Aurora is home to a diverse, multicultural food scene!

There are many international communities within Aurora, Colorado, that have influenced the food scene. This can be seen through many of the "food hubs" in the area, which cater to these communities. If you are looking to try something new and different, many of these places are absolutely worth looking into.

It's always a good experience to see outside of our own world and broaden our horizons, and the food scene in Aurora allows us to do that. We don't actually need to travel abroad to experience a taste of cultures from far and wide.

Let's take a look at a few—because trust me, we don't have time to fully get into all there is to offer!—of the multicultural food hubs Aurora has to offer!

Nana African Market

Nana African Market offers unique African food and even other non-food products. With the goal of sharing the rich culture of their motherland, they finely curate their products to best represent it. The market is a family-owned small business, which we love! While they aim to bring a taste of home to those who share their culture, Nana African Market also provides an extremely exciting and educational place for those of us who are unfamiliar with the culture.

H-Mart

H-Mart is short for "Han Ah Reum", which means "One Arm Full of Groceries." This Asian-inspired market first opened in Queens, New York, in 1982. They have since expanded across the United States, and have locations here in Colorado, both in Aurora and in Westminster. H-Mart's mission is to bring superior products, and they put their whole heart and soul into doing so. H-Mart is open 7 days a week, providing flexibility for your shopping schedule. H-Mart says themselves, "If it means we have to go out of our way and bend over backward for the best price, it's just not a problem." It's clear they are intentional about providing the best quality products they possibly can.

There are plenty more markets in the Aurora area that offer diverse food products, like Makola African Market and Laxmi Foods. In addition to these markets, there are many restaurants that highlight the multicultural food scene, including:

Honey Bee Bistro

Honey Bee Bisto serves up excellent Chinese cuisine and amazing customer service! They have a modern take on Chinese classics and use only the highest-quality ingredients. In addition to their primarily Chinese offerings, Honey Bee Bistro also has Thai menu items such as curry.

Nile Ethiopian Restaurant

Referred to by Westword as "a celebration of Ethiopia you won't want to miss," Nile Ethiopian Restaurant is a lively spot to enjoy Ethiopian cuisine. They offer sampler platters of stews on top of injera bread and are also vegetarian-friendly. Vegetarian options include lentils and vegetables. If you're a meat-eater, however, try the lamb or kifto, which is similar to a tartare.

Aki Asian Hotpot

According to archeological evidence, the first hot pots appeared around the Han Dynasty. If you're unfamiliar, hot pots or hotpots (Chinese: 火锅), also called steamboats, are an extremely popular meal in China and involve a simmering pot with broth in which people can cook raw ingredients. Think of it like a fondue-style meal. Hot pots will typically include thinly sliced meats, leaf vegetables, and wontons among other items. Aki Asian Hotpot brings the hotpot style to Aurora and showcases their diverse food scene.

The Piper Inn

The Piper Inn is one of the oldest restaurants in the area. It's a biker bar with authentic Cantonese influences, but they also serve up classic American bar food. (This spot has it all!) The Piper Inn is a true representation of Aurora's food scene as a whole. From Cantonese food to Mexican food to American food, The Piper Inn serves up a menu that solidifies it as an Aurora gem. For decades, The Piper Inn was owned by a Chinese family, and while new ownership has since come in, they have kept many of the traditional Cantonese recipes!

If you are looking to see an array of food cultures outside of your own, head to some of these Aurora spots! There is so much to explore, so don't worry if you can't go on that international vacation just yet. We are very lucky to have communities that are passionate about their cultures and have shared them with us.