We recently connected with Christine Lim and have shared our conversation below.

Christine, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

As a small business owner specializing in butter mochi and Southeast Asian-inspired snack mixes, I’ve been noticing a growing trend in the food industry: the rise of globally-inspired comfort foods. People are seeking unique, nostalgic flavors that connect them to cultures or experiences they might not have encountered before. This trend is especially exciting for businesses like mine that celebrate heritage flavors while putting a modern twist on them.

One story that highlights this trend happened at one of my recent pop-up events. A customer came up to me, intrigued by the idea of sinigang-flavored snack mix. At first, they hesitated because they weren’t familiar with sinigang, but after one bite, their face lit up. They told me the tangy, savory sour notes reminded them of a dish their Filipino friend had once shared with them years ago. It was heartwarming to see how food can evoke memories and build connections.

This trend presents both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, it’s encouraging to see people become more adventurous with their palates and open to learning about new cultures through food. For businesses like mine, this creates a space to introduce bold, authentic flavors—like furikake, spicy sinigang, isaan laab, or buttery Asian-inspired baked goods—that might have been overlooked before.

However, there are concerns too. With the rise of popularity, there’s a risk of cultural appropriation or dilution of authentic recipes. It’s important for brands, big or small, to respect the roots of these flavors and tell their stories authentically. I see this as an opportunity to not only share delicious snacks but also educate people about the cultural significance behind them.

Ultimately, this trend highlights the evolving definition of comfort food. For some, comfort tastes like butter mochi, reminding them of family gatherings in Hawaii. For others, it might be the tart zing of a sinigang-inspired snack mix, sparking a memory of a trip to the Philippines. It’s a privilege to be part of this movement, offering a taste of Asia to snack lovers across the U.S.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Christine Lim, and I’m the founder of a small business that specializes in butter mochi and Asian-inspired snack mixes. Our mission is to celebrate bold, nostalgic flavors rooted in culture and tradition while introducing them to a broader audience in a fun, accessible way.

My journey into this business was deeply personal and inspired by the experiences that shaped me. As I grew older and began traveling, my appreciation for food deepened even further. From savoring street food in Bangkok to exploring markets in Hawaii, I found myself collecting flavors and ideas along the way. Meeting people from different walks of life and learning about their culinary traditions opened my eyes to the endless ways food connects us. These experiences became the foundation for my business, inspiring me to create snacks that combine the comfort of tradition with the excitement of discovery.

Initially, I started with butter mochi, a chewy, buttery treat that reminds me of family gatherings and celebrations. But as I reflected on my journey, I realized I wanted to incorporate the flavors I grew up with and those I’d discovered through travel. That’s how our Southeast Asian-inspired snack mixes were born. Today, we offer bold and unique flavors like furikake, sinigang, spicy sinigang, and Isaan Laab,  each one crafted to tell a story and spark a connection.

Our products solve a unique problem for our customers—they satisfy cravings for bold, one-of-a-kind flavors while offering a connection to cultural roots or the chance to explore something entirely new. For many of our customers, these snacks remind them of home or transport them to places they’ve dreamed of visiting.

What sets us apart is the authenticity and intentionality behind everything we do. Each product is a labor of love, made in small batches to ensure quality. We’re not just selling snacks—we’re sharing stories, memories, and a piece of our culture. From the buttery, chewy goodness of our mochi to the tangy, umami-packed punch of our sinigang snack mix, every bite reflects who we are and where we come from.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built through this business. It’s incredible to see how food brings people together. Whether it’s someone tasting furikake for the first time or another person saying, “This reminds me of my childhood,” these moments fuel my passion and remind me why I started this journey.

What I want potential clients and followers to know is that this brand is about more than snacks—it’s about creating connections and celebrating culture. Whether you’re craving something familiar or curious to try something new, we’re here to offer you a delicious experience that’s full of heart. With every bite, you’re not just enjoying a snack; you’re savoring flavors from my travels, my childhood, and the many incredible people I’ve met along the way.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

This business actually started as a side hustle. Before launching it, I was working full-time as a private chef. My work in the culinary world gave me invaluable experience and strengthened my passion for experimenting with flavors and creating dishes that bring people joy. Even though I loved being a private chef, I always felt a pull to create something of my own, something that connected more deeply with my personal roots and love for food.

It began with me baking butter mochi for friends and family gatherings. The positive feedback I received was overwhelming. People kept asking for more, and soon, I was baking on weekends and after work to fulfill small orders. The demand kept growing, and I realized I had something special.

A key milestone came when I participated in my first local pop-up market. I wasn’t sure how people would respond, but to my surprise, my booth sold out within hours. It was a turning point that gave me the confidence to take my business more seriously. I began experimenting with more flavors and developing the snack mix line inspired by my travels.

Scaling up from a side hustle to a full-time business was not without challenges. Another major step was launching an online store, making it possible to share my snacks with people across the U.S. Each step required a leap of faith, but seeing the positive responses from customers made it all worth it.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I actually don’t have a formal cofounder, but my husband, Efren Renon, has been an integral part of this journey. We met online many years ago and quickly connected over our shared love for food and culture. Efren has always supported my creative ventures, from taste-testing my early recipes to helping me brainstorm flavor ideas for the snack mixes. His encouragement gave me the confidence to turn this passion into a business. While I’m the one handling the day-to-day operations, Efren’s feedback and ideas have been instrumental in shaping our offerings. In many ways, he’s been my unofficial business partner from the very beginning.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.saltedcowbake.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltedcowbake