Khruangbin

Houston

The vibe is great here. There's a functioning reel to reel tape machine providing the soundscape that greets you at the entrance. The entire menu is fire, but don't leave without trying the "Nancy Cakes.

Lots of records, cassettes, CDs and band swag here. There's also a small stage there as well that Khruangbin played many years ago.

Affectionately called "Rudz". Mark, Laura & I hung out here practically every Tuesday night before starting Khruangbin. Burger with cheddar & fresh jalapeños with a side of tots...and a side of mayo for dipping the tots.

Coolest late night hang in town, and if you can catch DJ Sun spinning while you're there, you're in for a treat.

Best BBQ spot on the Nawfside of the H. Can't go wrong with a chopped beef sandwich.

Hats fitted and made to order, perched above a barber shop in Downtown Houston.

A quirky gift shop filled with fun trinkets located in Rice Village.

Authentic Tex-Mex. An order of queso for the table, and chicken & beef combination fajitas. Corn or Flour tortillas is a big debate, but it's totally your call (I dig flour)

There's always interesting, well curated exhibits on display here throughout the year. James Turrell's "The Light Inside" installation lives there.

Khruangbin's Favourite Spots in Houston

Michelle Li

New York City 

The best tofu in town. Growing up I used to eat sweet rice cakes every morning for breakfast, this place takes me back with their bai tang gao. It comes in different flavors but I like to stick to the classic white sugar one!

Bring a spicy friend. You choose your ingredients and they throw it in a Chinese dry pot together for you with the perfect blend of spices. The atmosphere inside is so cozy and nostalgic, as if you were in a Wong Kar Wai movie.

Lil store big bites. I love their chicken biscuit sandwich with gravy and cole slaw, if I'm feeling extra treat-y I'll grab a bag of beignets and eat them at the park on Forsyth Street.

A nice place to end a day in the Lower East Side. This cute coffee shop is the kind of place you go into for a snack but then see the table beside you eating something yummy so you end up having a whole meal."

So many good classic Szechuan plates here. Another spicy spot to bring a friend, Chinese food is for sharing so the bigger the group the better because you can try more dishes.

I used to work retail down the street in college and this was my go-to lunch spot. Their moussaka lunch special is SO special and the baklava is self-serve from tiny drawers that hold sheets of them. It's a light airy cafe that if you can snag a seat, do it and sit for a bit.

They're famous for their beef noodles but on days that I miss home I like to go in and just get a cucumber salad and lu ro fan, my comfort food.

Malaysian breakfast! I love to go and get a bunch of snacks, sweets, and cute fancy toasts.

This well-curated shop has pieces that are quirky and unique, they inspire you to want to break out of your style comfort zone and try to wear some more color or a new silhouette. It's a very persuasive store.

An LES (Lower East Side) institution at this point. A lot of NYC girls are always shopping here for their oversized wool coats, blanket scarves, and plaid blazers. There are a lot of knick knacks and familiar brands, but you'll always find some new designer from Europe in here.

My go-to for when I'm in a bind and need to pick up a cute gift for a friend. Also a great place to go if you're looking for special home goods.

The purveyors of finding great younger brands and designers. I always pop in this store when I'm looking for some inspiration for upcoming shoots, it's a great way to see what is up-and-coming in the fashion world.

NYC's Best Spots to Eat and Shop by Michelle Li

Los Angeles 

Mori's new sushi spot does the best omakase! Founder Mori is a Michelin starred chef who makes his own plates and ceramics and even grows his own rice. We adore him! The quality and dedication to sushi is seriously present, and every dish from the house tofu, to the soy sauce blends, and rice chosen, shows his legacy.

Market Song is a must hit small, bustling stop for updates on traditional Thai street foods. Go to Jitlada for super authentic best hole in the wall. It's a fun spot.

San Gabriel Valley is a Chinese neighbourhood with over 100 incredible food spots which are all amazing. But if you had to pick one make sure you hit up Chengdu Taste.

Make sure to order the Bento boxes from Hayato. They bang.

K town's KBBQ. The price is right, great food and atmosphere.

Mark & Johnny Houston def fit. Having grown up in L.A.’s Koreatown in the 1980s, brothers Mark and Jonnie Houston have created a time warp that takes guests back a few decades. Expect a quintessential soundtrack as well as live performances and special guest DJs. There are four karaoke suites available for groups of 10-20, a dance floor, and break room-style snacks.

Random store for all things design driven. Go to for cool gifts.

Asian-Owned Businesses in LA

Amsterdam

Here are Dutch, English and Spanish children's books, toys and maternity gifts for the little ones.

They then began to collaborate with the likes of ASICS, adidas, Converse, Nike, Reebok among other brands, after their increased online presence.

A delicious Surinamese BBQ dine-in and take-away restaurant.

The brand is fuelled by the rich heritage of African culture wrapped in contemporary designs.

A designer clothing label founded by Olaf who is continuously inspired by countries, cultures and citizens.

An independent publishing house with a flagship store and an award-winning webshop, dedicated to sharing the love for beautiful books.

They offer a selection of Amsterdam's finest young and independent brands.

This salon stands for Afro-centric styling and care of hair for all ages and genders.

The first Black doll gift shop in Europe!

A footwear designer established by Guillaume Philibert, aiming to sell premium high-quality sneakers for a reasonable price.

Founded in Amsterdam in 2012 by a group of inspired youths for consumers who want thoughtful clothing.

Quality streetwear pieces with influences coming from Japan street culture and much more.

If you don’t know this place, you'll never find it. This Surinamese take-away place is tucked away in a small nondescript building in Venserpolder, Amsterdam Zuid-Oost. The fish is Annie’s signature dish. It is American butterfish, fried to perfection and served with banana and cassave.

The first West African restaurant located in Gein serving everything from spicy calf ribs to tilapia with plantain and chicken with the famous jollof rice.

Inspired by a journey between the metropolitan cities of Addis Ababa and Amsterdam, Dechase is a contemporary shoe brand that merges diversity, sustainability, and African heritage into its core brand ethos.

The New Originals (est. 2015) make performance clothing for creatives. Our collections are made for a unisex audience.

Once an Amsterdam bike shop, now a staple brunch spot. Since 2017, the brothers at Water & Brood have brought quality interpretations of classic American brunch dishes alongside authentic Surinamese dishes straight out of their mother's kitchen. Chef Tracy B, from St. Martin, has only upped the game with her addition of classic island flavours.

An international fusion kitchen with the specialty of bringing cultures and spices together in an extraordinary meal.

A funky, family-run cafe with communal seating offering vegan versions of Caribbean & Japanese dishes.

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