AAPI Community & Culture in Saint Paul

Celebrate Saint Paul's incredible Asian American and Pacific Islander community through our guide to local restaurants, businesses, and artistic organizations to support.

Hmong Community
Arts & Culture
Eat & Drink
Community Organizations
Little Mekong
Explore More

Celebrate AAPI Culture

Observed as Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, May honors and celebrates the impact and achievements of AAPI culture in history. As a city that speaks over 100 languages, Saint Paul takes pride in the range of unique cultures and diverse heritages that make up the fabric of our community.

Whether its exploring exhibits, attending local events or delving in to tasty and authentic cuisine, you're sure to experience the best Saint Paul has to offer at these AAPI establishments.

Hmong History in the Capital City

Saint Paul is home to one of the largest Hmong populations in the country! Discover how you can immerse yourself in the vibrant traditions of this prominent capital city community through rich history, annual celebrations and delicious cuisine.

Arts & Culture

CAAM Chinese Dance Center

Founded in 1992, CAAM Chinese Dance Theater is the oldest and largest arts and dance academy in the Midwest. They are dedicated to preserving and celebrating Chinese cultural heritage. Every year, they connect more than 10,000 audience members and nearly 200 dancers to the heart of dance and the soul of China.

Learn More

Center for Hmong Arts and Talent

The Center for Hmong Arts and Talent (CHAT) has nurtured Hmong artists, creating a platform for them to share their art and advocating for a more vibrant Hmong community through the arts. CHAT exists to nurture, explore and illuminate the Hmong American experience through artistic expressions.

Charlotte partridge Ordway Japanese Garden

Located at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, The Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden represents the peace and friendship between Saint Paul and its sister city Nagasaki, Japan. Designed by renowned landscape designer from Nagasaki, Masami Matsuda, the garden boasts a true Japanese design using hardy plants and trees in Minnesota and is meant to delight your senses.

Learn More

Exposed Brick Theatre

Founded in 2004 by Aamera Siddiqui & Suzy Messerole, Exposed Brick Theatre is dedicated to telling untold stories, centering omitted narratives and creating art at the intersection of identities. Their vision is to live in an empathetic world where people and their stories are valued.

Learn More

Theater Mu

Since 1992, Theater Mu has been dedicated to bringing Asian American voices to the Twin Cities theater community. Theater Mu produces great performances born of arts, equity, and justice from the heart of the Asian American experience while celebrating and empowering Asian Americans through Theater.

Learn More

Phalen Regional Park China Friendship Garden

In 1988, the City of Saint Paul and sister-city Changsha in Hunan Province of China began the project to bring the first Changsha-style garden to the U.S. In order to do so, the Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society collaborated with Saint Paul Parks & Recreation Department and two Changsha architects to integrate nature and culture to create a sense of community and a place for celebrating life events, recreation, and meditation.

Learn More

Savor Authentic Flavors

Community Organizations

Asian Pacific American Resource Center (APARC)

The Asian Pacific American Resource Center (APARC) is a community committed to affirming the experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students and their diverse communities.

Learn More

Hmong Cultural Center Museum

Located in the Little Mekong cultural corridor, the Hmong Cultural Center is the primary Hmong and Asian American organization in the Twin Cities area that provides community outreach activities related to multicultural education to promote positive race relations in the community. Discover the resiliency of Hmong culture and its impactful history, achievements, and influence in Minnesota.

Learn More

The Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL)

The Coalition of Asian American Leaders emerged out of the will of Minnesota’s Asian American community in 2013 when a small group of leaders came together to share their aspirations for creating an organization that would bring leaders from across sectors, generations, and ethnicities together.

Learn More

Explore More