9 Asian American Culinary Trailblazers Heating Up The Southern U.S.

Since the 1970s, the U.S. has celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage every May to honor the traditions and contributions of this diverse community, made up of almost 50 nationalities. Of course, food and beverage traditions are at the very heart of these cultures, and the inspiration, recipes, flavors, and cooking methods they bring to the table are shaping the future of the American food scene.

Here are some of these trailblazing chefs, restaurateurs and mixologists changing the face of dining in the American South.

Jeff Chanchaleune – Ma Der Lao Kitchen, Oklahoma City

Two-time James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Southwest, Jeff Chanchaleune grew up eating the Laotian homecooking made by his mother and grandmother, but never saw it represented in mainstream culture. His father, who brought the family from Laos to Oklahoma City, was a classically trained chef who spent his career working in restaurants across his new home town.

Like his father, Chanchaluene found himself drawn to the culinary arts. He spent over 20 years mastering Japanese cuisine before deciding to go back to his roots, opening Ma Der Lao Kitchen in 2021. Since then, the Oklahoma City restaurant whose name is a Lao expression meaning “come eat!” has garnered national recognition, earning its place as one of Bon Appétit’s 50 Best New Restaurants in 2022, The New York Times’ Best Restaurants in 2022, and USA Today’s Restaurants of the Year in 2024.

Lao food is similar to the cuisine of Northern Thailand, packed with umami and favoring savory, salty, sour, bitter and spicy flavors. Served family-style, popular items at Ma Der include spicy papaya salad; lemongrass marinated…