Being Asian in Oklahoma

Asian food has blended into American culture, though most of the time "Chinese food" isn’t authentic or is lumped together with other culture's foods.

"I like all the Asian food in Chinatown," Moon said. "People think Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese ... people all eat the same type of food, but it is not true. There is a difference, just like French and Irish people eat different foods."

One unique aspect of Oklahoma's Asian culture is the acclimation of its people into life as Americans.

"My cousins in California are shocked that I have so many white friends," Nguyen said. "They think it's unnatural."

Although Asians in Oklahoma are perhaps more absorbed into the local culture than other parts of the country, Oklahoma City’s Asian district has a lot to be proud of.

"Compared to the Asian culture of other states, Oklahoma City is still expanding,” Nguyen said. “California already has such established areas like Chinatown in San Francisco and the lesser known ‘Little Saigon’ in Orange County. My mother says that the Asian culture in Oklahoma City has come a long way since she first moved here almost 20 years ago."

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