(updated May 2024)

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! I was reflecting earlier this year on how little I’ve celebrated my mixed race heritage in the past and how I’d like to start embracing it more openly now. As a Hapa (Korean and Swedish/Ecuadorian) I’ve often felt confused by my heritage and was more focused on blending in than embracing my uniqueness.

It took nearly 30 years to finally feel confident with my cultural background and I’m excited to do more to share it with you all on my blog and social channels.

I’ve been thinking of creating this roundup ever since sharing my Black Owned Small Businesses blog post last year and in honor of AAPI month, I’m happy to finally bring it to fruition. Below you’ll find a roundup of over 100 Asian owned brands, small businesses and creatives that I really love and think you’ll enjoy as well.

If you have other favorites that you’d like to see added to this list, please don’t hesitate to send me a DM or email so I can update this!

HOME DECOR & ESSENTIALS

1. Wing on Wo & Co: The oldest store in Chinatown, New York, offering a wide array of beautiful porcelain ware and other home goods. They are also home to the W.O.W. Project which runs several initiatives to preserve and nurture Chinatown’s creative culture through arts and activism. 

2. Rooted: The perfect place to go if you’re looking to grow your indoor jungle. In addition to individual plants, they also offer really fun plant bundles like this Baby Mystery Jungle Box!
3. Poketo: Online marketplace offering home goods, stationary, and more! Everything they offer has an element of playfulness that’ll bring a pop of joy to your home.
4. Society Social: A one-stop shop for all things home from furniture to home decor to hostess gifts
5. OM Ceramic: LA-based ceramicist and artist Carrie Lau loves making products with joyful colors and shapes. They’re a bit of a splurge, but perfect if you’re looking for something special to add a little whimsy to your home. 
6. ILHA Candles: Candles and diffusers that are handcrafted in New York with cotton wicks, soy wax and toxin-free fragrances
7. Blueland: Eco-friendly and nontoxic cleaning supplies designed to help you minimize your plastic waste 
8. Welcome to the Jungle Home: Plant tarps, candles, plant lady jewelry and plant consultations by my friend Phoebe!
9. The Sill: Another easy plant delivery option that also offers other goodies like bouquets and cute gardening accessories 
10. Virginia Sin: Unique ceramic pieces that will add a touch of whimsy to your home 
11. Wooj Design: Charming and playful home accessories including their super popular wave lamps 
12. Our Place: I’m in love with my Always pan from this brand, and they also carry other great kitchen essentials and tableware! 
13. Rikumo: a lifestyle brand that features simple, beautiful products from Japanese artisans and craftsmen
14. Material Kitchen: kitchen essentials brand that prioritizes sustainability and giving back to community organizations
15. Makana Candles: clean, handmade candles focused on fresh, botanical scents and inspired by the Hawaiian values of slowing down, preserving traditions, and celebrating connection with the land and sea.

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

1. Sundays: Nontoxic nail care and polish in a wide variety of beautiful shades {Use code: Headstandsandheels for a 10% discount}
2. Cocokind: Clean and cruelty-free skincare at affordable prices

3. Clean Circle: Reusable organic cotton pads that are perfect for removing makeup at the end of the day or applying toners and serums
4. Mount Lai: Beauty tools based in traditional Chinese medicine, including gorgeous facial rollers and gua sha sets
5. EIR NYC: Clean, functional skincare products made with athletes and outdoor enthusiasts in mind. Many of Eir’s products incorporate medicinal herbs and therapeutic essential oils to help speed recovery and promote healing. 
6. Cocofloss: Dr. Chrystle Cu designs fun floss (yes, you read that right!) that comes in delicious scents like coconut, watermelon, and Cara Cara orange. 

7. Wylde One: Plant-powered wellness essentials such as lattes and elixirs that harness the power of adaptogens to help you feel amazing
8. YINA: Skincare products that blend modern wellness rituals with traditional Chinese medicine. 
9. Tatcha: Clean, minimal makeup and skincare essentials rooted in Japanese tradition
10. Glow Recipe: Clean, vegan, and cruelty-free skincare brand that celebrates realistic beauty expectations and gives you that radiant glow
11. Fable & Mane: Nourishing hair care brand rooted in Indian traditions and dedicated to supporting conservation and wildlife habitat restoration efforts
12. Live Tinted: clean beauty brand well-known for their award-winning, multi-purpose huesticks which can be used on the eyes, lips, and cheeks
13. Summer Fridays: Co-founded by two beauty influencers who set out to build their dream beauty line and ended up creating award-winning products like the Jet Lag Mask 
14. Pink Moon: Skincare that integrates ancient eastern healing practices into modern daily rituals
15. Tower 28: Struggling with chronic eczema, founder Amy Liu was inspired to take her 15+ years of experience in the beauty industry and use it to build a skincare and makeup brand that offers fun products for those with sensitive skin

FITNESS & FASHION

1. Nylora: Chic activewear that can take you effortlessly from your workout to your brunch plans
2. Alala: Designer activewear that will make you want to wear your workout fit all day long

3. POPFLEX Active: Activewear and workout accessories brought to you by Cassey Ho of Blogilates (you might have spotted Taylor Swift wearing the lilac pirouette skort!)
4. Petite Studio NYC: High-quality slow fashion line designed with petites in mind and made in their exclusive factory where workers are treated and compensated fairly.  
5. Pepper: Better-fitting bras for small busts
6. HeyMaeve: Luxury gold plated jewelry with an affordable price
7. JW Pei: Trendy vegan handbags with a focus on sustainability
8. Maiya: Bold, colorful yoga mats that are sweat resistant and sustainably produced
9. Lo & Sons: Family-owned brand that makes high-quality, thoughtfully designed travel products with sustainability in mind
10. Carry Kismet: Beautiful embroidered tote bags and pouches
11. CalPak: Family-owned brand that specializes in cute and versatile travel bags and accessories 
12. SoYoung: Stylish, functional accessories including travel pouches, lunch bags, and picnic totes
13. Pixie Mood: Chic vegan leather purses, backpacks, and accessories
14. Warm Clay Co: The cutest clay jewelry, lovingly handmade and designed to make you smile. 
15. Asian American Girl Club: A community and apparel company that’s all about redefining what it means to be a modern Asian American woman.
16. Girlfriend Collective: this popular sustainable activewear brand is known for their bright colors, recycled materials and ethical production.

FOOD BRANDS & COOKBOOKS

1. Diaspora Co: Vibrant and flavorful spices grown using regenerative and sustainable farming practices
2. Om Som: Sisters Vanessa and Kim Pham partner with chefs to make starters that have all the sauces, aromatics, and seasonings you need to make delicious dishes like Korean Spicy Bulgogi or Thai Larb.
3. Dang Foods: Healthy, plant-based snack foods inspired by Thai recipes created by the founders’ mom. 
4. Nguyen Coffee: Delicious, organic Vietnamese coffee that is ethically sourced 
5. Alaya Tea: Organic and biodynamic teas sourced directly from farms in India that treat their workers kindly and use sustainable farming practices
6. Us Two Tea: A variety of teas sourced from small family-owned farms in Taiwan packaged in nontoxic, biodegradable sachets
7. Mooncakes and Milk Bread cookbook: This cookbook by Kristina Cho (@eatchofood) features sweet and savory recipes inspired by Chinese bakeries
8. Kolkata Chai: A collection of delicious chai blends that focus on authentic flavors and make it easy to prepare the perfect cup at home
9. Korean Vegan cookbook: Joanne Lee Molinaro’s cookbook combines beautiful storytelling and over 80 delicious plant-based recipes
10. Brightland: If you’re looking to up your game in the kitchen with little effort, check out these high-quality olive oils, vinegars, and honey made with locally sourced ingredients from California
11. Tenderheart: A cookbook that is absolutely packed with flavorful, delicious vegetable recipes and a loving homage to author Hetty Lui McKinnon’s father 
12. Start Here: Sohla El-Waylly’s cookbook is equal parts a collection of unique recipes and a guide to becoming a better cook 
13. Yishi: Inspired by her childhood in China, founder Lin Jiang set out to make breakfast less boring and more nutritious by bringing unique Asian flavors to her line of oatmeal blends and packing them with superfoods, protein, and fiber.
14. Moshi: Sparkling drinks with fun Asian-inspired flavors like Asian Pear & White Miso and White Peach & Yuzu

ARTISTS

1. Amanda Rach Lee (@amandarachlee): YouTuber and artist who will inspire you to start bullet journaling with all of her beautiful spreads and “doodle planner”
2. Mimi Chao (@mimochai): An artist and illustrator who makes gorgeous pieces about imagination and mindfulness
3. Dory (@bigbluetang): One of my favorite artists who makes dreamy gouache paintings 
4. Bobo Designs (@bobodesignstudio): Illustrator, muralist, and designer who creates travel-inspired stationary, art, and accessories
5. Sherry Lee (@sherryloustudio): Illustrator and designer with a cheerful and colorful style
6. Caitlin Lam (@caitshouse): Cait takes her sketchbook with her everywhere and shares her sketches of NYC, food, and people she encounters around the city.
7. Christina Kwan (@christina.kwan.art): Artist and muralist who paints abstract pieces inspired by natural landscapes and the calligraphy practices of her East Asian heritage.
8. Sushma Hedge (@sushhedge): A super talented watercolor artist who creates beautiful flower and landscape paintings
9. Erin Ng (@eringgg): Food & restaurant photographer whose work highlights many Asian-owned businesses in San Francisco.
10. Crescent Cheng (@crescentcheng): LA-based oil painter who draws inspiration from daily life, her mental health journey, and her Hawaiian upbringing. 
11. Wini Lao (@winilaophotos): My go-to NYC-based photographer who specializes in product photography and stop motions
12. Shelly (@someshellyphotography): Another amazing NYC-based photographer with a very light and airy editing style

CONTENT CREATORS

1. Remi Ishizuka (@rrayyme): Fitness blogger with a home workout program, adorable pets (chickens, dogs and a bunny) and lots of healthy lifestyle tips
2. Wendy (@thekwendyhome): Home decor blogger with one of my favorite decorating styles, lots of plants and colorful boho interior design
3. Janice Liou (@janiceliou): Super talented yoga teacher with an awesome yoga program and lots of gorgeous, whimsical photos
4. Cassey Ho (@blogilates): Founder of POPFLEX and one of my favorite pilates-focused fitness accounts
5. Chelsea Yamase (@chelseakauai): Incredible adventurer, free diver, and yogi with the most stunning travel photos
6. Joanna and Grace (@exercisewithextrafries): The cutest sister duo with lots of fun and humorous fitness content 
7.  Jasmine Ricks (@lifewithjazz): Fashion blogger and founder of a jewelry company who shares really cute capsule closet essentials and minimalist style
8. Aditi Shah (@diti22): Peloton Yoga instructor and one of my mentors during my yoga teacher training at Yoga Vida
9. Remy Morimoto Park (@veggiekins): Vegan wellness blogger who’s an amazing resource for delicious vegan and gluten-free recipes
10. Allie Tong (@allie.eats): San Fransisco based food blogger sharing delicious eats in the Bay area
11. Minna Lee (@minnaleejamison): Wellness content creator who focuses on conscious living + mental health and provides lots of cute corgi content as a bonus
12. Joy Cho (@ohjoy): Designer who will give you all the inspiration you need for joyful home decor and interior design
13. Amy Ho (@constellationinspiration): An amazing baker who makes the most delightful treats 
14. Helen Au (@_withhelen): Lifestyle creator whose feed is full of the most beautiful cafe, travel, and food photography.
15. Tina Lee (@tinalee): Travel vlogger with incredible editing skills who offers courses for other content creators who want to up-level their video
16. The Woks of Life (@thewoksoflife): Chinese cooking blog run by a family of foodies
17. Anna Hiran (@anna.hiran): Wall Street-turned-dancer who’s fun to follow for dance videos and BTS of life as a professional dancer
18. Arina Negishi (@arina.negishi): Miami-based wellness, skincare, and lifestyle blogger

BOOKS BY AAPI AUTHORS

1. Yu & Me Books: Bookstore based in Chinatown, New York, with a mission to highlight diverse voices, especially immigrant stories
2. Create Your Own Calm: Guided journal written and illustrated by Meera Lee Patel to empower you to navigate feelings of overwhelm and anxiety and create space for reflection and growth.
3. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang: A psychological thriller that follows the chaotic fallout of a single decision and explores racial identity, cultural appropriation, and the Asian American experience.
4. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang: A heartwarming romance with a neurodivergent protagonist
5. Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng: Prompted by a mysterious letter, twelve-year-old Bird Gardner goes on a journey to find his mother who disappeared when he was nine 
6. Know My Name by Chanel Miller: A powerful memoir in which Miller confronts issues of sexual assault, trauma, and her journey to reclaim her voice and identity.
7. Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang: A collection of science fiction stories, including the one that inspired the movie Arrival
8. The Parted Earth by Anjali Enjeti: A historical fiction that spans multiple generations, exploring complicated family dynamics and the impacts of the Partition of India.
9. One Last Word by Suzanne Park: A grown-up twist on To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
10. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han: A young adult romance trilogy that served as the inspiration for the popular Amazon Prime show