May is AANHPI Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. This year’s theme, “Power in Unity, Strengthening Communities Together,” highlights the importance of connection, culture, and community.
Across the Eastside, AANHPI communities have helped shape the vibrant character of Bellevue and Redmond through local businesses, cultural spaces, and community leadership. In both cities, AANHPI residents make up a significant portion of the population, reflecting the diversity that defines the region.
With the extended 2 Line making it easier to travel across the Eastside, now is a great opportunity to explore and support local AANHPI-owned small businesses in Bellevue and Redmond. From longtime neighborhood favorites to newer community gathering spots, these businesses help tell the story of the Eastside’s diverse communities.
East Main
Copper Kettle Coffee Bar (0.9 miles from station, 23 min walk)
Copper Kettle Coffee Bar is a great place for our nature lovers and urban hikers! Located in Bellevue Botanical Garden near the Fuchsia Garden and Yao Garde, this quaint house features warm and cozy seating and a place for people to slow down, relax, and enjoy the views. While the lush greenery brings you in, the owner, Christina Dong, said the local Pacific Northwest products she includes are what keep you coming back. Some of these local products include coffee from Sleepy Monk in Cannon Beach as well as pastries and treats from bakeries like Macrina Bakery, Big Apple Bagels, Macadons, Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery.
Bellden Cafe (0.6 miles from station, 13 min walk)
When the owner, Claire Sumadiwirya, was in the hospital for long nights while her oldest son became sick in Shanghai, she longed for comfort for a hot cup of coffee. Hospital staff took notice and provided homemade food and warm coffee from a gas station to help her through this tough time. The unconditional kindness and love she experienced is what became the foundation for Bellden Cafe. The pace is welcoming and cozy, which is a perfect pair to build human connections over a warm drink. Not only did she build a place for community but generosity as well by donating percentages of Bellden Cafe’s sales to local charities and foundations.
Semicolon Cafe (0.8 miles from station, 18 min walk)
Like the symbol itself, Semicolon Cafe represents the power of a pause – to take a moment to rest, recharge, and savor. The cafe offers an open space minimalistic design that transports you back to the cafes in South Korea that are aesthetic, clean, and providing great food and drink options. If we had to recommend a few items, we’d suggest first timers indulge in their bulgogi sandwich, matcha lattes, and tiramisu latte.
Bellevue Downtown
Cafe Aloe (0.4 miles from station, 10 min walk)
With experience from working at their family’s dim sum business, Julie and John Wu wanted to create a home away from home where they could showcase the unique family recipes of Hong Kong with their community. Aside from shops in Chinatown International District, there aren’t many spaces that showcased the classic pastries and drinks of Hong Kong. Cafe Aloe has classics like their freshly brewed Hong Kong milk tea and coffee drinks as well as pastries just as good as they look! We enjoyed the ‘Musubi.' a toasted pineapple bun filled with eggs, spam, furikake, and musubi sauce.
Yuan Spa (0.8 miles from station, 19 min walk)
If you’re looking to take a break from the food indulgences and need some self-care, Yuan Spa is a great spot to visit. They blend the foundations of Asia’s ancient healing philosophies with modern spa technologies. Packages include massage therapy, herbal body treatments, advanced skin care, and hydrotherapy spaces like a dry sauna, cold drench shower, steam room, and two soaking pools.
Wilburton
Uwajimaya Bellevue (0.4 miles from station, 8 min walk)
Uwajimaya, once a family-owned small business, is now one of the largest Asian grocery retailers in the Pacific Northwest. Since 1928, the business has grown from a laborer truck selling Japanese staples and homemade fishcakes into the multi-location community hub known today — enduring wartime internment before reopening in 1945 and rebuilding for generations to come. In 1978, the Bellevue location was opened to cater to the rapidly growing Eastside population. If you’ve never been to Uwajimaya, make them your next stop for fresh Asian produce, hot foods and delicious bentos, nostalgic childhood classic snacks, and quality meat and seafood cuts.
BelRed
Young Tea (0.6 miles from station, 13 min walk)
Caroline, the founder and owner, has always loved tea, the process of tea making, and tea ceremonies, as well as sharing tea to build community. Caroline goes on annual trips to Taiwan to work with local tea farmers to use the highest quality and natural ingredients to stay true to the authentic Taiwanese tastes and flavors. All of their drinks are fantastic ways to beat the summer heat but if we had to pick a few favorites, it would include their Wintermelon Juice, Iron Buddha, and High Mountain Oolong Milk Tea.
Yuan Ru Art Center (0.5 miles from station, 10 min walk)
Yuan Ru Art Center was established in 2022 and proudly presents work from Taiwan and other international artists as well as Pacific Northwest AANHPI artists. During the time of our visit, there was an exhibition run by Margie Ye of Ye Fine Arts to celebrate cross-cultural art to break down barriers, foster cultural storytelling, and cultivate a deep sense of community belonging. The exhibits and art changes every few months so make sure to visit their website to see what is coming up!
Luandong Herbs (0.4 miles from station, 8 min from station)
Luandong Herbs is a newer small business that specialize in traditional Chinese medicine and tea. You are able to buy dried ingredients like ginseng, ginger, shiitake mushrooms, and jujubes to make your own teas and medicines or work with the team there to help prepare combinations that would improve your health needs. Luandong felt like a part of Chinatown placed on the Eastside!
Lucky Claww (0.7 miles from station, 16 min walk)
Lucky Claww is for individuals who enjoy games and a challenge. If you’ve ever visited Asia, you know that claw machines are extremely addicting with the chance to become thoroughly satisfied or frustrated. This is a great escape for all ages as you’ll be able to find joy in the challenge and hopefully gain some fun toys along the way!
Overlake Village
LUMI Dessert Cafe (0.7 miles from station, 16 min walk)
LUMI Dessert Cafe is founded on the vision to build a space where visitors can enjoy beautiful and delicious desserts. Their goal with the menu is to have different unique flavors from around the world that people can enjoy. Some of their highly sought after desserts include their Korean Bingsu that has fresh snow ice and various toppings as well as their Golden Toast which is crispy toast filled with honey and topped with toppings. Both are great to indulge with a few friends or as a sweet treat in the summer heat!
Dosa House (0.7 miles from station, 17 min walk)
Dosa House is a casual cafeteria countertop-style South Indian vegetarian restaurant. Even though the space gives off no frills, the food is definitely bursting with impact and flavor. They provide a wide variety of dosa options, Hakka style cuisine, and curries. What we’d recommend you do is to visit with a buddy and have one of you order their dosa and another orders their naans and curries or bhatura and poori to share so you’re able to get a little taste of everything.
Marymoor Village
Izakaya Supa Banana (0.2 miles from station, 5 min walk)
In November 2024, Chef Wing Lam had a vision of opening a space that celebrates fusion cuisine and tradition. Izakaya Supa Banana takes traditional Japanese izakaya and infuses it with a modern twist. Some innovative dishes on their menu include foie gras “spam” sushi, XO butter clams, and coconut laksa crab and scallop sushi. If you love the concept of Japanese staples and want unique flavors bursting in your mouth, give Izakaya Supa Banana a try!
Downtown Redmond
A Ma Chicken Rice (0.2 miles from station, 3 min walk)
A Ma Chicken Rice is a popular staple in the downtown Redmond area. The owners, Marynet Seng and Thearith Thy, blend their passion for food blended with rich life and culinary experiences passed from family relatives to present delicious Hainanese chicken rice and traditional Cambodian soups on the Eastside. There definitely will be a line when you visit, but it's well worth the wait. If you want a little bit of everything, the combo chicken rice plates are a great starter. Also notable options are their ā mā dried noodles and ā mā beef loc lac!
Kids Magic Lab (0.2 miles from station, 4 min walk)
For families that are escaping the rain, heat, or cold fronts throughout the seasons, Kids Magic Lab is a great option for play time and learning. The space includes drop-in play times, camps and events, and reservations for parties. For an extra deal this month, on May 26, Kids Magic Lab will be celebrating their two-year anniversary with a photo booth and all kids open play day passes being $20!
Kanishka Cuisine of India (0.2 miles from station, 4 min walk)
Kanishka Cuisine of India is considered to community members as a long-time beacon of authentic Indian flavors since 1999. The founders focused on honoring the diverse traditions of Indian cooking because in their eyes, food isn’t just for sustenance but also a way to celebrate culture and heritage. With this in mind, the ingredients are extremely fresh as it’s sourced from local farmers and artisans. The menu features a wide variety of traditional Indian recipes and specialties that are blended with modern techniques as a way to share with Redmond a part of Indian culture.
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