Asian American & Pacific Islander Travel Guide

Absolutely. Orlando is home to a vibrant collection of Asian-owned restaurants representing cuisines from across Asia and the Pacific Islands. The city’s Mills 50® District, often referred to as Orlando’s Little Saigon, is a hub for Vietnamese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Laotian and other Asian cuisines. Orlando’s diverse culinary scene has also earned national recognition, with more than half of the destination’s MICHELIN Guide restaurants being Asian-owned or Asian-inspired.

Popular Asian-owned and operated eateries start with the MICHELIN Starred Sorekara (Orlando’s first Two-Star restaurant), Soseki Modern Omakase, Camille, and Kadence. They also include MICHELIN Bib Gourmands Domu and Sushi Saint, plus the MICHELIN Recommended EDOBOY, Kabooki Sushi, Kaya, Nami, Tori Tori, Chuan Fu, Gyukatsu Rose, June, JUJU, Kai Asian Street Fare, Kai Kai, Kappo Tsan, Morimoto Asia, Shin Jung, Sticky Rice, Twenty Pho Hour, Walala Hand-Pulled Noodle House, and YH Seafood Clubhouse.

Several Orlando locations reflect the history and cultural contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Mills 50 is especially significant, having been shaped by Vietnamese immigrants who settled in Orlando beginning in the 1970s. Today, the district remains a center for AAPI culture, businesses and dining.

Orlando’s Chinatown is another important cultural landmark, featuring authentic restaurants, specialty shops and a traditional Chinese paifang arch. You can explore more Asian influences at downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola Park, home to a Chinese ting gifted by Orlando's sister city of Guilin, China, and a Japanese-style rock garden and bridge gifted by Tainan City, Taiwan.

Orlando celebrates many important Asian American and Pacific Islander holidays and cultural traditions throughout the year. Annual events include Lunar New Year celebrations, the Central Florida Dragon Parade Lunar New Year Festival, and Florida’s largest Tet Festival, which honors the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.

Every May, Orlando also observes Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with cultural festivals, performances, exhibits, educational programs and special dining experiences. Additional celebrations throughout the year include the Orlando Japan Festival, Orlando Korea Festival, Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival and Asian Cultural Expo, and FusionFest, which showcases the many cultures that make up Central Florida's diverse community.