Did you know May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month?
In honor of AAPI, we have scoured the state of New Jersey for eight small businesses shaping the New Jersey landscape.
The best way to support the Asian American Pacific Islander community is to shop at AAPI-owned businesses. From trendy eateries to other businesses to innovative startups, 8 AAPI business owners are making their mark in communities across New Jersey.
What is AAPI Heritage Month?
Let’s start with the acronym AAPI, Asian American Pacific Islander. AAPI Heritage Month is observed in the United States during May.
During May, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are recognized for their contributions and influences on the history, culture, and achievements of the U.S.
Spice Up Your Life with These AAPI Culinary Gems
Here are five AAPI-owned businesses that will tantalize your taste buds at every bite:
Keming
Location: 1006 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ
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This Chinese restaurant is a gem, serving lunch and dinner options. With Hoboken, NJ, having such a vibrant food scene, it takes a unique restaurant to hold its own in the community. An authentic sit-down-style Chinese restaurant opened in 2016. Keming brings a little Asia to New Jersey, serving American Chinese food to the community and, recently, authentic Chinese dishes like dim sum and hotpot.
Keming and his family moved to Hoboken and noticed the need for an authentic Chinese sit-down restaurant. Mr. Cui’s son, Keming, is the restaurant’s business namesake and said, “We have a lot of regular customers, both American and Chinese.”
Ahri’s Kitchen
Location: 227 7th Street, Jersey City, NJ
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This cozy establishment is named after the owner’s daughter, Ahri. Ahri’s Kitchen is a family-owned and operated business in Jersey City, NJ. Known for its upbeat counter-serve eatery, Ahri’s Kitchen offers contemporary décor and traditional mouthwatering Korean fare.
Opened in 2015, the restaurant offers a dining experience for the lone eater and a group—a quick bite, a healthy lunch, or an intimate dinner. “All of the recipes we use are based on the grandma’s cookbook,” said Joy Sterling, senior employee. A fan favorite is the homemade grandma’s dumplings, with Sterling saying the dumplings “sell like hotcakes.”
Ani Ramen House
Location: Montclair, Jersey City, Cranford, Maplewood, & Summit, NJ
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“Ani” translates to “eldest brother” in English from Japanese, and the brand says that a sense of family and hospitality extends across all the concepts, from food to décor.
With various locations in Montclair, Jersey City, Cranford, Maplewood, and Summit, Ani Ramen House serves authentic Japanese ramen and small plates in a cozy, modern setting.
Their tonkatsu ramen is a fan favorite, made with a rich, creamy pork broth.
Bang Cookies
Location: Jersey City (Heights), Jersey City (Downtown), & East Rutherford NJ
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Bang Cookies was founded by George Kuan in 2016 when he became dissatisfied with the types of cookies available on the market. Started initially at local farmers’ markets, they have become a staple nationwide.
Bang Cookies offers a luxe experience for cookies—all-natural, high-quality ingredients, organic, rich, and sinfully delicious; these cookies are to die for with a glass of milk.
The base cookie recipe is a family recipe. It is proprietary and protected; only select staff members are privy to it. However, the base cookie creates unique flavors like Sea Salt Chocolate Chunk, Kitchen Sink, and S’mores Cookie.
Chatni Indian Restaurant
Location: 381 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair, NJ
A staple in the Montclair community since 2013. Chatni Indian Restaurant is the go-to spot for Indian cuisine, including a selection of authentic Nepalese dishes served with local chatnis made from scratch.
The Chicken Tikka Masala is a fan favorite and has become synonymous with Chatni’s brand. It consists of tender, juicy pieces of chicken marinated in an aromatic blend of spices and cooked to perfection in a rich sauce.
Chatni has expanded its menu to include Nepalese specialties like momos, which are freshly made in-house daily.
Celebrating AAPI Entrepreneurship
Here are three other businesses from AAPI-owned businesses shaping the culture and future of the New Jersey entrepreneurial industry:
Brow Fix Studio + Academy
Location: 47 S Park St., Montclair, NJ
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Let’s venture into the beauty industry and skincare industry! Ms. Karisma “Kaye” Pabon has over 20 years of experience providing aesthetic skincare and permanent makeup. From working with high-end brands such as Christian Dior and Crème De La Mer to being a licensed esthetician and permanent makeup artist in NYC & N.J., she is paving the way in the N.J. beauty scene.
Brow Fix Studio + Academy is a woman-owned AAPI business that transforms eyebrows and eyelashes with microblading, tattooing, or permanent makeup. Now an educator, Ms. Kaye teaches the next generation of permanent makeup artists the art of the craft through eyebrow microblading, lash lift, brow lamination, and permanent makeup.
Juniper Yoga + Fitness
Location: 213 Bellevue Ave., Montclair, NJ
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Co-founded by Mary Grace and Tina Pizarro. These sisters have a remarkable story—they moved to New Jersey from the Philippines as teenagers and have since dedicated their lives to practicing and sharing yoga with the community.
Mary Grace pursued health and fitness in college and became a personal trainer, while Tina initially pursued a corporate career. However, in 2016, the two sisters combined their passion for yoga and entrepreneurship to create a successful business.
Juniper Yoga + Fitness was born from a deep passion for wellness and a vision to create a sanctuary where individuals could explore and grow in their health journeys. At the heart of Juniper lies a commitment to fostering resilience, promoting inner peace and mental health, and building a supportive community where every member feels empowered to overcome life’s challenges and embrace their full potential.
Terrace Plant Shop
Location: 416 Main St., Metuchen, NJ
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It was founded by Filipino American Peter John Dario, a family-owned plant company specializing in plant design, rental, maintenance, and rare houseplants. Dario created the store and creative event space to help support the Metuchen community heal after the pandemic.
Walk into the Terrace Plant Shop; you’re walking into a calm, lush jungle oasis. Started in 2021, “I opened this business up during the pandemic just to give everyone that sense of normalcy, to bring the community together so everybody can grow together,” explains Dario.
It is the prime essence of the family; Terrace Plant Shop was created from loss but honored his father and grandfather with tiny mementos throughout the business. Opening a plant store was an homage to and inspiration from his mother, who was raised on a farm in the Philippines surrounded by plants.
Embrace the Flavors of Diversity, One Business at a Time
We discovered that New Jersey’s vibrant and diverse Asian American community and the Pacific Islander Communities have contributed significantly to the state’s economy and cultural fabric.
The 8 AAPI-owned brands highlighted in this article represent just a tiny sample of the many excellent AAPI-owned establishments worth patronizing across New Jersey. From restaurants showcasing regional cuisines to retailers offering unique products and services, these businesses provide an opportunity to experience the rich heritage of Asian and Pacific Islander cultures.
By spending your dollars at these establishments and businesses, you are directly uplifting AAPI artists, entrepreneurs, and leaders and sending a powerful message that their contributions are valued in local communities across the Garden State.
Explore AAPI businesses and culture in your area. You will be sure to discover new favorites and resources while fostering a more inclusive economic landscape.
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