Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: 8 Food Businesses to Support at the Farmers Market
by Savannah Kuang, CUESA Staff
For Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we have compiled a list of Asian Pacific American-owned food businesses that are part of CUESA’s farmers market community. Enjoy locally made miso, kimchi, momos, and other delicious handcrafted products, while supporting food businesses owned by Asian and Pacific Islands Americans who are making our food more diverse, healthy, and delicious.
Aedan Fermented Foods
Following the 2011 earthquake in her home country of Japan, Mariko Grady started selling her homemade miso to friends to raise money for the victims. Through Aedan Fermented, she now brings the traditions of healthy and flavorful Japanese cuisine to the table with fermented foods such as miso, koji, and amazake.
Must-try at the market: While their country miso is widely popular among market goers and chefs, their shio koji (a living fungus that is used to ferment soybeans and potatoes for sake, among other things) imparts a rich savory flavor to every dish. It can be used in place of salt in dishes or sauces, giving you an umami-rich way to lower the sodium content.
Where to find them: Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturdays
Bini's Kitchen
An immigrant from Kathmandu and a participant in La Cocina’s food business incubator program, Bini Pradhan prides herself in being the only Nepalese caterer in San Francisco. Through her momos (Nepalese dumplings), Bini recalls not only the foods of her upbringing, but also the feeling of community and celebration during countless gatherings with her parents, siblings, and friends.
Must-try at the market: The momos, of course! Available filled with turkey or vegetables, and served with a spicy tomato cilantro sauce.
Where to find them: Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturdays
Hodo
As a child in Vietnam, Minh Tsai took morning strolls with his grandpa to the neighborhood tofu shack. The freshness and artisan-quality of the soymilk, tofu, and yuba of his childhood eluded Minh for many years and ultimately led him to leave a finance career to found Hodo in 2004. Hodo now supplies tofu to Chipotle nationwide, sweetgreen, and notable Bay Area restaurants including The Slanted Door, State Bird Provisions, The Progress, SHED Cafe at Healdsburg Shed, and Mister Jiu’s.
Must-try at the market: One of Hodo’s most popular products is their Sesame Yuba Noodles, which are made from the protein-packed skin that forms on the surface of soy milk when making tofu. They’re delicious hot added to a stir-fry, and equally good cold right out of the box for a quick meal.
Where to find them: Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturdays
La Vie Wellness
Since 1995, yoga enthusiast Yeyen Gunawan has been crafting probiotic juices, wellness beverages, and superfood snacks as La Vie. Yeyen researched the benefits of raw food, juicing, and probiotics and began making food and lifestyle changes to bring herself back to health. Since 2005, she has been sharing what she discovered through her line of La Vie Wellness drinks and juice cleanses. A long-time believer in the importance of access to local and fresh foods, she sells her products at farmers markets and local grocery stores throughout the Bay Area.
Must-try at the market: For a healthy morning pick-me-up, stop by her Jack London Square market stand for kvass, kefirs, pure coconut water, green smoothies, or sprouted almond milks.
Where to find them: Jack London Square Farmers Market on Sundays
Namu
The Lee brothers—Dennis, Daniel, and David—founded Namu in December 2006 with the intention of serving contemporary California cuisine with an Asian flair. The Lees felt the contemporary American restaurant world lacked diversity and set out to serve food they loved and were inspired by. Namu now offers vegan and vegetarian options on their menu as a way to introduce another perspective on food for plant-based eaters. They source directly from farmer Kristyn Leach of Namu Farm, who specializes in vegetables and herbs that are traditional to Korean cuisine.
Must-try at the market: If you love bibimbap, try their dosirak! This dish includes housemade vegetarian kimchee, mung bean sprout, white rice, toasted seaweed, and daily pickle and your choice of chicken or tofu.
Where to find them: Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
Roti
The Malik brothers worked with Sukhi’s Gourmet Indian Foods in the farmers market for more than 10 years, doing almost 25 farmers markets per week for Sukhi’s. During their market days, the brothers had realized that customers are familiar with Indian food, but not with Pakistani cuisine. The Malik brothers founded Roti in 2017 to introduce Pakistani food in farmer markets. Directly from Punjab Pakistan, Roti offers authentic Pakistani vegan cuisine using generations-old family recipes, regional spices, and local ingredients.
Must-try at the market: If you had naan before, try their stuffed paratha, which is essentially stuffed flatbread with spinach. Their chutney sauces are also great with the parathas!
Where to find them: Mission Community Market on Thursdays and Jack London Square Farmers Market on Sundays
Volcano Kimchi
Aruna was born in South Korea and grew up in a Buddhist monastery where homegrown vegetables were at the heart of every meal. She launched Volcano Kimchi in San Francisco in 2014 with the aim of creating a high-quality, organic, vegan kimchi reminiscent of her youth.
Must-try at the market: Volcano’s signature product is Napa Cabbage and Jicama Kimchi, while seasonal ferments include products like Super Spicy Habanero Persimmon Kimchi, Oyster Kimchi, and Jicama Kimchi Salsa, all using ingredients from the farmers market.
Where to find them: Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturdays
Wise Goat Organics
After years slinging produce for Heirloom Organic Gardens farm, Mary Risavi moved on to pursue her master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but she now brings her passion for local produce and nutrition back to the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market with Wise Goat Organics, a one-woman kraut business based in San Juan Bautista.
Must-try at the market: Wise Goat’s hyper-local krauts, kimchis, and kvasses rotate with the seasons and range from classic to experimental. For a supercharged health boost, try their Supergreen Kraut (with spirulina, chlorella, and stinging nettles) or Golden Kraut (with turmeric and other spices).
Where to find them: Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturdays
This article originally appeared on CUESA