5 Exciting Things To Celebrate ESEA Heritage Month

East and South East Asian Heritage Month is a relatively new celebration, but 2023 promises a packed schedule around the theme of Roots/Routes. Each event will explore cultural identity and belonging—be it through a Filipino backyard BBQ, a Chinese festival involving mooncake, or important talks with artists about finding your voice. 

But don’t just limit your appreciation for east and south east Asia to one month. We’ve got guides to the city’s best Malaysian restaurants, Thai spots, Chinese food, Vietnamese places and more, so you can keep eating and exploring beyond September.

A Filipino Feast In The Garden

photo credit: The Adobros Supper Club

Take a culinary trip across the Philippine archipelago without having to fight someone with a suspiciously similar-looking suitcase to you at the baggage reclaim carousel. The Adobros family hosts supper clubs that champion Filipino food and this one will take place in their garden in south east London. Things will kick off with a Don Papa rum cocktail with calamansi and ginger, and continue with a four-course lunch of dishes like pork belly and BBQ chicken, and a pineapple ‘snow’ palate cleanser. You’ll have to be fast if you want to grab tickets as there are only 14 seats. 

Celestial Peach On What ‘Being In Your Prime’ Really Means

The In Our Prime panel discussion with Jenny Lau—writer and founder of Celestial Peach—is all about finding your voice and building mental resilience at all stages of life. After a panel discussion with artist Qu Leilei, businesswoman Bich Tyler, and writer Wiz Wharton, there’ll be time for a Q&A session too. The event takes place on Wednesday 13th September at Hackney Chinese Community Services and all profits will be donated back to the centre. 

Complete The Blackhorse Beer Mile Fuelled By Satay Burgers

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Exale Brewing & Taproom in Walthamstow have a new pop-up, right in time for ESEA Heritage Month. Tangys Tasty Stuff will be serving a south east Asian-inspired menu. Expect dishes like spring onion tempura, pork belly twizzlers, and a satay chicken burger which is a repeat offender on our ‘For You’ Instagram feed. Exale is a stop on the Blackhorse Beer Mile so if you really want to amp up the celebrations, tick off nearby Big Penny Social, Pretty Decent Beer Co, and Signature Brew too. 

Art Attack For Adults

photo credit: 2B Or Not 2B Collective

Shohei Takasaki is a self-taught Japanese artist whose contemporary works are a swirl of colour and movement. This life drawing class, at The House Of St Barnabas on Greek Street, is inspired by his work. The event is open to all levels—maybe not if you’re still on crayons and stick people—and you can draw on anything you like, with anything you like. It’s a three-minute stroll from here to Koya Soho, a Japanese spot where you can celebrate your (obviously world-class) rendering with moreish miso broth. 

Keep The Good Times Going With Mooncakes

photo credit: Bun House

The last one to leave the party gets a raging hangover… and mooncake. ESEA Heritage Month is officially over at the end of September, which coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival on 29th September. The Chinese festival marks the end of the harvest, and it’s traditional to eat mooncakes because a full moon is supposed to bring prosperity and togetherness. Get your treats from Bun House and wander around Chinatown under twinkling lanterns. If you need dinner options, check out our guide.