Seattle-based restaurant Xiao Chi Jie (XCJ) first launched frozen versions of its lauded Chinese soup dumplings, or xiao long bao, back in May of 2021. The frozen product proved to be truly restaurant quality, a surprising feat for a dish like soup dumplings.
Now, continuing that same energy of translating restaurant quality dishes into the convenience of frozen foods, XCJ has recently debuted frozen shāo kāo, also known as Chinese BBQ.
Shā0 kāo dates all the way back to China’s Eastern Han Dynasty, around A.D. 25, and is distinguished by the intoxicating fragrance of skewered meat and spice grilled over open flames.
XCJ’s version of CBBQ skewers are available in beef, lamb, or chicken, which are all pre-marinated and flavored with a high-quality blend of spices like cumin, white peppercorn, and Chinese five spice. They are ready-to-cook via your grill, air fryer, or stovetop — shout out to tasty convenience!
“Despite being a massively popular street food staple in China, CBBQ isn’t on a lot of peoples’ radars in the U.S. Even with the rise of Korean BBQ and Japanese Yakitori, CBBQ remains underrepresented — and we hope to change this narrative,” said XCJ co-founder, Jen Liao.
Folks can look forward to the following tasty lineup of CBBQ from XCJ, which can be purchased on their site:
Beef (8 skewers + 2 oz jar of a spice blend powder)
Lamb (8 skewers + 2 oz jar of a spice blend powder)
Chicken (10 skewers + 2 oz jar of a spice blend powder)
Variety (2-two packs chicken, 2-two packs beef, and 1-two pack lamb + 2 oz jar of a spice blend powder)
This month is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to honor and highlight the contributions and achievements of the AAPI community. Here in America, there are many AAPI-owned food and beverage businesses which help to make our country the diverse melting hotpot it is. We have the awesome pleasure of trying many up-and-coming AAPI brands, so we felt it was only right to recommend some in honor of the heritage month.
Sanzo is a burgeoning sparkling-water brand that specializes in distinct flavors which originate from places all over Asia. The taste is super crisp and the experience is refreshing for those looking for something besides the run of the mill lemon flavor.
China-based Omni Foods has been making a lot of noise on the plant-based protein scene. They specialize in seafood alternatives that are so good, you may have a hard time distinguishing them from the real thing. Also, their Spam-alternative is to die for.
Omsom is a women-owned brand that champions bold Asian flavors. In order to accomplish that feat, they’ve created a selection of bold, zesty and authentic Asian sauces that are ready-made to kick up your meal. They also have options available for vegans and gluten-free folks.
Another woman-owned brand, Fly By Jing has been spicing things up in recent years. Their uber popular, authentic sauce selection includes Sichuan & Zhong options, sure to rev your next bite into a fiery gear. You can find Fly By Jing in wide availability nationwide.
Thousands of dumplings were consumed to create the perfect recipe for up and comer XCJ. Their delicious dumplings come in packs of 50, sure to feed an entire family or one hungry dumpling lover. Made fresh every morning, these dumplings can be delivered right to your front door.
This plant-based instant ramen brand was founded by a Harvard alumni who was inspired by her college days. NOODIE is the kinda ramen you love without the heavy sodium and features real whole vegetables like kale, bok choy and broccoli.
This cleverly titled Indian condiment and sauce brand will jumpstart your palate. Brooklyn Delhi uses plant-based ingredients to create an array of rich and aromatic flavors for use in a wide range of applications. From classics like Tikka Masala to interesting mash-ups like Curry Ketchup, Brooklyn Delhi is sure to satisfy fans of bold flavors.
These hand-folded dumplings were inspired by the ones many Asian families grew up eating. They come in a variety of flavors like Pork and Chive and also meatless ones like Mushroom. The best part is that they can be delivered right to your doorstep if you’re in the SoCal area.
Inspired by childhood memories of Asian street food, Nona Lim makes small-batch noodles, broths and sauces adapted to a healthy modern lifestyle. Spicy Chicken Ramen broth and Pad Thai Stir Fry are some of Nona Lim’s tasty offerings. They can be prepared in minutes and slurped in an instant.
Get authentic Japanese snacks, teas and candies from small family-owned businesses delivered to your front door monthly. Each box contains a dynamic selection that lets you experience Japanese culture from your home. It’s simple — subscribe, receive and experience.
Dubbed the purest fish sauce on earth, Red Boat Fish Sauce only uses two ingredients, black anchovies and salt. Ex-Apple engineer Cuong Pham returned to his motherland of Vietnam to source the centuries-old fermentation tradition used to make Red Boat Fish Sauce. Intensely fragrant, with no flavor enhancers, this fish sauce is definitely the real deal.
Get your instant-caffeine boost from this premium Vietnamese coffee company. Copper Cow Coffee is a women-owned brand that uses sustainably grown coffee beans fresh from Vietnam. Their selections come in packets and include a range of flavors like Salted Caramel, Churro and even Lavender. In addition to coffee, they also sell teas and creamers.
This ingenious grocery delivery service was created with the goal of preventing food waste by recycling leftovers. Misfits Market works with farmers and food producers to rescue organic produce and other grocery items that’s typically tossed aside. The result is fresh produce and items up to 40% off delivered to your door in 2-3 days.
While these brands scratch the surface of great AAPI-owned food companies here in the States, they’re a great entry point. Be sure liven up your kitchen this AAPI Heritage Month and beyond by supporting one of the brands above.
