THE STORY: Chi Foods LLC CEO Minnie Luong began in 2015 selling single kimchi jars at a time at local food markets. But the humble beginning resulted in the Pawtucket-based food producer, also known as Chi Kitchen, to sell kimchi jars in more than 100 grocery stores across New England, in restaurants and at various colleges, including Roger Williams University and the Rhode Island School of Design.
› Chi Kitchen produces about 300,000 pounds of kimchi, a Korean delicacy, every year and each jar costs $8.99. It’s a healthy option that can be included with multiple dishes, including burgers, tacos, sandwiches, salads and rice, and noodle bowls.
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› The kimchi is made by brining napa cabbage, then mixing red pepper, ginger, garlic, scallions, daikon radish. Then they go into the company’s fermentation room. It is 100% gluten-free.
› It takes seven to 10 days to make kimchi from start to finish.
› The company has eight employees, and it takes six of them to make one unit of product.
› Chi Kitchen plans to introduce fermented sesame slaw and kimchi pickles to the market.
COVID-PROOF: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chi Kitchen has seen a 50% increase in retail sales due to consumers seeking probiotic, immune boosting foods to be consumed at home. The company has remained in business throughout the pandemic.
