Oh, how sweet it is to support AAPI-owned businesses!
Call us “pie in the sky,” but we think it’s a “piece of cake” to support your favorite AAPI-owned businesses and we “donut” know how to live any other way!
This AAPI Heritage month, we wanted to offer a #SpendLikeItMatters resource that fuses two of our favorite things: supporting diverse small businesses and enjoying delectable desserts.
Whether you’re craving whimsical egg bubble waffles, flaky red bean croissants, or petit macarons — we’ve got you covered! Indulge in your treat of choice at one of these 10 AAPI-owned businesses in Seattle.
ASKATU BAKERY CAFE
Belltown
#AsianOwned #LatinoOwned #WomanOwned
Askatu Bakery Cafe is a unique bakery where all of the baked goods are allergen-free! That’s right. If you’re allergic to wheat/gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts/tree nuts, fish, shellfish, corn, potato, sesame, and/or xanthan/guar gums, you’ll find that you can eat any of Askatu’s delicious goods! Owner Estela Marie Degr Martinez operates this gluten-free, allergen-free, vegan bakery in an effort to deliver sweet-tooth satisfying foods for those who struggle to find them. Grab a coffee and a cupcake, cookie, or focaccia bread and enjoy with ease!
CAFE O’ DESSERT
University District
#AsianOwned #FamilyOwned #WomanOwned
Owned by mother-daughter duo Xuefei Li and Yanhong Liang, Cafe O’ Dessert is a cozy Cantonese cafe that’s a popular social spot for university students. While Cafe O’ Dessert serves a full menu of soups, stir-fry dishes, and omelets, it attracts regulars with its many flavors of Hong Kong-style soft shaved snow and egg bubble waffles.
CAKE HOUSE
International District
#AsianOwned #FamilyOwned #WomanOwned
Annie Cheung’s Cake House has won over customers’ hearts with its delicious coconut buns, fresh mango mousse cakes, and seasonal fruit tarts. The small, unassuming storefront in the heart of Seattle’s International District lays claim to some of the most authentic Hong Kong-style pastries around.
CAKES OF PARADISE BAKERY
Georgetown
#AsianOwned #BlackOwned #FamilyOwned #WomanOwned
The Sims family’s Cakes of Paradise Bakery offers a bright dash of Aloha to everything they make. From delicious tropical flavored cakes and pastries to macadamia coffee to their Hawaiian reggae soundtrack, Cakes of Paradise and owners Gregory Callier, Mosi Sims, and Umi Sims will remind you to chill out.
DONUT FACTORY
University District
#AsianOwned
Donut Factory began as a popular shop in Lynwood and opened their University District location in 2019. Owned by Marc Sapatin, Bryan Phaysith and Marvin Crespo, Donut Factory offers a wide variety of donut flavors and forms, including the ube glazed nod to Marvin’s Filipino heritage. Ready to explore some innovative donut deliciousness? Try the cinnamon crobars – think croissant meets bar-style donut!
THE FLOUR BOX
Hillman City
#AsianOwned #WomanOwned
If you thought a donut couldn’t possibly be described as beautiful, think again. Before this Hillman City bakery set up shop in a brick-and-mortar location, it was already a catering business so loved by the community! Then, thanks to some crowdfunding, Pamela Vuong’s magnificent donuts, cakes, and cupcakes became more widely and readily available for all to enjoy! Whether you opt to order a custom cake for your next event or munch on your morning donuts, The Flour Box will be your new favorite spot to satisfy all of your baked sweets cravings.
FOGROSE ATELIER
Bellevue
#AsianOwned #WomanOwned
From decor, to presentation, to flavor, this dessert-forward restaurant is a luxurious sensory experience. When you arrive, you’ll take a seat in their plush, velvet chairs and peruse a menu of mouthwatering treats. While menu offerings often vary, where dessert is concerned, you’re lucky if you get a taste of their baked Alaska, bananas foster, or black sesame sponge cake. This beautiful eatery is the brainchild Quyen Dang and has been delighting customers since their Atelier opened in 2019.
FRESH FLOURS
Beacon Hill
#AsianOwned #FamilyOwned #WomanOwned
This Japanese bakery will transport you straight to Tokyo with its delicious pastry offerings. Grab a steamy cup of coffee and sink your teeth into the daily specialties at Fresh Flours. Husband-and-wife duo Keiji Koh and Etsuko Minematsu opened the first location of their popular bakery in 2005, and today you can find them serving up local favorites like azuki red bean croissants and black sesame cookies at locations in Beacon Hill, West Seattle, Phinney Ridge, and South Lake Union!
SUGAR BAKERY & CAFE
First Hill
#AsianOwned #FamilyOwned #WomanOwned
When the original owners, Stephanie Crocker and John McCaig, opened Sugar Bakery & Cafe in 2006, they didn’t expect the tight-knit community of customers and employees they would create along the way. Since Stephanie and John retired in 2016, current owners Quynh “Queenie” La Walton and Matthew Walton have been working hard to carry on their passion for pastry and community. No matter your pastry preference or breakfast bias, Sugar Bakery & Cafe has got you covered. They offer next-level breakfast sammies, savory sandwiches on a freshly-baked baguette, cinnamon brioche buns, lavender shortbread, pink champagne cake — I mean, what are you waiting for? Let Sugar Bakery & Cafe welcome you with open arms.
TOKARA
Phinney Ridge
#AsianOwned #WomanOwned
If you find that your sweet tooth changes with the seasons, you’re in luck! Since 2008, Japanese confectionary, Tokara has provided a stunning selection of beautifully hand-crafted Japanese confections called “wagashi” that rotate flavors monthly. These sweet treats have evolved over centuries and have been brought to the Seattle area by chef and owner Chika Tokara. Pro tip: The confectionary is open one day every month – usually Sunday of the third week of the month. Plan ahead, be sure to check the website for the latest information and make a reservation (recommended) by phone.
Do you love these or other AAPI-owned small businesses? Write a recommendation on their Intentionalist listing page.