12 Asian-Owned Brands To Support For AAPI Heritage Month And Beyond
If you’re unaware, May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to honor the many contributions of those from the global Asian diaspora. While Asian ingenuity encompasses every facet of life, when it comes to food, no one can deny how satisfyingly delicious and varied Asian cuisine is.
That’s why we wanted to shed light on several up and coming Asian-owned brands making flavorful waves on the food scene. From piquant sauces to buzzy libations, there’s a wide selection of new brands to check out. Who know, one of these might just become a tasty new go-to.
Omsom
Founded by first-generation Vietnamese sisters, Omsom puts extra care into capturing the authentic taste of restaurant-quality Asian flavors. Dripping with deliciousness, try out their Omsom Noodles or latest offering, Saucy Noodles — each is available in several options, and the best part is that they cook is only 4 minutes.
Komo’s Kimchi Paste
Komo’s Kimchi Paste hopes to wake Americans up from their watered-down kimchi nightmare and show us what authentic kimchi tastes like. The paste is made from a family recipe passed down through the generations. You can purchase it ready-made, or if you’d like to whip up your own batch, as a DIY kimchi kit.
Mila
Founders Jen and Caleb started Mila in hopes of leaving a legacy about Chinese food. They specialize in pre-packaged frozen soup dumplings and Chinese noodles that are made with best-in-class ingredients. Ready in only 11 minutes, an authentic taste of the motherland is only an instant away. To give you an idea of how poppin’ Mila is, actor Simu Liu recently became their chief content officer.
Sanzo
This Filipino-owned brand has been making major waves over the past few years since its hit the market. Offering flavors native to countries in Asia, Sanzo is pumping some serious magic into the sparkling soda space. From Lychee to their latest flavor, Pomelo, Sanzo is bubbling to a different beat.
Lunar Seltzer
Lunar Seltzer was brewed to life during the pandemic by founders who wanted a taste of their homeland. After brewing hundreds of recipes in their NYC apartment, they finally managed to create a delicious blend of Asian flavors. Fortunately, right now is the perfect time to try out a can to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, as they released a special limited-edition flavor.
Dokkaebier
This Asian-inspired craft brewery got its name from mysterious, shape-shifting creatures of Korean folklore that love to eat, drink, and be social. Dokkaebier offers innovative and interesting brews likeYuzu Blonde, Bamboo Pilsner, and Kimchi Sour. As a smaller company, batches are brewed in small quantities to ensure freshness.
Blend Sweets
This Chicago-based company has flipped traditional Chinese baos on their head and added, *drumroll* please… cheesecake. Available in several flavor options. I don’t know about you, but the Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bao immediately caught my attention. If you’re looking for more Asian flare, try out their ube baos.
Potli
A friend happened to hand me a few sample packets of this essential foods Woman-led brand. As it’s name suggests, Potli products are infused with cannabis. From olive oil, to sleep-inhibiting honey and apple cider vinegar, each product is carefully crafted for quality. They even offer THC-infused sriracha chili sauce.
Fila Manila
Since 2020, Fila Manila has shared authentic Filipino sauces, spreads, and condiments. Their award-winning flavors range from the bold and boozy pineapple rum sauce to purple yam jam, and even a classic Filipino adobo. With five offerings to choose from, you’ll never run out of tasty recipes to make.
Oishii
This visionary farming company uses vertical farming methods to produce next level fruit flavor, namely strawberries — and what some would call the perfect strawberries. Currently, they’re the world’s largest indoor vertical strawberry farm. Oishii aims to bring Japan’s fruit culture to the states and offers two sweet and refreshing types: the Omakase Berry and the Koyo Berry, both of which have gone viral for their pristine aesthetic.
Fly By Jing
Fly By Jing’s Sichuan Chili Crisps have become stuff of legend. By bringing her hometown taste to the states, founder Jing really helped crack open the mainstream demand for chili sauce. Their Sichuan-made sauces pack quality, kick, and authentic flavor. Along with Sichuan Chili Crisps, the brand offers Zhong Sauce and a savory Mala Spice Mix.
Brightland
Becoming somewhat of a mainstay on “Best Of…” lists is this burgeoning olive oil brand. Brightland is a small batch-made, ceramic bottled, crisp-quality olive oil. They make olive oils specific to a range of uses. For example, their Awake is best suited for cooking while the Alive is better for drizzling. Thankfully fo those curious, Brightland is beginning to pop up at many grocery stores nationwide.
