Sobo Foods

2nd time's the charm ?? After our Chinese "Pork" & Chive dumpling narrowly missed out on the top spot in the Plant Based category at last year's Startup CPG Shelfies Awards, we knew we had to come back hungry for gold in 2024 ?? The Sobo Foods team can now proudly say...mission accomplished! My personal favorite (and the favorite among kids) Japanese Curry & Potato dumpling is a 2024 Shelfies Winner! ?? And we're extra proud to share the podium with pi00a. Of all the brands we could have tied for first with, we're flattered it's them ?? Check out the virtual award ceremony at around 1:04:27 to hear all the extremely nice things that the judges this year had to say about our ???????? Read more about all the winners here ? https://lnkd.in/gQYJk6as

Today marks a huge day in the life of any CPG startup. Sobo Foods is publicly launching a new product ?? ?? I say "publicly" because this dumpling is the culmination of so much hard work behind the scenes. From a year of Adam's R&D in the kitchen, to private tastings, public events, convincing distributors and retailers, and now finally launching it in stores –?it took a village to raise our newest dumpling child. Without further ado, please meet our ?new? Chinese-inspired Ginger "Chicken" dumpling. Drool at that gorgeous photography, then rush over to sobofoods.com to find where you can buy some for yourself ?? In case you missed it, here's the whole lineup: ???? Chinese-inspired “Pork” & Chive Dumplings ????? Korean-inspired Kimchi & Mushroom Dumplings ???? Japanese-inspired Curry & Potato Dumplings ???? Chinese-inspired Ginger "Chicken" Dumplings The hard work starts now!! Please support your favorite brand in the frozen aisle –?every bit of love from friends and followers matters ??

We get a LOT of compliments on Sobo Foods' packaging design. I'll be serving dumplings in a grocery store and shoppers will stop in their tracks to exclaim, "I love your branding!" It brings me so much joy to reply, "We have an amazing designer, I'll pass along the compliment!" But, in the same way that a brand is so much more than just packaging, Anna Kohne is so much more than just an amazing designer. It took me years of working with Anna to learn the true meaning of a brand, and how it's so much more than just a few colors, a fun logo, a slick website, some packaging, and a social feed. From Gainful's nationwide Target launch, now to Sobo's (much smaller) dumpling launch, Anna has been the creative force behind some of my favorite moments as a founder. It took some convincing – Anna tends to let her work speak for itself?–?but it was a treat to have her on the podcast ?? Listen now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! ?? https://lnkd.in/gQ2K742z https://lnkd.in/ghChfjac

SF Bay Area! Sobo has been quietly taking over your neighborhood ?? Find all 3 of our frozen dumplings on sale this month for AAPI Heritage Month across all of our grocery stores. Full list of stores at SoboFoods.com ?? Not only are we on sale, but the team will be busy slinging samples at a bunch of amazing retailers this month – Berkeley Bowl, Gus's, Bi-Rite, Luke's Local, Piazza's, United Markets and more. Come by, enjoy a hot potsticker and support your local, independent grocery store! Keep an eye on our Instagram stories @SoboFoods to find out where we'll be dishing out free samples next. As you know, free food tastes best ?? Berkeley Bowl Produce Inc., Bi-Rite Family of Businesses, Luke's Local, Gus's Community Market, United Markets, Piazza's Fine Foods Corporate Office Alameda Natural Grocery Castro Valley Natural Grocery

Here’s an inside look of our podcast episode with the plant-based dumpling kings of?Sobo Foods??? Listen in to hear more about co-founders Eric Ji Sun Wu and Adam Yee's approach, rooted in years of entrepreneurial experience, critical industry connections, and strategic branding to position their products as nutrient-dense comfort foods appealing to a wide consumer base. ?? Listen here: https://lnkd.in/ennksssf .? .? .? #newpodcast?#retail?#podcastshow?#businesspodcasts?

The Startup CPG Podcast is bringing you TWO amazing episodes this week. Enjoy stories from Sobo Foods and our 2024 Backpack Brand Winner - S'NOODS! ↗? Episode 137 Plant-Based Dumpling Kings: Eric Ji Sun Wu and Adam Yee, Sobo Foods - Explore Adam and Eric’s approach, rooted in years of entrepreneurship experience, critical industry connections, and strategic branding to position their products as nutrient-dense comfort foods appealing to a wide consumer base. Delve into the evolving diet choices in the US, with Asian Americans leading trends in veganism and vegetarianism, and how Sobo Foods emphasizes a balanced approach to meat consumption, drawing from cultural differences. ↗? BONUS Episode Gluten-Free Noodle Chips: Lauryn Bodden, S’noods - Lauryn Bodden, the founder of S’noods dives?into the captivating origin story of S’noods, the innovative noodle chips taking the snack world by storm. Lauryn shares her journey from winning a Netflix cooking competition to launching her brand, securing partnerships with major retailers, and winning a coveted booth at Expo West 2025. ?? Listen here: https://lnkd.in/d8AnjqkZ .? .? .? #newpodcast #podcastshow #businesspodcasts?

Last week, we interviewed Michelle Tew, founder of Homiah for the Sobo Foods podcast. I spoke with Michelle about the very personal inspirations behind Homiah’s products, Michelle’s life straddling different cultures in Malaysia, and – of course – the hot topic of chili crunch??? ?? Chili crunch is a contentious, trending phrase right now and Homiah is one of the companies at the center of the legal battle being waged with David Chang’s Momofuku over the trademark for chili crunch/chili crisp. After recording, I was honestly afraid that my founder friends would feel like I hadn't been critical enough of Momofuku on this podcast. I'm still afraid of that –?especially as the founder of a brand that is so proudly Asian American and so vocally supportive of the smallest food & beverage entrepreneurs up against the greatest odds. However, we wanted this episode to be more about uplifting an individual whose personal story is tangled up in a public debate rather than our own opinions on chili crunch and Momofuku. For that reason, Eric talks to Michelle not only about her childhood in Malaysia, but also about how we can all support each other in a moment like this. We recorded this interview with Michelle last week, before David Chang and Marguerite Mariscal (Momofuku CEO) posted a response podcast (April 12th) about what the company plans to do with chili crunch on The Dave Chang Show. We recommend having a listen??? Full recordings of all episodes of “Hey, Have You Eaten Yet?” are available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! https://lnkd.in/ghChfjac https://lnkd.in/g9cFytc6

Special episode of "Hey, Have You Eaten Yet?" for your ears this week! Adam and I sat down at my apartment with Joseph Alcasabas, the co-owner and creative force behind beloved Bay Area projects like Uncle Tito (@uncletito.bar) and Joe Wallace (@_joewallace) And, as of last week...Sobo Foods' first employee! Joseph is a creative and a hustler like no other, and he represents so much of what I love about the spirit and the culture of the Bay Area. We're lucky to have him on the team. And stay tuned –?we've got a *spicy* episode for everyone early next week ?? Available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eqR_YAsM https://lnkd.in/erVnN5GZ

Amidst all the craziness of Expo West (and endless Expo West follow-ups...) Sobo Foods quietly dropped TWO ?? ?? new podcast episodes featuring beverage founders that I admire so much. Miggy and Victoria Reyes are the founders of NARRA. Adam and I had the pleasure of meeting Miggy & Victoria last year, and it's been a blast building our very different CPG businesses in lockstep with these two across. Oh, they're also siblings ??. Of course, we REALLY get into what it's like to start a business with your family in this episode. Sashee Chandran is the founder of Tea Drops, sold online and in thousands of stores across the country, including Target and Walmart. Microplastics, bleach, viral pandemic boba, and the moment Sashee found out her dad grew up on a tea estate –?we cover it all. Get the tea on our latest episodes of "Hey, Have You Eaten Yet?" available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify?? https://lnkd.in/ghChfjac https://lnkd.in/gcr-4ReQ

Get Ready To Be Inspired - MEET THE PITCH SLAM FINALISTS! ? The announcement you've been waiting for! Check out the?six finalists?who will go head-to-head at?Naturally Bay Area's 6th Annual Pitch Slam on Thursday, May 9 at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco! ? Mika Peterman, Co-Founder & CEO, Greatfill ? Stephanie Robbins, Co-Founder,?Moon Fruit ? Miggy Reyes, Co-Founder, NARRA ? Aisan Hoss, Co-Founder, Oyna Natural foods ? Tim Richards, CEO,?Philosopher Foods ? Eric Ji Sun Wu, Co-Founder & CEO,?Sobo Foods These enterprising founders will deliver their best pitch in front of our judges and audience for a chance to win the?grand prize package worth over $50K, including?$5,000 cash?(courtesy of?Aspect Consumer Partners), a booth at?Newtopia Now?(courtesy of?New Hope Network), a suite of professional services worth tens-of-thousands of dollars, and the opportunity to take the national stage at the 2024 Naturally Network Pitch Slam! ? Get Your Ticket & Cheer on These Bay Area Entrepreneurs: https://lnkd.in/gfJ3ARZR Cheer on the Pitch Slam finalists, hear from last year's winner, and weigh in on your favorite pitch.?Early-bird tickets are on sale now—TWO WEEKS LEFT TO SNAG THE BEST PRICE! Special?thanks to our prize sponsors! ? Aspect Consumer Partners, Rodney Clark ? New Hope Network, Carlotta Mast ? Naturally Network ? Parabolic, Mary Tarczynski ? NIQ Activate , Alessandra Andrade Balerini ? SPINS, Benji Fitts ? BPM LLP, Ryan Musser ? Trinity Brand Group, Matthew Youngblood ? TIG Brands, Elliot Begoun ? Propeller Industries, David Davick ? Heffernan Insurance Brokers, Peter Picetti ? Mattson: Innovation for the Food & Beverage Industry, Pete Brennan #pitchslam #naturallybayareapitchslam #naturallybayarea6thannualpitchslam #finalists #cpgbrands ##CPG #networking #inspiration #naturallynetwork #naturallybayarea #cpgland #foodandbeverageindustry #cpgindustry #naturalfood #natural #naturallydelicious