San A(sian)tonio: The Rise of Asian Culture in San Antonio
By Lisa Yang | May 2, 2025
statistics taken from the US Census.
Young Posse performing @ Stable Hall in San Antonio
The upsurge of Asian influence is evident in the U.S., particularly in San Antonio. K-pop, J-pop, K-dramas, anime, and East Asian Cultures have been on the rise recently. Korean and Japanese Cultures are now widely considered cool or trendy by the general media, with topics like K-pop breaking music records not only in Korea but also in the U.S.—millions of international fans listen to artists like Blackpink and BTS nearly every second of the day.
Asian food and drinks no longer seem weird, but are now seen as trendy by the general public, even by those who don’t personally engage with Asian media. San Antonio does not have as large of an Asian population as Houston or Dallas. In 2023, individuals of Asian heritage made up approximately 3% of the population in the Bexar County area—an increase from around 2% in 2013. However, this 1% increase in the Asian population over the last 10 years does not directly correlate with the overwhelming expansion of Asian restaurants and goods within the past few years.
Teso in San Antonio
International Asian household-name brands such as 85°C Bakery, Miniso, Teso Life, Paris Baguette, and Daiso have opened one or more franchised stores in San Antonio in just the past two years. Many Asian artists, including K-pop idols under HYBE Entertainment, have skipped traditionally more "Asian" locations such as Dallas and Houston to perform in San Antonio. The rise in Asian performing artists has increased drastically, and fans of K-pop or J-pop living in San Antonio no longer have to drive 3–4 hours to see their favorite performers.
Having lived in Texas since moving from China in 2008, I’ve seen both the good and the bad that comes with Asian culture becoming mainstream. I’ve enjoyed the appreciation for people who look like me and am glad to no longer be bullied for my race and culture. However, this appreciation can sometimes veer into fetishization.
I hope to experience the inclusion of normal, everyday aspects of various Asian cultures into life here in South Texas. Here at Nopality Magazine, we will cover various Asian American media and experiences with a splash of Gen Z flair—from people who walk the walk, and then talk the talk.
