China
This animated panda, voiced by Jack Black, trains in kung fu and becomes the Dragon Warrior in a DreamWorks film series.
Kung Fu Panda
This electric yellow Pokémon, known for saying its own name, is the mascot of one of the most successful video game franchises of all time.
Pikachu
In the 1998 Disney film Mulan, the main villain, Shan Yu, is inspired by real-life Mongol and Xiongnu warlords. Shan Yu is the leader of this invading group.
The Huns
This 2016 Disney film, set in Polynesia, features a young girl who goes on an epic journey to save her island.
Moana
This Japanese dish, consisting of raw fish served over vinegared rice, is popular worldwide, often served with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.
Sushi
This 2021 Marvel film, starring Simu Liu, introduced the first Asian-led superhero film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings
This 1954 Japanese kaiju film introduced a giant radioactive lizard that became a global pop culture icon.
Godzilla
In the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, the culture and nomadic lifestyle of this bending nation were heavily inspired by Mongolian traditions.
Air Nomads
This largest living species of lizard is found in Indonesia, particularly on the Komodo, Rinca, and Flores Islands.
Komodo Dragon
This iconic Japanese video game character, first introduced in 1981, became one of the most recognizable gaming characters of all time. He’s known for his adventures in a world full of jumping, collecting, and defeating enemies.
Mario
This 2020 Pixar film tells the story of a young Chinese-American girl who transforms into a giant red panda when she gets too excited.
Turning Red
In My Neighbor Totoro, the two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, move to the countryside while their mother is being treated in the hospital. This animated film is made by this famous studio, praised for their beautiful, hand-drawn frames
Studio Ghibli
The Mongol Empire, led by Khotun Khan, serves as the primary antagonist faction in this 2020 PlayStation game set during the first Mongol invasion of Japan.
Ghost of Tsushima
This popular Vietnamese dish, made with broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat (usually beef or chicken), is often enjoyed as a breakfast dish.
This popular Japanese noodle dish, typically served in a broth with meat, vegetables, and sometimes eggs, is a comfort food enjoyed worldwide.
Ramen
This Hong Kong-born action star, known for his acrobatic fighting style and comedic timing, starred in films like Rush Hour and the remake of Karate Kid.
Jackie Chan
This 1988 anime film, based on Katsuhiro Otomo’s manga, is widely credited with popularizing anime in the West and features a cyberpunk setting in Neo-Tokyo. The main character's red motorcycle, known as a Kaneda, is now iconic in pop culture
Akira
In the Netflix series Marco Polo, this actor portrayed Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan and ruler of the Mongol Empire. He's also famous for playing the character Wong in the MCU's Doctor Strange
Benedict Wong
This iconic Thai dish is made with stir-fried rice noodles, eggs, tofu or shrimp, and peanuts, often served with lime wedges and chili flakes.
Pad Thai
This Japanese manga series, created by Eiichiro Oda, follows the adventures of a group of pirates, including the main character Luffy, in a world where pirates battle for treasure.
One Piece
This legendary martial artist and actor, known for films like Enter the Dragon and Fist of Fury, helped popularize kung fu in Hollywood.
Bruce Lee
This legendary Japanese director, known for films like Seven Samurai and Rashomon, influenced countless Hollywood filmmakers, including George Lucas's Star Wars franchise
Akira Kurosawa
The planet Mandalore from Star Wars was partially inspired by Mongolian warrior culture. This specific group of warriors, led by characters like Boba Fett and Din Djarin, carries strong Mongolian influences.
This Vietnamese sandwich, made with a crispy baguette filled with meats, pickled vegetables, and herbs, is a fusion of French and Vietnamese culinary traditions. In Lincoln, you can find these sandwiches at Banhwich Cafe
Bánh Mì
This 2001 film, directed by Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli, follows a young girl named Chihiro who must navigate a mysterious bathhouse run by spirits in order to rescue her parents.
Spirited Away