Explore Atlanta’s Asian and AANHPI Culture through Food, Community and Tradition

By Mary Welch

Last Updated March 13, 2026

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According to 2025 U.S. Census Bureau records, about 5% of Atlanta’s population is Asian only, with about 400,000 being AANHPI (Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander). That population has made and continues to make huge contributions to Atlanta through its people, food, culture and civic activities.

Award-Winning and Notable Culinary Experiences

Perhaps the most visible Asian and AANHPI contributions are culinary offerings. Of the 63 Atlanta restaurants recognized by the MICHELIN Guide, 15 are Asian or AANHPI, including Mujō, Omakase Table, Tomo, Kamayan ATL, Lazy Betty, Xian Gourmet House, Hayahawa and O by Brush. Others, such as Umi, Nakato, O-Ku, Trader Vic’s, Gu’s Dumplings and Top Spice are among Atlanta’s go-to places for family dinners and celebrations or they are simply choices for enjoying a great meal.

In many immigrant communities, one person starts a business and then the next generations foster it and expand it. That’s certainly the case with Ron Hsu whose mother, the not-so-lazy Betty, came from Taiwan when she was 19 and eventually opened Hunan Village. Ron grew up working in her restaurant, and with fellow chef Aaron Phillips opened Lazy Betty, which has earned a MICHELIN Star for three years in a row.  Ron’s siblings, Howard and Anita, melded their Asian roots with their Southern upbringing and opened Sweet Auburn Barbecue. The restaurant, located in the Poncey-Highland area, offers such blended dishes as pimento cheese wontons and Chinese-style BBQ ribs. The siblings have since opened a second location in nearby McDonough.

Notable

MGK Hospitality

Another example of this entrepreneurial fervor is Takashi Otsuka, founder and CEO of MGK Hospitality, which owns Wagaya Japanese Cuisine and Sushi Bar (two locations); Nagomiya, which focuses on sushi and izakaya tapas; Wagaya Groceries and Wagaya Fish Market.

Nan Thai Fine Dining

Born in Bangkok, chef Nan Niyomkul opened her first restaurant, Nan Thai Fine Dining, and later, with her husband, Charlie, and daughter, DeeDee Niyomkul, expanded their culinary reach with Tamarind Group Restaurants that include Tuk Tut Thai Food Loft and Nan Thai Buckhead.

Nakato

Another noteworthy restaurant — some would say it’s the granddaddy (or in this case, the grandma) — of Japanese restaurants in Atlanta is Nakato. Tetsuko Nakato opened a small restaurant in Midtown in 1972 and pretty much introduced Atlantans to sushi, hibachi and teppanyaki dining. Today, her granddaughter, Sachiyo (Sachi) Nakato Takahara, oversees the Cheshire Bridge Road restaurant and continues the tradition of hospitality.

Trader Vic’s

For an AANHPI experience, you’ll get none better than heading over to the Hilton Hotel and Trader Vic’s to order a Mai Tai, which was invented by the restaurant’s owner. Trader Vic’s was founded in 1934 by Victor Jules Bergeron Jr., who opened the Polynesian-themed restaurant in Oakland, Calif. While he may not have invented the tiki bar (he certainly popularized it), he is credited with inventing the Mai Tai, as well as the Fog Cutter and Scorpion Bow. While there are 25 Trader Vic’s around the world, there are only four in this country — including the one in Atlanta. More are planned for the United States.

Whether you want a high-priced MICHELIN omakase experience or just need a quick Chinese takeout or ramen, there is an Asian or an AANHPI restaurant waiting to take your order.

Cultural Events

While food is usually the best introduction to a culture, Atlanta offers a variety of festivals and cultural events that offer a broader experience of the Asian and AANHPI influence.

Panda Fest

The interactive panda-themed food and culture experience Panda Fest returns to Atlanta in April. The festival is one of the biggest outdoor Asian food festivals with more than 300 vendors selling food and merchandise. There will be panda-related merchandise, panda inflatables and a panda bounce house plus Asian culture performances.

JapanFest

JapanFest is supported by the Japan-American Society of Georgia and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia as well as many corporations. Every year it attracts thousands from around the Southeast and not only offers the best of Japanese food but also cultural exhibits such as bonsai, ikebana flower arranging, origami and kimono fittings.

JapanFest also highlights the economic impact between the U.S. and Japan with many of the 500 to 600 Japanese-affiliated companies based in Georgia displaying their products and services, including technology, automobiles, tractors, electronics, video games and virtual reality. 

Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year is celebrated throughout Atlanta in sites such as Stone Mountain Park and Atlantic Station, but a favorite is sponsored by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta. Not only does the festival, held in Chamblee, attract a number of local, state and international officials, but there are tents with brimming with local Taiwanese food and cultural promotions. The lion and dragon dances are a festival highlight.

Explore more ways to celebrate Chinese New Year in Atlanta.

Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

The 29th annual Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival takes place Sept. 12 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Gainesville. More than 10,000 attend and 75 teams participate. In addition to the race, there are vendors and cultural events.

Lantern Festivals

Lantern festivals take place throughout Atlanta. One of the most popular is the Beltline Lantern Parade, which brings together thousands of people and hundreds of lanterns as participants walk the Beltline and celebrate Atlanta — and maybe have a nibble of food and drink along the way. Other lantern festivals take place in Gwinnett County, at Zoo Atlanta and in Sandy Springs.

Asian Night Market

Every fourth Friday, head over to Pullman Yards and enjoy the Asian Night Market that offers AAPI food vendors as well as artists and crafters.

Cherry Blossom Festivals

Cherry Blossom festivals join the Dogwood Festival as being a rite of spring. One local event is the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival.

Continue to explore Asian culture in Atlanta by checking out these Asian restaurants in Atlanta.

Mary Welch is an award-winning writer who has reported on the maturity off Atlanta’s culinary and hospitality scene as well as its growth as a sophisticated international city. Her byline has been seen in local and national outlets such as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Travelgirl, Global Atlanta, and American Lawyer covering topics such as travel, business, cars, law, hospitality and education. She co-authored a book with Chuck Leavell, the keyboardist for the Rolling Stones and a Georgia tree farmer, on the future of the American forest.

Originally Published March 31, 2025