It marks a renaissance of sorts for the Hmong community, which has historically been insular.
He also recently appeared on "Iron Chef" and was the first to serve Hmong food at the Minnesota State Fair.
Though for decades, Xiong said Hmong businesses struggled to market outside the Hmong community.
La Vang-Herr also opened her Hmong business in an area with few Hmong residents.
Sean LeschMortchee's, a Hmong eatery in a former Wausau, Wisconsin, ice-cream stand, has also been a lifeline for the local Hmong community since opening earlier this year.
Persons:
Yia Vang, Vang, James Beard, Kao Kalia Yang, Sunisa Lee, Lee Pao Xiong, Paul, Xiong, Peng Her, They're, We've, Diane Moua, Moua, Gemma Weston, Mai Vang, Pom, La, Herr, Sean Lesch Mortchee's, Sa Sor Lee, there's, Lee, Toua Xiong, we've, Pheng, we're
Organizations:
Service, Union Hmong, Minnesota, Fair, Google, Center, Hmong Studies, Concordia University, St, Pew Research Center, Hmong Institute, Twin Cities, Twin, American Farmers Association
Locations:
Wall, Silicon, Vang, Minneapolis, Oakland , California, Vietnam, Madison , Wisconsin, Minnesota, Twin, Siskiyou County, California, New York, Montague, Oregon, Portland , Oregon, Wausau , Wisconsin, Twin Cities, St