Manhattan's Chinatown occupies a mere two square miles of the 22.7-mile island. The city's Koreatown is more of a Korea street—specifically West 32nd Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues. And while Los Angeles has Little Tokyo, New York has a cluster of Japanese merchants and restaurants in the East Village. But the impact of Asian culture isn't limited to these individual ethnic enclaves—it reaches all over, becoming more integrated and influential every day. When an interior designer characterizes his work as Zen, the lounge du jour serves up a sake cocktail, a florist prepares a single-orchid bouquet, a spa offers a ginseng eye treatment—all these things reflect the arrival of an Asian aesthetic into the mainstream.

"There's definitely an increasing interest in Asian culture in the U.S.," says Vivian Chiu, communications/outreach coordinator at the Museum of Chinese in America—influenced, she feels, "by the rise of China as an economic mega-power. As a country takes part in a global recovery, it consequently takes center stage on the cultural scene."

In honor of Chinese New Year this Jan. 23, here are some of the many ways—some overt, some subtle—East is meeting West around New York.

Food for Thought

Asian cuisine is hardly new to this town: Chinese takeout has been a staple of New Yorkers' diet for generations; a fascination with raw fish in the 1980s led to the establishment of a Japanese sushi joint in every nabe. But it was the debut of Nobu (105 Hudson St., 1-212-219-0500) in 1994 that led to the gourmet phenomenon known loosely as Asian Fusion cuisine. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa's creative blend of Eastern and Western culinary traditions, in dishes such as rock shrimp tempura with spicy mayonnaise and miso-marinated North Pacific black cod, spawned countless imitations and paved the way for a host of other restaurants that apply Asian ingredients and techniques to European or American classics—and vice versa.

The brainchild of Chef Zak Pelaccio, newcomer Fatty 'Cue (50 Carmine St., 1-212-929-5050) marries spicy-sweet Southeast Asian flavors to smoky American barbecue—as in Heritage Foods USA pork ribs slathered with a fermented fish sauce, Indonesian long peppers and palm sugar. Other dishes feature butter dusted with cincalok, a Malaysian shrimp condiment, and bacon with curry leaves.

At Red Farm (529 Hudson St., 1-212-792-9700), Chinese food authority Ed Schoenfeld and dim sum specialist Joe Ng present clever takes on Chinese-American classics. "I'm always coming face-to-face with Asian foods that I want to prepare in many different ways," Schoenfeld says. Diners can consume shui mai shooters, juicy shrimp dumplings paired with a shot of buttery broth, and pastrami egg rolls, deep-fried egg rolls filled with salty pieces of pastrami from Katz's Delicatessen.

Asian ingredients are popping up in European sweet treats as well. The dessert bar Kyotofu (705 Ninth Ave., 1-212-974-6012) offers that Italian staple, panna cotta—only, it's made of tofu and flavored with kabocha (a Japanese squash). At Kee's Chocolates (80 Thompson St., 1-212-334-3284), Kee Ling Tong infuses her creamy handmade truffles with jasmine tea from China, yuzu from Japan and Kaffir limes from Thailand. Kee's French macarons also feature such distinctly un-Gallic flavors as rosewater lychee, ginger and persimmon. "I incorporate a lot of Asian ingredients in chocolate because of the aroma and taste—a hint of flavor that doesn't overpower the chocolate," says the Macao-born chocolatier. "And my customers love the uniqueness."

Fashion Forward

As the world has become increasingly international, Asian or Asian-American names have come to the forefront of the fashion ranks (cases in point: Jason Wu and Phillip Lim, two of the hottest designers around). Of course, every designer uses his heritage differently: Yohji Yamamoto deliberately updates traditional Japanese garb in his innovative clothing, while Vivienne Tam playfully adorns Western styles with Chinese motifs (e.g., blouses with silk-screened Buddhas). And the growth of the Asian fashion industry has led to an explosion of Asian-style designs in the worldwide fashion industry. At the autumn/winter 2011 Armani Privé fashion show, models clad in Oriental prints, kimono sleeves and Japanese hairdos sashayed down a black lacquer runaway ("geisha chic," the press called it). Ralph Lauren's Fall 2011 collection drew its inspiration from 1930s Shanghai: sequined or lacy dragon designs, and red, black and green beaded and tasseled accessories.

Singer Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers clothing line draws on the colorful street scene of Tokyo's Harajuku shopping district—specifically the whimsical style of Japanese schoolgirls. Sold at Bloomingdale's (1000 Third Ave., 1-212-705-2000), the cartoon-laden garb has been such a hit that the line's branched into accessories and shoes.

In contrast, Hong Kong label Blanc de Chine (673 Fifth Ave., 1-212-308-8688) takes a more subtle approach. Its hybrid haute couture uses characteristic Chinese stylings—frog closures, bell sleeves, mandarin collars—in a contemporary way, and often with Western fabrics: a man's Mao jacket in leather, a woman's qipao (those body-hugging, slit-skirted dresses) in Harris tweed. "China, with more than 5,000 years of history, provides plenty of sources from which we can draw inspiration for designs," says Cherylann Robinson, general manager of the store. "Such sources range from ancient philosophies to different dynasties. For example, our Dao Collection emphasizes simplicity, reflecting the Daoist value of going back to basics and striving for peace with the universe."

Jewelry designer Margo Manhattan (1202 Madison Ave., 1-212-722-7555) also turns to Sino sources for inspiration. Fascinated by feng shui, Manhattan recently created five charms based on the five elements (water, wood, fire, earth and metal) of the philosophy. She also hired a feng shui consultant to cleanse her boutique of any negative energy and arrange the décor to bring the shop abundance and recognition. "Feng shui has improved my life. I designed the charms so that in wearing them, people could empower themselves," Manhattan says.

Artistic Allure

Paralleling the appeal of Asian decorative arts is a growing interest in Asian fine arts and culture. Such interest encouraged the Museum of Chinese in America (215 Centre St, 1-212-619-4785) to move from a 2,000-square-foot space into a new 14,000-square-foot facility two years ago. The expanded museum now houses more than 60,000 items, from delicate paper sculptures and intricate Chinese opera costumes to vintage photos, imported books and oral histories.

"It seems that over the last couple of years, more people have come to learn about Chinese culture beyond dumplings, kung fu movies, dragon dance and so forth," the museum's Communications/Outreach Coordinator Chiu says. "What makes Chinese culture so intriguing," she continues, "lies in the richness of the Chinese history, from philosophy to literature to arts to music, even to politics. People are dazzled by its complexity."

Lucy Chen, an employee at Dragon Treasures Antiques (The Manhattan Art & Antiques Center, 1050 Second Ave., Gallery 50B, 1-212-813-9089), agrees. "We've noticed many more dealers and collectors at the gallery over the past few years, and they've come from Europe, Australia and all over America—not just Asia," she says. "Chinese art has such a fascinating background, plus there are so many different mediums: bronze, bamboo, porcelain. There is something for every collector's taste."

Many collectors also have a taste for more modern art, such as manga (Japanese comics). According to retail news source ICv2, manga sales for North America reached $120 million in 2010. Bookstore chains devote entire sections to manga; dozens of newspapers across the country publish manga on their comics pages. And at Animazing Gallery (54 Greene St., 1-212-226-7374), some of the most sought-after items are exclusive fine-art prints by manga artist Osamu Tezuka, who invented the "large eyes" style of Japanese animation and is referred to as the "god of comics."

Pacific Pampering

Once seen as unscientific, Asian health practices have gradually gained credence in the last few years: Acupuncture and acupressure sessions are even covered by many insurance companies nowadays. So, it's no surprise that Asian-based beauty and relaxation practices are all the rage stateside. One increasingly trendy treatment is Thai massage, an ancient form of one-on-one bodywork that increases flexibility and loosens tight muscles with gentle pressure along the body's energy lines. But instead of lying flat, as in Swedish massage, "the client is put into several yoga-like stretches and postures by a therapist," explains Grace Macnow, owner of Graceful Services (1095 Second Ave., 1-212-593-9904), which specializes in the practice. "So Thai massage is often referred to as 'the lazy man's yoga.'"

Chinese herbs, such as ginseng and chrysanthemum, have been used for centuries to treat everything from anxiety to joint pain. Spring Thyme Wellness Spa (40 Exchange Pl., Suite 812, 1-212-385-4973) employs more than 500 of them in treatments for the complexion. One of the most requested services is Dr. Li's Customized Herbal Facial. After an initial consultation with the client, a Chinese practitioner creates and applies a herbal-based mask that devotees insist rejuvenates their skin, balances hormones, releases toxins and, in the process, greatly reduces stress.

A rising number of hair salons now offer Japanese thermal straightening, an innovative perm that transforms even the curliest, frizziest tresses into pin-straight locks. The treatment takes three to six hours and can cost up to $1,000 at high-end salons such as Hayato (125 E. 23rd St., 2nd fl., 1-212-673-7373) and Gil Ferrer Salon (21 E. 74th St., 1-212-535-3543). Hair remains smooth and straight for six months, even with repeated washing.

From yuzu-infused chocolates to feng shui boutiques, Pacific breezes blow across the city, refreshing and enlightening all who feel them.

Song and Dance

A month of performing arts events ushers in the Year of the Dragon. The China Jinling Dance Company of Nanjing offers a dramatic dance version of The Peony Pavilion (David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, 1-212-496-0600, Jan-5-8). Based on one of China’s most beloved classical operas, the production augments the Ming Dynasty tale of forbidden love with lavish sets and costumes.

Also at the Koch Theater, Jan. 11-15, is Shen Yun Performing Arts (1-800-818-2383), a troupe with a mission: to revive interest in classical Chinese dance and music, using methods both traditional (ancient instruments like the erhu) and modern (digital backdrops).

The New York Philharmonic commemorates with a Chinese New Year concert (Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, 1-212-875-5656, Jan. 24). Conducted by Long Yu, artistic director/chief conductor of the China Philharmonic Orchestra, the program offers both Eastern and Western works, and features Asian artists, some expert in Chinese instruments (bamboo flutist Tang Jun Qiao), others in European (pianist Lang Lang).

Revelers fill the Chinatown streets and Sara Roosevelt Park on Jan. 23, New Year’s Day. Events include a traditional firecracker ceremony to ward off evil spirits and a cultural festival featuring food vendors, martial arts demonstrations and Asian song and dance performances. On Jan. 29 comes the annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade, which originates in Little Italy, wends along Canal Street and ends on Grand Street by Sara Roosevelt Park.