Throughout the month of May, the United States observes Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI), celebrating the cutlural contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans, as well as their historic achievements.  In our observance of AAPI, here are five Asian-owned New York City bookstores that you can visit this month, in support of AAPI. 

Yu and Me Books

Tightly tucked away on hectic Mulberry Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown, Yu and Me Books doubles as a cafe and bar and focuses on written works of immigrant stories. Opened by Lucy Yu in 2021 as NYC’s first Asian American women-owned bookstore, Yu and Me Books strives to be a community space in which everyone feels welcome and heard.

Bandi Books

Servicing the large Korean population in Queens, Bandi Books stocks both Korean language written works as well as Korean pop merchandise. Feel free to explore the Flushing book store’s two floors of inspirational and educational texts. For all you BTS and Blackpink fans, this is the place for you!

Eastern Bookstore

For over 40 years, this New York City staple has specialized in providing Chinese translated copies of classic English written books to the Chinatown community. While Eastern Bookstore features a large collection of classic works, they are better known for their fine collection of calligraphy tools and hosting writing workshops.

Kinokuniya

Since its debut in Tokyo in 1927, this Japanese bookstore is known all over the world for its vast collection of Manga, magazines and brand-new bestsellers. The long standing bookstore’s Midtown location offers everything one would want out of a chain business with the feel and charm of an independent store. The three level bookstore features collections of both Japanese and English works, stationary and home goods options, and a cafe to enjoy a sugar/caffeine break or their popular onigiri (rice wrapped in seaweed). Kinokuniya is a go-to Manhattan bookstore for Japanese-culture lovers.

Word Up Community Bookstore

When Veronica Santiago Liu opened her nonprofit pop-up bookstore in 2011, she had the intention of working with others “to create a place that could help connect people to books, writers to readers, and performers to audiences”. Now a storefront in Washington Heights, Word Up Community Bookstore is run by a collective of over 60 local resident volunteers. The charming neighborhood hangout functions as a venue for community run events which all focus on multilingual and multicultural authors and stories.