For many in the Asian American community, the act of cooking is so much more than just a process. Preparing food goes beyond simply chopping and dicing—it’s a way to stay connected with family heritage, bond with friends over culinary traditions and introduce beloved recipes to a new generation. And while there’s no shortage of reliable kitchen brands to shop in the ever-growing space, it’s worth seeking out Asian-owned businesses—especially right now, as May marks Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
This AAPI Heritage Month, support Asian American–owned kitchen brands like Material, Anyday and Sona ... [+] Home.
Illustration: Forbes / Image: Retailers
A celebration of the diverse cultures and traditions that form the Asian American community, AAPI Heritage Month is an especially great time to get to know Asian-owned small businesses and brands, as the entrepreneurs behind them offer a unique perspective that blends together design, culture and function. Ahead, here are nine of our favorite kitchen brands producing everything from precise, minimalist knives to stylish, durable glassware. By shopping their pieces, you’re not only setting yourself up to make better meals at home, but you’re also supporting the AAPI community.
Home cooks likely know Our Place because of its versatile Always Pan, a 10-in-1 piece of cookware doesn’t just sears and sauté, but also braises, steams and fries. The idea came to founder Shiza Shahid, a Pakistani activist and co-founder of the Malala Fund, who sought to make cooking a simple, less intimidating process through beautifully-designed, yet functional cookware. Since its founding in 2019, the company has expanded its product line to include pots, bakeware, tableware and kitchen tools. What’s more, Our Place utilizes recycled materials and works with women-owned collectives to manufacture its products.
The timeless design of Hudson Wilder’s glassware comes through in both form and function. When siblings Joyce and Conway Liao launched this Brooklyn-based brand, they had a clear vision for its ethos: “form-utility.” Not only are the lines of the handblown glasses clean and classic, but they’re made from borosilicate glass (the same stuff as Pyrex) for extra durability. Pops of color in the base of the drinking glasses and coffee mugs add a modern feel.
After enough chef friends began to enlist husband-and-wife designers Chachi Prasad and Karam Kim to make stylish yet functional aprons, the pair—who cut their teeth in the fashion world—launched BlueCut in 2014. Since then, Prasad and Kim have outfitted plenty of big-name chefs (David Chang and Ray Garcia among them) and countless home cooks who love their aprons’ modern tailoring and fine materials.
Blending quality, function and thoughtful design, Material’s kitchen goods are made for cooks who seek sophistication and precision. Co-founders Eunice Byun and Dave Nguyen made sure that material sourcing was a key part of Material’s process (hence its name), which led to the creation of the reBoard, a sustainable plastic cutting board that’s made from 25 percent sugarcane and 75 percent post-consumer scraps. Their thoughtful approach to cooking tools is evident in all the products they’ve since launched, from steak knives to ceramics to glassware.
The Wok Shop Carbon Steel Wok With Metal Side Handle
For more than 50 years, this family-owned shop has been operating out of the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown, where it’s a go-to resource for cooks looking for reliable Asian cooking tools—in particular, its namesake wok. If you can make it to the storefront, wander the aisles filled with cleavers, steamer baskets, rice cookers and more. Not in the Bay Area? The website also stocks everything you need to stir fry like a pro.
Last year, actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas teamed up with restaurateur Maneesh K. Goyal to launch Sona Home, a tableware collection that pays homage to the elegance and glamour of India’s rich history. Originally designed to be used at their New York City restaurant by the same name, the tableware is vibrant yet subtle in its use of motifs and prints. And true to its modern-meets-traditional aesthetic, the collection features everything from salad plates to chutney pots.
When developing the idea behind Hast, founder Elliot Cao sought to create a cutlery company that bridges the gap between super serious, hard-to-maintain kitchen knives and cheap, poorly-designed knife sets. In particular, he was inspired by matrix powder steel, a material that yields blades that are harder and sharper than carbon steel but still lightweight and easy to hold. He certainly succeeded in his mission, as Hast’s knives are super sharp, sleek and agile. (The name “Hast” comes from the Swedish word for fast or speedy, an apt adjective for knives designed to be agile and efficient.)
An illustrator and art director, Carrie Lau turned to ceramics as a way to destress, eventually making enough to sell at a local craft market. Eventually, she turned her hobby into the business O-M Ceramic, making pieces for both home and kitchen. The Hong Kong-born, L.A.-based maker is known for her whimsical, colorful designs, much of which is inspired by her surroundings. In addition to one of her signature designs, playful spotted “sprinkles,” you can find pieces with wavy canyons, blobby flowers and more on mugs, plates and bowls.
