Hot Girl Sauce

Overview

Date Established	10/2023
Founder	Janice Miye Kim
Industries	Food
Website	https://thehotgirlsauce.com/
Social

About

Hotgirlsauce is a modern condiment brand redefining how chili oil fits into everyday eating. Built at the intersection of food, culture, and design, the brand is driven by a simple mission: to make bold, layered heat feel intuitive, versatile, and accessible – without sacrificing flavor integrity. Hotgirlsauce speaks to a new generation of consumers who value ease, aesthetics, and quality in equal measure, and who expect pantry staples to work seamlessly across meals, cuisines, and dayparts.

Digitally native and social-first, Hotgirlsauce launched direct-to-consumer in late 2023 and has since expanded rapidly into retail, debuting nationally in early 2025 across 400+ doors. Ingredient-forward with a focus on clean formulations and thoughtful sourcing, the brand embraces culture and trend – while building lasting relevance through usability, education, and modern design. Hotgirlsauce is available online and and 400+ retail stores nationwide, including goop – where it was spotlighted by Gwyneth Paltrow – as well as World Market, Epicurean Trader, Butterfield Market, and other specialty food destinations.

Founding Story

Hotgirlsauce was founded by Janice Miye Kim, a second-generation Korean-American from Los Angeles, following more than 15 years leading merchandising and brand growth at companies including Forever 21, L’Oréal, and The Bouqs. Through her experience building consumer brands – and as a home cook herself – Kim identified a clear disconnect in the condiment aisle: while chili oil delivered depth and complexity, it remained intimidating and underutilized, often confined to jar-bound formats and occasional use.

The “aha” moment came from observing how people actually cook and eat. While consumers were drawn to chili oil’s depth and complexity, many found the category intimidating – unsure how to use it, when to reach for it, or how to incorporate it into everyday meals. Seeing no brand that made chili oil feel as intuitive and approachable as hot sauce, Kim set out to modernize the category, reimagining it not as a specialty product, but as an everyday staple designed for real life.