There are so many Asian American-owned businesses that Chicago families love. We thought we'd share a few of our favorites so that you can enjoy them too!
LessZero doubts, one of the most memorable dining experiences for kids is their first hibachi dinner. The food is always piping hot and delicious, the prep performance is engaging and watching your meal come together before your eyes gives you a sense of coziness and connection. The goal of Ron Huang, owner of Shinto, is to create meals that are not only delicious but are visibly representative of the care and focus on quality that goes into making them.
Even Richard Kim's TOUS les JOURS business description will have you hooked: a Korean-inspired French bakery! TOURS les JOURS specializes in French-Asian inspired baked goods with a focus on quality ingredients. Their menu includes more than 300 kinds of bakery goods, including bread, pastries, cakes, desserts and beverages. They bake every day to ensure the freshest products.
Saying this old-fashioned toy store is packed to the rim isn't an exaggeration. Its three locations fill every nook with play-rich, high-quality toys and books. You'll find everything from developmental playthings for babies to science kits that grandparents can't keep their hands off of. Building Blocks is known for its deep selection of Thomas, Brio and Chuggington trains, but you'll also discover lesser-known finds. Owner Katherine Nguyen is passionate about supporting small, local companies.
Add some color and an Insta-worthy display to any celebration with a balloon installation from Bean and Boosh. Their creations range from 50 to 1000+ balloons and can be designed to match any budget, $125+.
Forgo the ordinary and take your kids on a tour of Asia via candy. At Aji Ichiban, you can take your pick from thousands of candies and sweet and salty snacks from Asia. The shrimp and squid flavored treats are especially interesting, while the wide range of sweet gummies are sure to be gobbled up in a flash. Customers are encouraged to sample before buying, making shopping for Halloween treats here especially sweet.
The tastes of Korea and Mexico beautifully melt together at David Choi's Seoul Taco. The menu is small, but big on taste and it's highly recommended you try the kimchi fried rice.
You may have shopped one of AKIRA's 32 stores, but did you know they began as a trendy boutique in Wicker Park? Started in 2002 by Eric Hsueh, Erikka Wang, Sarah Hughes, and Gordon Liao, AKIRA offers a full line of women's clothing, footwear and accessories from brands you know and even some of their own private label items. They're known for statement-making, trendy pieces, but they have a commitment to always remember their roots and represent Chicago in the fashion world.