Unwrap the magic of the holiday season with this year's curated gift guide–a celebration of Asian-inspired foodie delights. From sustainable kitchen essentials to food-inspired jewelry, each item is unique. Whether you're gifting a tea enthusiast or Asian food lover, this selection has something for everyone, with a touch of nostalgia, whimsy, and fun.
1. Playful chopstick rests ($3 each) from Chinatown's iconic Wing On Wo & Co. (W.O.W), the oldest operating store in Manhattan’s Chinatown boasting a five-generation long legacy in the heart of the neighborhood on Mott St. The store's unique porcelain collection is sourced from Hong Kong and Jingdezhen–China's porcelain capital. They also produce some custom wares like their Bok Choy Sharing Bowls.
2. Handmade in New York, Kelly Bit of Sublima Jewelry uses 100% recycled brass and recycled sterling silver to craft Asian-inspired pieces like this cascading Boba Tea Splash & Bubbles Ring ($99 - $179). Each piece is handmade to order and will take an average of 7-14 business days. Shop 20% off sitewide with the code HOLIDAY23 now through December 5th. Order by Dec 11 for delivery by Dec 22.
3. The gift that keeps on giving throughout the year is the Nepal Tea Club subscription ($25) offer by Nepal Tea Collective. With a choice of 15/30/60/90-day delivery options, each box containts two 1-ounce pouches of specialty organic Nepali teas, exclusive access to monthly tea-tasting events, personailzed postcards from the farmers cultivating the tea. From now until Christmas Day, when every purchase is 1 entry (orders above $100 = 3 entries) to a Nepal Tour giveaway raffle.
4. Bambu's ‘wok chuan’ ($7.75) is an essential tool in Chinese stir-fry cooking. This shovel-like spatula makes cooking and scooping in a hot wok quick, easy, efficient, and doesn’t get too hot to handle. This chuan is hand-shaped from a single piece of certified organic bamboo. You can also find a bamboo rice paddle ($6.50) at this Certified B Corp small business based in the Pacific Northwest.
5. From potstickers to soup dumplings, the Dumpling Collection at Delicacies Jewelry ranges from necklaces, bracelets and earrings ($50-$805). Available in 14K gold, sterling silver, or gold plated, every purchase fights hunger through Welcome to Chinatown’s Sik Faan (Let’s Eat) Fund, purchasing meals directly from struggling restaurants in NYC's Chinatown and delivering them to the neighborhood's food-insecure residents.
6. Get your game on to host the ultimate Mahjong Party, complete with MJ tile ice cubes (or chocolates) with this food-grade mahjong tile silicone mold ($12) from contemporary Chinese boutique Chop Suey Club. Available in different colors, in 2 styles of molds– Standard and 13 Terminal Hand (aka Thirteen Orphans, one of the hardest to get and highest winning hands in mahjong).
7. Known as a "tea pet" is ceramic figure that reacts to hot water or tea–some with color, others with bubbles or a stream of water. They are often used by tea drinkers as companions during tea time "feeding" it tea. Available at NYC's iconic Pearl River Mart, Pee-Pee Boy ($18) may be world's oldest thermometer! The novelty and entertainment Pee-Pee Boy is that the hotter the water you pour on him, the further his stream will jet out! See how it works in this video!
8. This limited edition Tatung miniature steamer ($22) isn't electric, but still functions as a steamer with a 1-cup removable ramekin. This iconic rice cooker design comes in vermillion and pea green is available at Yun Hai Shop, a shop located in East Williamsburg that specializes in artisinal Taiwanese ingredients and condiments. Check out their Holiday Gift Sets and reknowned dried fruit snacks!
9. One of my favorite must-eat places to take out-of-towners to in NYC is Xi'an Famous Foods (XFF). Originating from a small stand in Flushing, Queens, and endorsed by Anthony Bourdain on No Reservations, they now have over 10 locations throughout the city. This family-owned eatery does not shy away from spice with their motto "Not Spicy = Not As Good", but this XFF Chili Oil & Chili Crisps ($15) is fragrantly complex and not too hot.