A Guide to AAPI-Owned Shops & Boutiques in Greater Philadelphia

The newest shop by Rachael Compton of by ren, Aiyah offers “curated objects for sacred spaces” that merge quality, artistry and design. Aiyah, a Cantonese expression for surprise, is the concept behind the shop, which sells rings, earrings, hair clips, incense holders, homewares and accessories. Compton employs a variety of metals to suit various styles and preferences, which are perfect for custom engagement and wedding rings.

When your pup needs a blowout, look no further than ham + bone. With two locations — one in Fishtown and another in Queen Village — the shop, owned by Amy Ko, offers apparel, accessories, food, treats and toys for both dogs and cats.

Shoppers looking to add some sparkle to their lives shouldn’t miss South Philly’s Lala Boutique, where ample supplies of rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces are always in stock.

Rows of pastel gifts — from anime figures to stationery — line this whimsical Chinatown shop. Expect a K-pop soundtrack while shopping for K-pop merch, clothes, plushies and more.

Brothers Rick and Ky Cao have been selling stylish men’s streetwear at P’s & Q’s since 2012. The South Street shop has garnered a dedicated following among tastemakers thanks to custom merch collaborations with restaurants like Càphê Roasters, “Home Team” SnapBacks Phillies caps limited releases and rotating in-house P’s & Q’s collections.

Celebrating Japanese craftsmanship, design and aesthetics, Rikumo carries Japanese-made office, kitchen, bath and other home goods, including sleek ceramics, minimalistic bath towels and organic Japanese teas. After closing their Walnut Street shop at the end of 2020, husband-and-wife ownership team Kaz and Yuka Morihata moved their operations to Ardmore.

Longtime friends and business partners Lisa Maita and Kelli Mercado are both daughters of Filipino immigrants who bring their cultural heritage and childhood fun to fine jewelry. Sisterfriend is a line of cute, joyful and singular pieces that have earned them mentions in Vogue and Nylon magazines; they’ve even styled Michelle Zauner, author and frontwoman of stand-out Philly band Japanese Breakfast. Gold and silver spam musubi necklaces, mango pendants and persimmon earrings are all made to order online or by appointment.

Occupying a pair of storefronts on South Street, Totem Brand Co. and Totem Outdoor focus on Japanese contemporary style and outdoor lifestyle apparel, respectively. Founded by Phillip Yi, both Totem shops carry men’s and women’s tops, footwear, outerwear, outdoor equipment and more.

In the market for some custom jewelry? Look no further than Workshop Underground, an independent jeweler in Graduate Hospital. Owner Ruben Luna offers custom engagement ring services as well as collections of necklaces, earrings and bracelets adorned with pearls, gemstones and gold.

If you’re a fashionista, Bella Boutique is your luxury consignment and resale shop. Owner Domonique Kim Schroom has been consigning, buying and selling high-end designer items for over 20 years. Their collection includes Gucci, Louis Vuitton bags, Burberry clothing, Versace sunglasses, Juicy Couture velour track suits and more. Ask the knowledgeable staff about seasonal items considered for commission.

Get your bike tuned up and grab a coffee at Kayuh Bicycles and Cafe. (Kayuh translates to “cycle” or “pedal” in Malay.) Owner Henry Sam took the reins of the business at the ripe age of 20 and steered the business through the worst of the pandemic. In addition to bike tune-ups (they even offer mobile bike repair that comes right to your home) and caffeinated beverages, Kayuh stocks spare parts and merchandise.

This husband-and-wife operation is about connecting with the natural world, creating furniture pieces that evoke feelings of peace, balance or simplicity. John Geating (Chinese-European) and Gina Kim (Korean-American) specialize in sustainable woodworking and cabinetry (cherry, oak, redwood, maple woods, etc.) to build long-lasting and kid-tested, well-designed pieces that bring warmth and comfort to homes. Think coffee tables, dining chairs, cutting boards, house doors, bed frames, kitchen islands and desks.

Helping you navigate the landscape of traditional Chinese medicine is Long Life Chinese Herbs. Hailing from four generations of Chinese herbalists, the shop offers guidance and insight into its products, including herbal teas, oils, extracts and more.

Date night, anyone? DIY candle-pouring and floral arrangement spot Loomen Labs opened in 2021, helmed by co-owners Jordan Cook and Jeff Yu. Visitors can choose a candle jar, customize their fragrance and create their very own candle (or two). You can also sign up for a floral arrangement class to craft your own bouquet. Don’t forget to bring some bevs — this spot is BYOB.

The three-story (!) fantasy-style tavern on South Street — run by Jeannie Wong and Edward Garcia — features two dedicated bars, outdoor seating, a massive board game library with 2,000-plus titles, and a retro video game arcade. Recent additions include monthly live-action role-playing events and a fandom-inspired food and drink menu.

One of Chinatown’s most popular shopping stops for Hello Kitty gear is You & Me. This ground-floor market and toy store on the ground floor also has a large selection of toys, snacks, gifts, cosmetic beauty products and even claw machines to retrieve stuffed animals. Also connected to You & Me is EnJoy Market, a basement-level grocery and kitchen supply store.

Adopted Korean American Kelly Wright opened this small storefront in the Bok building to link people of color who are intimidated by DIY projects or are new to the craft with everyday tools and supplies. YUNS counters technology dependency and convenience culture as a space to learn and solve problems on a tactile level and with a “mom-and-pop store” community mindset. Visitors can buy items like safety glasses, screwdrivers, multi-tool boxes, wrench sets and more — all of which have a modern but practical design.

This two-story grocery opened in late 2019 and features seafood and produce on the first floor and nonperishables, snacks and refrigerated goods on the second. People shop here for hot pot meats, seafood, chicken, beef, drumsticks, live crabs and moon cakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Spanning a number of cultures and cuisines, Chung May Food Market offers Japanese snacks, Thai ice pops, a wide variety of tea, noodles, produce, candy, sauces and beyond.

Ebisu Japanese Life Store was founded in Osaka, Japan, in October 2013 and opened its doors in Philadelphia 10 years later. This store has shelves with a wide range of Japanese products, including snacks, drinks, beauty products, household items, kitchenware and even an action figure dispenser. It also shares a space with Mochinut, a popular dessert chain.

Stocking foods and ingredients from Southeast Asia to the Himalayan Mountains, Friendly Market specializes in rare dry goods from Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, India and Pakistan. Run by Sovannary Heang and her husband Julio Carlos, the shop’s robust selection ensures you’ll always walk away with a new-to-you spice.

Customers rave about the samosas at West Philly’s International Foods & Spices, run by Paul Singh. Aside from prepared dishes, the grocery is your go-to spot for rice and grains, curry powder, dried red peppers and so much more.

Indulge those snack cravings at meishi meike, a gourmet snack shop in Chinatown. On the shelves: high-quality dry goods (like instant ramen), fresh jellyfish, and various beauty and skincare products

For imported snacks you won’t find anywhere else, look no further than S. Mart. The small space is packed to the brim with chips, cookies, mochi, specialty drinks, and noodles from China, Japan and Korea.

Among the many international vendors you’ll find in the Italian Market is Tran’s Produce. Run by Be and Hoa Tran, the couple sell produce like oranges, tomatoes, cucumbers, pineapple and more.

Looking to spice up your ’do? Artiva Hair Salon can help with stylists who nail vivid colors, highlights and cuts. Owner Ying Jing has been offering cuts in Philadelphia for over a decade, styling both men and women’s hair.

This nail salon on South Street was named a Best of Philly 2024 winner by Philadelphia magazine for its dip powder manicures and nail art. Boutique Nail Cafe also offers full care for nails, toes, brows and lashes.

Offering acupuncture, Chinese medicine, cupping and more at its locations in Chinatown and King of Prussia (as well as Marlton, New Jersey), the team at Core Acupuncture aims to get you feeling your best via all-natural approaches. Owner Dr. Yanqun Zhong has been practicing acupuncture and Chinese medicine locally for nearly 20 years and, before that, worked as an internist and liver specialist at a hospital in China.

From Botox and lip fillers to chemical peels and laser acne treatment, Everest Medspa has an expansive catalog of aesthetic and wellness services. Board-certified internal medicine physician Dr. Xiaobin Li leads the team of medical professionals who help you achieve a natural beauty look.

Spruce up your get-up at this Chinatown salon, a stone’s throw from Reading Terminal Market. Whether you’re looking for a total overhaul (color, cut, blowout) or just a shape-up, the hairstylists on staff transform your look.

Founded by two sisters, Indulge Nail Studio’s Madison and Heather Pham are unparalleled in their nail art. Seriously: Their intricate Eagles logo nail designs made the local news. Whether you want crystal nail tips or just an OG mani, your hands will be the envy of all. Go all out and book a pedi and an eyelash tint, too.

Your one-stop shop for Korean beauty products, K-Beauty Outlet is a Chinatown-based sanctuary for skincare aficionados. You’ll want to take your time perusing through the ultra-organized shelves of face masks, cleansing oils, body mists, hair serum and beyond, lovingly curated by owner Stella Cho.

Pamper yourself from head to toe at La Palette, where you can get natural-looking eyelash extensions, facials, manicures and pedicures in Chinatown.

Thanks to Sharon Cheung and her team at Lash Boutique, long, luscious lashes are in your future. Offering classic, hybrid and volume full lash sets along with lash lifts and tints, the salon treats every lash like it’s the star of the show. The salon also offers additional services such as brow lamination and waxing. Plus, the boutique’s team members educate clients on proper after-care, so they get the most out of their glam look.

With A-list clients such as Britney Spears and Beverly Johnson, Laurentius Purnama’s eponymous Italian Market hair salon brings Hollywood glamour to South Philly. Whether you need a few highlights or a glam look for an event, Laurentius Salon has you covered.

For a personalized nail salon experience, book an appointment with Sarah Lam at Lucky Gloss Nails. Lam, a former restaurant general manager, grew up in nail salons working at her Vietnamese-Cambodian-American family’s salons at a young age during summer school breaks. She started Lucky Gloss to help folks struggling with nail-biting and provides a caring and judgment-free space to receive “builder gel manicures.” Whether you want to grow out your nails, need natural nail care or want to show off cute nail art, Lucky Gloss can help.

Keratin treatments, updos and men’s styling are all on the menu of services at Neta’s Beauty Salon, where highlights, vibrant colors and sleek styles are always the order of the day.

Pain Away of Philly focuses on traditional Chinese medicinal massage to help relieve pain from arthritis, disc herniation, sciatica, muscle strain and more. Traditional Chinese medicine treatments include acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, as well as other massage techniques like Swedish massage and sports massage. Owner Bin Wang has over 30 years of experience in Chinese medicinal treatments.

Whether you’re in the market for a trim or a big chop, some highlights or a blowout, your tresses are in for a treat at Room 209. Expect to spend some time here, as haircuts come with a scalp massage.

Adeline Koh made the pivot from academia to beauty and began making her own skincare products to give to friends. Now, the public can score those products at her Bok-based brick-and-mortar shop, Sabbatical Beauty. There you’ll find small-batch cleansers, toners, masks, serums and moisturizers packed with beneficial active ingredients.

If you’re considering a new look, trust the pros at Seng’s Salon, a family-run operation opened in 1986 by founder Seng Sananikone. From bold and trendy styles to complete transformations (plenty of satisfied platinum blondes), Seng’s Salon caters to hair lengths and textures of all kinds.

From South Philly to Center City and beyond, the region’s Asian-owned restaurants satisfy hungry customers with traditional and innovative dishes that offer tastes of China, India, Thai, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Burma, Sumatra, Taiwan and more. Beyond flavors of Asian origin, Asian American entrepreneurs are behind some of the region’s most excellent destinations for fine dining, fine wine and fine donuts. Head right this way for our roundup of Asian-owned restaurants. Don’t know where to start? Philly’s Chinatown is unquestionably one of the best dining neighborhoods in the city.