May’s Top 13: Fav Foods & Bevs for AAPIHM

In honor of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month we’re sharing our most-loved AAPI eats and drinks. From sweet to savory, sauces to seasonings, noodles to noshes, we had a hard time narrowing it down to just 13. Enjoy these recs and please comment below with your own top choices!

Dava’s Picks: Founder and Chief Creative Officer 

• The Little Saigon Box of chocolates from Socola Chocolates is delicious, different and all of their unique flavors will keep your taste buds happy.
  IG: @socolachocs

• I’m a huge fan of salt and collect new options when I travel. I love the 5-Year Aged Cheonilyeom Salt from Josu as well as their Kimchi Salt, a collaboration with Kimchimari so you can double down on your Korean flavors.
  IG: @josusalts

Andre’s Picks: Associate Creative Director

• The iconic Laoganma Spicy Chilli, accept no substitutes. It should be a staple in everyone’s kitchen, followed by (a close second, if not a tie), S&B Crunchy Garlic Chilli Oil.
  IG: @laoganmausa / @sbfoodsusa
• In the probiotic category, Yakult for the win. A popular beverage in many countries, created in 1935 in Japan, it brings me back to my childhood in Brazil where their drinks were fought over by siblings and cousins.
  IG: @yakult.usa

Caity’s Picks: Project Manager

• One of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco for a special occasion is Mr. Jiu’s in Chinatown. The chef Brandon Jew, a Chinese American, is well known in the Bay Area for his unique and delicious creations.
  IG: @brandoj

Suzanne’s Picks: Operations Leader

• My pantry is always stocked with Momofuku ramen-style noodles, sauces and seasonings. The noodles are air-dried rather than fried making them healthier and tastier. They make a great base that I then elevate with added protein.
  IG: @momofukugoods 
• I’m a big fan of Vietnamese coffee and now can make it at home with Saigon Drip. Made with a slow-drip coffee dispenser, the coffee pours directly into your glass to mix with sweetened condensed milk for a creamy and rich beverage that’s fabulous hot or iced.
  IG: @saigondrip

Elaine’s Picks: Designer 

• For a fresh take on fiery flavors, I highly recommend trying Fly By Jing sauces. With their innovative blends inspired by Sichuan cuisine, these sauces offer a delightful alternative to the classic Lao Gan Ma Chili Sauce, elevating your dishes with their bold taste profiles.
  IG: @flybyjing

• Discover the refreshing delight of Melona, a classic Korean frozen fruit bar that combines creamy goodness with real fruit flavors.
  IG: @enjoymelona
• Indulge your chocolate cravings with Kinoko no Yama, a classic Japanese snack shaped like a mushroom. As a chocolate lover, I appreciate its superior chocolate-to-biscuit ratio, which sets it apart from the popular Pocky, ensuring every bite is a delightful experience.

Xiaoxiao’s Picks: Junior Designer 

• In China if you ask people about their favorite retro sweets, you are probably going to hear White Rabbit Creamy Candy as the answer. Its iconic white, red, and blue outer wrapper, along with the edible rice paper inside, have been a leading canby in China since the 1940s.
• Tao Kae Noi crispy seaweed is the ultimate on-the-go snack choice. Its crunchy, versatile bold savory flavors never fail to satisfy my cravings.
  IG: @taokaenoi_official

Sol’s Picks: Junior Designer 

• Omsom, founded by sisters Kim and Vanessa Pham, offers a line of flavorful sauces inspired by their Vietnamese-American heritage. These sauces, such as Lemongrass BBQ, Thai Larb, and Korean Spicy Bulgogi, are designed to enhance all your dishes.
  IG: @omsom

As always, if you’d like to collaborate with us, we would love to hear from you! Please reach out to info@noise13.com to connect.