The Best 33 AAPI-Owned Food and Beverage Gifts

Justine Lee

December 15, 2023 at 7:01 AM·13 min read

AAPI food and beverage gifts

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I'm here to make a bold proclamation: it's an AAPI-made world, and we are living in it! As a Korean-American food editor whose hobbies outside of work involve wandering the digital and physical aisles of the grocery store, it feels incredible to shop in 2023 knowing that I can easily meet most of my food and beverage needs with a product from a fantastic Asian-American-owned brand.

Whether it's the sustainable sourcing of spices, the meticulous preservation of culinary traditions, or the fusion of traditional and modern flavors to tell one's cultural narrative, the plethora of unique AAPI-owned food and beverage brands that take up space on the market today go beyond simply enriching customers with thoughtfully crafted flavors. They stand as bastions that encourage productive dialogues surrounding identity, and often spotlight issues — both interpersonal and outwardly political — that arise in the Asian-American community. Through it all they use good drinks and delicious food for what the two tools do best: demonstrate care and foster community.

Here now are the 33 products from some of today's best AAPI-owned food and beverage brands you need to add to cart now. They are businesses to turn to for incredible offerings when it comes to instant ramen, snacks, sweets, condiments, sparkling water, wine, spices and much more.

Food

Saucy Ramen Noodle Variety Sampler, $49 at Amazon

Instant noodles are the perfect gift to give to someone, even if that someone is yourself. For a tour of the tastiest noodles across the Asian diaspora, consider the gift of this noodle sampler set from loud and proud Asian-American brand, Omsom, created by sister duo Kim and Vanessa Pham. The set comes with 10 packs of Omsom's high quality noodle packs and 4 tantalizing different restaurant-quality flavors like Soy Garlic and Coconut Lemongrass Curry.

12 Days of Noodles, $39.99 at A-Sha

If you need a gift for someone who loves to explore the wide world of instant noodles, this wonderful variety pack will give them 3 flavors and 12 stupendous days of noodle slurping. Each flavor features A-Sha's thick air-dried noodles that are so good, they taste homemade.

Maple Liège Waffles 4-Pack, $74.95 at Mason Dixie

Founder and first generation American, Ayesha Abuelhiga, created Mason Dixie as a direct nod to homestyle food served at the restaurant owned by her immigrant parents, You'll be amazed at how Mason Dixie's line of liege waffles, biscuits, and breakfast sandwiches warm up in the microwave in seconds. Coming in a variety of flavors, the offerings from this AAPI women-owned brand will quickly become your new breakfast staples.

Bokksu Snack Box Subscription, $39.99 at Bokksu

Founder Danny Taing was inspired to create Bokksu after his time residing in Japan, when he was mesmerized by the kaleidoscope of local snacks. Hop on this subscription, and a treasure trove of authentic Japanese candies, chips, and goodies will come knocking on your door every month.

The Original Collection, $51.95 at Okina

Vegan and gluten-free bakers shouldn't have to miss out on easy-peasy baking with a packaged mixes. Enter Okina, a line of vegan, gluten-free muffin and bread baking mixes made with whole food ingredients you can read. It only takes a mix of liquid ingredients and a few minutes in the oven to have the banana chocolate chip bread or carrot currant muffins suited for any dietary needs.

Immi Ramen Variety 12-Pack, $72.00 at Amazon

With Immi, Founders Kevin Lee and Kevin Chanthasiriphan accomplished the seemingly impossible: develop a high-protein, low-carb, 100% plant-based instant ramen that doesn't taste like cardboard but actually tastes like every Asian-American's quick comfort food. Try this variety pack which includes the flavors Garlic "Chicken", Spicy "Beef", and Tom Yum "Shrimp".

Soup Dumplings, $39.99 at Mila

If you're looking for high quality dimsum food to add to your kitchen arsenal, look no further than these supple pork soup dumplings.

Partake Crunchy Vegan Cookies, $24.99 at Amazon

Cookie lovers will swoon over these perfectly sweet cookies from Partake, the Black and Asian woman-owned baked good company. Arriving in with three quintessential flavors, these naturally gluten-free and vegan cookies are so soft, you would think they came straight out of the oven if you had them blind-folded.

Dry Candied Japanese Citrus Peel Variety Pack, $23 at Kankitsu Labo

These aren't your run-of-the-milll grocery store dried fruit. Kankitsu Labo's dried and candied pieces of yuzu, blood orange, and more are made in the Ehime Prefecture in Japan. This variety bundle is the gift to give if you want to wow a food-obsessed friend who, let's say, has pretty much everything. They can use them as garnish on cocktails, add them to charcuterie boards, or simply snack on them.

Noona's Essential Variety Pack, $58.00 at Noona's Ice Cream

Pastry chef Hannah Bae behind Noona's Ice Cream is committed to creating ice cream for the good of the Asian-American community. With flavors like black sesame, red bean chocolate chip, and toasted rice, this ice cream brand is, without a doubt, the coolest way for anyone to embrace and explore their Asian American identity.

12-Piece Bonbon Box, $56 at Stick with Me Sweets

It's hard for anyone to turn their back against a box of chocolates, especially when they look and come in many elegant flavors as the chocolate bonbons from NYC-based chocolatier, Stick with Me Sweets. Apart from the beautiful book-shaped box and the treats that await inside, the 12-piece chocolate set can be purchased in the classic Chef's Favorite option, as well as in a nut-free or gluten-free version.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Drink Narra Strawberry Matcha Latte 6-Pack, $30

Know someone looking to slash back on their coffee consumption in the new year? Nudge them in the right direction with this Strawberry Matcha Latte drink pack. These ready-to-drink cans are pair an earthy oat-milk based matcha with a kiss of sweet strawberry, and provide a more sustainable form of caffeinated energy compared to coffee.

Sanzo Pomelo (Grapefruit) 12-Pack, $34.44 at Amazon

The gift of hydration ranks high as one of the best ways to tell someone you care about them. Made with real fruit cherished in various Asian cultures and containing, the sparkling waters from Sanzo are the sleekest, tastiest ways to drink more water and stay refreshed throughout the day. Pomelo, the newest flavor offering from founder Sandro Rocco and team, is a must-try.

Coffee & Tea

Teas of Vi?t Nam Sampler Set, $45 at Anna Ye

Have someone in your life who loves to drink loose leaf tea, but wants to expand their horizons beyond the generic varieties offered to them at the grocery store? Introduce them to Vietnamese tea by way of this box set from AAPI and woman-owned brand, Anna Ye Tea.

MexicoFinca Sinai Gesha Washed Coffee, $75 at Bean and Bean Coffee

Serious aficionados of a proper at-home coffee routine get a certain kick out of a fresh new bag of coffee beans, and the mother-daughter duo behind Bean and Bean Coffee offer quality, mission-backed coffee beans that are ethically sourced. Drinking coffee is good, drinking coffee for a cause is better.

One Stripe Chai Me At Home Masala Chai Blend, $17.99 at Amazon

Making a good cup of chai has never been easier, thanks to this fantastic South Asian beverage brand.

KimlyParc Original Korean Latte, $14.25 at Amazon

This magical instant latte from Korean-American brand, KimlyParc are perfect for loved ones always on the go or anyone you know who could use a level-up from their bland, sad coffee routine. A true cinch to prepare, all anyone has to do is add a packet into hot water, stir, and sip. The final elixir is lightly sweetened, creamy (but vegan! thanks to coconut cream), and provides the perfect dose of caffeine that pays homage to Korean 3-in-1 instant coffee.

Alcohol

Hana Makgeolli Yakju, $38 at Hana Makgeolli

Whether they're regular drinker of makgeolli or new to drinking it, Hana Makgeolli's selection of traditionally fermented Korean rice wines is guarantee to please. Yakju is Hana Makgeolli's 5th stage fermented alcohol variety, and it's sweet, light, pretty dry with deep tasting notes of barley and grain.

Soju Cocktail Variety Pack, $62 at Jumo

Whether they love fried chicken, gopchang, or budae jjigae (Korean army stew), anyone who loves to feast on Korean grub (or otherwise!) knows that good food pairs exceptionally well with a bottomless side of soju. Jumo's services not only any type of food/drink lover but because each canned soju cocktail is low in calories (anywhere between 20 - 33 calories per flavor), the drink is well-suited for anyone who looking to be a bit more health-conscious with their alcohol intake. It's all about balance, baby.

Lunar 16-Pack Variety, $47.99 at Lunar Hard Seltzer

This year was a big era for hard seltzer, thanks to such sparkly options as the Yuzu and Korean Plum hard seltzers from AAPI-owned drink company, Lunar. You can take me up on this: these bubbly, boozy beverages, made with pure Asia-sourced fruit, are fantastic. What better way to close out the year of hard seltzer with more hard seltzer? Lunar's 16-can variety box is rife for the occasion.

Jinro Toad Soju Dispenser, $49.99 at HiteJinroShop

It's not an AAPI party without a Jinro Toad Soju Dispenser, because a Jinro Toad Soju Dispenser will perch on top of an open soju bottle and automatically dispense out shots. This TikTok-famous tchotchke is the uniquely welcome addition to any holiday celebration this season. Stock up on bottles on bottles of soju and prepare to have a great time.

Pantry Staples

Black Sesame Butter, $15 at Rooted Fare

For the nut-butter-lovers in your circle, this jar of deeply roasted, delightfully noir black sesame butter from AAPI female-founded Rooted Fare is an major step up from your routine jar of peanut butter.

Garam Masala, $12 at Diaspora Co.

Gone are the days of buying bottles of spices from the grocery stores with hardly any knowledge of where they came from or if they derive from ethical and sustainable sources. The expansive collection of spices offered by Diaspora Co deliver on flavor, quality, and transparency. I recommend you try them all out, but their new Garam Masala spice blend, ideal for both sweet and savory cooking, is a welcome recent addition to my spice drawer.

Pot & Rice Set (Seoyiteul), $110.00 at Kim'C Market

Create the perfect batch of rice with this cooking set by Kim'C Market, a super dependable online specialty store specializing in the delivery of wholesome Korean products to customers in America. This duo set includes a traditional Korean earthenware clay pot and a bag of freshly-milled, Michelin-quality rice. Be prepared to some of the best rice of your life.

Brightland Olive Oil Duo, $74 at Amazon

Fat equals flavor, and olive oil is one of the most reliable cooking fats you could ever cook with. Good quality olive oil makes all difference, and this duo from Brightland Olive Oil are just that. Use AWAKE when you roast a sheet pan dinner or cook a hearty winter stew. Add ALIVE to your salad dressings, hummus, and cake batters.

The Starter Pack, $42 at Brooklyn Delhi

Love Indian food? Want to cook more of it at home? Brooklyn Delhi has got a quad of sauces to help you get you going. Each of the four sauces in the variety pack - tikka masala, coconut cashew korma, tomato achar, and roasted garlic achar - is vibrant and versatile.

Original MáLà 麻辣 Chili Oil, $12 at Cy Eats

Made in small batches by dynamic duo, Christine Yi and James Tracey, this tingly and wonderfully numbing chili oil is way too good to pass up. Pour it on rice bowls and vegetable stir-fries, or use it to fry eggs. But absolutely, definitely drizzle it onto popcorn.

Sichuan Chili Crisp - The Big Boi, $36 at Fly by Jing

You've probably heard of, seen, or guzzled this Sichuan chili crisp, and for good reason! Fly by Jing's signature chili crisp gives a boost up to every single dish it graces. Take your relationship with the spicy, crunchy, nuanced condiment to the next level and get this XXL size.

Kewpie Mayo, $6.99 at Umami Cart

A fridge is not a complete without a fully stocked condiment section, and a condiment section is not complete without Kewpie mayo. The iconic Japanese mayonnaise strikes the perfect chord of creamy, tangy, and sweet. A squeeze bottle of Kewpie would be a great stocking stuffer for either the condiment queen or the curious home cook in your life.

Bachan's - The Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce, $7 at Amazon

If you have to give a gift to a lover of classic American barbecue and the sauces that hail from various parts of the country, this bottle of Bachan's Japanese barbecue sauce is a great way to give them a taste of what they want. Bachan means “Granny” in Japanese, and this sauce was inspired by the founder’s love for her own grandmother's home-cooked meals.

Red Boat 40N Fish Sauce, $10.99 at Umami Cart

Fish sauce is a staple in East Asian cooking, particularly in Cambodia, Phillipines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Full of umami derived from a traditional fermentation process, Red Boat Fish Sauce is a trusted product for a reason.

SEOULSISTERS Kimchi Seasoning, $9.20 at Amazon

Instantly elevate your popcorn, eggs, pizza, and well, everything edible, with this fiery seasoning chili powder. If you've got hot sauce lovers in your life, a bottle of kimchi seasoning is a no-brainer item to stuff in their stocking.

SPAM Tocino Luncheon Meat, $5.09 at Umamicart

Salty, meaty, and an all-around breeze to cook, SPAM spans across many Asian cultures as a dependable canned luncheon meat that has stood the test of time.

Up next: Martha Stewart’s Simple Trick for Getting Garlic Smell Off Your Hands

Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.

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