2022 Taiwanese American Gift Guide: Shop your community!

If you’re a champion of MIT “Made in Taiwan” shopping principles (or if you need help brainstorming the perfect gift for your “I have everything I need” parents), may we suggest a peek into MBTA “Made by Taiwanese Americans.” We’re so proud to bring back this annual gift guide for the *third* time, highlighting Taiwanese American small businesses, brands, and creators. We know there’s more out there – reach out if that’s you at leona@taiwaneseamerican.org. We’re rooting for each of you!

See last year’s gift guide here.

TAIWANESEAMERICAN.ORG DISCOUNT CODES & AFFILIATE LINKS:

Support independent bookstores and TaiwaneseAmerican.org by purchasing print books from Bookshop.

Take 10% off DAE Tea with promo code TAORG. New customers only and through 1/15/23.

Take 10.10% off Half Sugar Less Ice with promo code TAORG through 10/10/23.

Cover Photo (above):

01 – HOW WE SAY I LOVE YOU, a debut picture book out now from @ncheny⁠
02 – The ultimate carryall tote from @notebooksandhoney⁠
03 – 14K Gold Filled Hand-Hammered Pearl Earrings from @a_touch_of_hue⁠
04 – NY-based pearls, stones, & recycled gold jewelry from @occasionally.sweet⁠
05 – The first specialty Taiwanese coffee roasted in the US – @theformosacoffee⁠
06 – Award-winning, evidence-based educational game “Empower Empathy” for social/emotional/life skills by @mytinysprouts⁠

A Jar of Pickles | Stationery, stickers, stamps, & more

“Hi, I’m Kirstie! A Jar of Pickles is my side business that I started as an Etsy shop in college.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Boba Clear Vinyl Sticker / Zongzi Sticky Rice Dumpling Vinyl Sticker

Chuan’s Promise | Sustainable, natural skincare

“My dad’s entrepreneurial spirit always inspired me, and it was only through this experience that I realized I wanted to create something that would meet my needs and my values: an all natural, handcrafted, sustainable, eco-friendly and affordable skincare line. After a few months of research and testing, Chuan’s Promise was born.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Complete Self-Care Set – 3 oz clay mask & accessories

Formosa Coffee | Taiwan-grown, New York-roasted coffee

“The coffee beans we use come directly from our farms on the mountains of central Taiwan at an elevation of 3,500-4,000ft. Grown in volcanic soil, our beans produce an exquisitely smooth taste without the bitterness and strong acidity. It is a mild coffee perfectly balanced in flavor and aroma. We roast every order on the day of shipping in New York, which means you always get the freshest coffee at peak flavor.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Premium Taiwan Coffee | $20 for 8oz.

Té Company | Taiwanese Tea Company

“Té is a New York-based tea company specializing in Taiwanese tea. Founded in 2012 by Elena Liao and Frederico Ribeiro, the company sources exquisite teas directly from small farmers in Taiwan. In addition to an array of loose leaf tea, Té is known for its exceptional tea snacks, including the beloved Pineapple Linzer.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Anniversary Tote Bag

Shop all from Té Company
Follow Té Company on Instagram and Spotify

Half Sugar Less Ice | Boba and Taiwan Hats

“Thanks for stopping by! I’m Julia, a California-based Taiwanese American designer who’s addicted to boba, black sesame, matcha, and cheesy bilingual jokes.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Taiwan Love Embroidered Hat

Shop all from Half Sugar Less Ice
Follow Half Sugar Less Ice on Instagram

The Wax Apple | Taiwanese Grandma-Inspired Products

“The Wax Apple is all the things that are like a day with my Grandmother in Taiwan.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Mary Jane Flat (Velvet Black)

Shop all from The Wax Apple
Follow The Wax Apple on Instagram or Facebook

A Touch of Hue | Taiwanese Hand-Made Jewelry

“Each piece is designed and slow-made by me, with the core value of accessible, high-quality craftsmanship in every design. Made with 14 karats of gold-filled wire, a luxurious mix of semi-precious healing stones, and Japanese silk thread. Everything is one-of-a-kind and made in small batches. No waste. No mass production.”

Pictured Editor’s Picks: Be the sunshine! – Sunstone Bracelet (left), One of a Kind Beach Vibe Multi-gem Necklace (right)

Shop all from A Touch of Hue
Follow A Touch of Hue on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest

Occasionally Sweet | Handcrafted Jewelry Inspired by Mother Nature

“Rooted in the founder’s childhood experience in the mountains, Occasionally Sweet is underpinned by the exuberance of the unexpected and unbounded delights our natural surroundings offer. Hence, we are here to dedicate our brand to capture the long-forgotten inner child and nurture a safe space for that spirit to thrive.”

Pictured Editor’s Picks: 14K Halfmoon Studs, 14K Confetti Bracelet

Shop all from Occasionally Sweet
Follow Occasionally Sweet on Instagram

Leira Oak Designs | Hand-made Polymer Clay Earrings

I love the idea of having the only pair of something, so I won’t be batch making any products like many other (very talented) clay earring makers. My earrings are truly one-of-a-kind! Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you find the design that speaks to you!

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Dani Set Polymer Clay Earrings

Shop all from Leira Oak Designs
Follow Leira Oak Designs on Instagram or Pinterest

Dae Tea | Fifth Generation family-owned award-winning Taiwanese tea

“This tea collection recently won the Grand Gold Prize at the 2022 World Green Tea Contest held in Japan. Tea drinkers will discover classic oolong teas from the most prominent tea regions in Taiwan, from the time-honored Dong Ding region to the premium LiShan high mountain region. Each tea leaf is strictly plucked by hand from the highest quality tea gardens. All of them epitomize timeless tasting profiles that take oolong tea connoisseurs on a palate journey through Taiwan.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Journey of Taiwan Collection (Pre-order)

What’s Inside:

• Roasted High Mountain Oolong Tea – Roasted pine nuts with a sugar cane finish
• High Mountain Black Tea – Woodsy layered with hints of apple and honey
• Roasted Dong Ding Oolong Tea – Mellow longan and roasted nut with a subtle honey finish
• LiShan High Mountain Oolong Tea – Sweet and buttery with notes of vanilla, melon and cherry blossoms

Take 10% off Dae Tea with promo code TAORG10 through 1/15/2023
Shop all from Dae Tea
Follow Dae Tea on Instagram

The Little Pup-up Shop | Kawaii Dog Toys and Accessories

“The Little Pup-Up Shop offers the cutest kawaii-style dog toys and accessories from unique artists and quality brands so that you and your pup can share more joy with each other every day!”

Pictured Editor’s Picks: Big XLB Dumpling Poop Holder, Sushi Bed with Two Sushi Crinkle Toys, Nosework Takoyaki

Shop all from The Little Pup-up Shop
Follow The Little Pup-up Shop on Instagram or TikTok

What a Cutie | Fashionable and Functional Dog Accessories

“We are a small, Asian female owned business based in Brooklyn, NY. At What a Cutie, we specialize in high-quality BioThane gears that are waterproof, stink-proof and super easy to clean! We want to provide dog owners with dog accessories that are not only functional but also fashionable, so you don’t have to choose in between the two.”

Pictured Editor’s Picks: Infinity Leash, Spoil Dog Club Crewneck

Shop all from What a Cutie
Follow What a Cutie on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or TikTok

Rex Made This | Versatile Home Goods

“Each Rex Made This product is designed to last and each is a unique reflection of my happiest memories in my favorite places, with my favorite people, expressed in watercolor layered with loose sketch-like illustrations.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: “Dumpling” Tea Towel

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Follow Rex Made This on Instagram

Impromptu Spices | Spice Blends for Nostalgic Dishes

“Impromptu flavors for unreasonable cravings. Sometimes, you just crave a bowl of Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup with no shop in sight. Unreasonable? Not if you have an Impromptu spice blend.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Beef Noodle Soup Spice Blend

Shop all from Impromptu Spices

Felicia Liang | Taiwanese America-Inspired Art

“Felicia Liang is a multidisciplinary artist and illustrator based in the Bay Area, California. Her work is inspired by the cultures and communities she’s around, as well as her own inner musings. She began drawing as a way to tell stories, with a focus on her Taiwanese American upbringing and Chinatowns in New York and California. She creates to explore her place in the world, build community, and illustrate both the beauty and weirdness of everyday life.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Asian Pantry Staples Art Print 11”X14”

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Follow Felicia Liang on Instagram or Twitter

Boba Jelly Art | Asian Food-Inspired Prints

“A fusion of modern art and Asian food.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Lu Rou Fan Print

Shop all from Boba Jelly Art
Follow Boba Jelly Art on Etsy

AJ Stickers | Variety of Stickers

“Empowering women-in-STEM one sticker at a time.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Stinky Tofu 2.5” Sticker

Shop all from AJ Stickers
Follow AJ Stickers on Instagram

Yun Hai 雲海 Shop | Premium Ingredients for Chinese and Taiwanese Cooking

“Our team helps small food businesses based in Taiwan prepare their product for commercial import to an eager audience in the United States. We intend to bring visibility to the culture, cuisine, and independence of Taiwan while offering a selection of fine and fancy ingredients for Chinese cooking.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Tatung Electric Rice Cooker and Steamer

Shop all from Yun Hai Shop
Follow Yun Hai Shop on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram

Mama Liang’s | Taiwanese Comfort Food

“Our brand is part of the Taiwanese food revolution and we want to set the standard for those who are not afraid of bold cultural dishes of creative innovation. We are the leaders in bringing modern Taiwanese food out into the open for those to enjoy conveniently at home and look forward to keeping your bellies full.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Taiwan Night Market Adventure Small Dishes (serves 6)

Shop all from Mama Liang’s
Follow Mama Liang’s on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest

Felicia Liang | Taiwanese America-Inspired Art

“Felicia Liang is a multidisciplinary artist and illustrator based in the Bay Area, California. Her work is inspired by the cultures and communities she’s around, as well as her own inner musings. She began drawing as a way to tell stories, with a focus on her Taiwanese American upbringing and Chinatowns in New York and California. She creates to explore her place in the world, build community, and illustrate both the beauty and weirdness of everyday life.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Rechao (Taiwanese Stir Fry) Art Print 8”X10”, 16”X20”

Shop all from Felicia Liang
Follow Felicia Liang on Instagram or Twitter

AnnSunn | Pins, Stickers, and Goodies

“I started my shop as a creative outlet, aimed to spark smiles, nostalgia, and happiness. I hope that my pins, stickers, and other small goodies remind you of sentimental moments.”

Shop all from AnnSunn
Follow AnnSunn on Instagram

The Wax Apple | Taiwanese Grandma-Inspired Products

“The Wax Apple is all the things that are like a day with my Grandmother in Taiwan.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Handwoven Metal Wire Basket – Infinity Handle

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Follow The Wax Apple on Instagram or Facebook

Bitty Bao | Bilingual Book Series for Babies

“We look forward to showing you highlights of our labor-of-love book making process, road to publishing, and all the fun we have along the way. (Mostly in the middle of the night after all our bitty babes are in bed and our houses are finally quiet!) We are so proud to announce our book series (in its infancy), #BittyBao – bitty books for bitty babes!”

Pictured Editor’s Picks: Bilingual Books Bundle: Skewers, Next Stop: Taipei!, and Night Market

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Our Little Mando | Bilingual Children’s Books

“We create children’s books written in Chinese, Zhuyin, Pinyin, and English that are fun and engaging for little ones on their bilingual journey!”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: A Little Book of Taiwanese Eats: A Bopomofo Foodie Book
By Maryann Chu
Illustrated by Stephany Lai

“A Little Book of Taiwanese Eats is a lovable rhyming book celebrating the tastiest Taiwanese dishes following our phonetic alphabet, also known as ‘Bopomofo’ or ‘Zhuyin.'”

Shop all from Our Little Mando
Follow Our Little Mando on Instagram or Facebook

TACL-LYF Taiwanese Homestyle Cooking Cookbook

“Produced by Taiwanese American Citizens League – Leading Youth Forward (TACL-LYF), the book is a beautiful compilation of recipes written, tested, and passed down by our Taiwanese moms and grandmas around the world in collaboration with 2nd generation Taiwanese Americans. It includes suggested menus for various occasions and quick guidelines for prep time, complexity level, and significance in Taiwanese culture.”

Order Taiwanese Homestyle Cooking Cookbook ($32.99 donation per book to TACL-LYF)
All proceeds directly support the annual TACL-LYF Summer Camp, a weeklong overnight camp dedicated to helping the next generation of Taiwanese American youth explore TA identity and grow as people.

Follow TACL-LYF on Instagram or Facebook

Win Son Presents: A Taiwanese American Cookbook

By Josh Ku and Trigg Brown with Cathy Erway

“A modern, brashly flavorful guide to cooking Taiwanese-American food, from Brooklyn’s lauded Win Son, Win Son Bakery, and Cathy Erway, celebrated writer and expert on the cuisine… With 100 creative, yet accessible recipes, this book will unravel the history of this diaspora cuisine. While featuring classic dishes and well-known favorites, this cookbook also stretches this cuisine’s definition, introducing new dishes with brazen twists that are fun, flavorful, and decidedly American-born in style.”

Purchase Win Son Cookbook
Follow Win Son on Instagram

Yun Hai Tatung Family Cookbook 大同雲海電鍋家常食譜

By Lisa Cheng Smith

“To show the wide breadth of capabilities of the Tatung Rice Cooker and Steamer, we put together this cookbook featuring ten traditional Taiwanese recipes, all prepared in the Tatung. It was written by Lisa Cheng Smith with recipe development support by Lillian Lin and Cat Yeh. Design by O.oo; photography by Robert Bredvad, with art direction by Stephanie H. Shih and food styling by Jessie YuChen.”

Purchase Yun Hai Tatung Family Cookbook
Shop all from Yun Hai Shop
Follow Yun Hai Shop on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram

The Food of Taiwan: Recipes from the Beautiful Island

By Cathy Erway

“One of the first books published in the US to offer a comprehensive guide on the topic, The Food of Taiwan takes a long look at a fascinating cuisine. Written by half-Taiwanese food writer Cathy Erway (Not Eating Out In New York), it includes nearly 100 recipes ranging from old-fashioned homestyle dishes to the latest street-food crazes. Easy-to-follow recipes and scenic photography by Pete Lee showcase the delicious flavors of the island, to be savored by home cooks all over.”

Purchase The Food of Taiwan Cookbook https://thefoodoftaiwan.com/
Follow The Food of Taiwan on Facebook and Cathy Erway on Twitter

First Generation: Recipes from My Taiwanese-American Home

By Frankie Gaw

“I wanted to write a cookbook to celebrate the first-generation Asian American experience. To reflect on an identity that reflects the resilience of the immigrant spirit through recipes and stories… Immigrants and their stories are the heart of America and are what make this country thrive. First Generation is just one of those stories and I can’t wait to share it with you.”

Purchase First Generation Cookbook
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Follow Frankie Gaw on Instagram or YouTube

Noodle Taco: A Taiwanese-Mexican-American Culinary Adventure

By Peg Cheng and Marcus Donner

“Noodle Taco is a Taiwanese-Mexican-American culinary adventure that shares the cherished family recipes and stories passed down from our mothers to the next generation. Includes recipes for wontons, pork chop noodles, flour tortillas, tamales and more.”

Purchase Noodle Taco Cookbook
Follow Noodle Taco

Miss Modi | Handcrafted Enamel Jewelry

“Miss Modi designs are an embodiment of my childhood memories growing up in Taiwan, personal stories, inspirations, and all things unique about Taiwanese and American culture.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Boba Bear Enamel Jewelry

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Follow Miss Modi on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram

Mina Learns Chinese | Bilingual Children’s Books

“Fluency in a language is most easily gained if a child is exposed within the first few years of life. I created these books for non-native speakers and like-minded parents interested in fostering the development of dual-language with their children… My mission is to add more Asian faces into the world of children’s books and to leave a legacy for my daughters by creating books where they can see themselves reflected in them.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: I Love Boba! Bilingual Children’s Book

Shop all from Mina Learns Chinese
Follow Mina Learns Chinese on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube

Jiffy Boba | Marine Collagen Boba

“The idea for Jiffy Boba started with Elvon’s aunt who owns a fish farm. At the time, the fish farm was producing tons of unutilized marine collagen. This inspired him to create Jiffy Boba — a tapioca product that supports skin and joint health made from fresh marine collagen — never from collagen powder. After many iterations, Elvon invented instant collagen boba. Unlike other boba on the market, Jiffy Boba has 1g of protein and 1,840 mg of collagen per serving. Now, it’s easy to make a delicious boba drink in 60 seconds using either a microwave or a pot of boiling water.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Premium Assam Collagen Instant Boba Milk Tea Kits

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Follow Jiffy Boba on Instagram or Facebook

Half Sugar Less Ice | Boba and Taiwan Hats

“A California-based Taiwanese American designer who’s addicted to boba, black sesame, matcha, and cheesy bilingual jokes.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Boba Time Bucket Hat (10.10% off with code TAORG)

Shop all from Half Sugar Less Ice
Follow Half Sugar Less Ice on Instagram

TWRL Milk Tea | Plant-Based Milk Tea Lattes

“TWRL Milk Tea was founded on an obsession to make milk tea latte—a quintessential Asian drink that we love—even better. The result is a plant-based milk tea that gets its pure, clean flavor from ethically sourced premium teas rather than artificial flavors and heaps of sugar.”

Pictured Editor’s Picks: Hojicha Roasted Green Tea, Original Black Milk Tea, Supreme Jasmine

Shop all from TWRL Milk Tea
Follow TWRL Milk Tea on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, or YouTube

The Ponnery | Pom Pom Jewelry and Accessories

“Playful pom pom jewelry and accessories inspired by Asian American food and culture. Each product is designed and hand-made with love in San Francisco.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Bubble Tea Pom Pom Earrings

Shop all from The Ponnery
Follow The Ponnery on Facebook, Instagram, or Mailing List

Lai Berry | Stickers, Prints, and More

“Cute stickers, prints and more!”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Boba Bear Enamel Pin

Shop all from Lai Berry
Follow Lai Berry on Instagram

The Wax Apple | Taiwanese Grandma-Inspired Products

“The Wax Apple is all the things that are like a day with my Grandmother in Taiwan.”

Pictured Editor’s Picks: Woven Throw – Thao Indigenous, Wax Apple Sculpture by Juliana Hung

Shop all from The Wax Apple
Follow The Wax Apple on Instagram or Facebook

ILHA Candles | Hand-Poured Soy Candles

“The name ‘Ilha’ comes from my parents’ native country of Taiwan. When Portuguese sailors came upon the island in the 1500s, they named it ‘Ilha Formosa,’ which means “beautiful island.” I wanted to give a nod to my heritage while connecting it to my life on another beautiful island, New York City. ILHA Candles is an Asian American, female founded company. We proudly create fragrant soy candles and a variety of home fragrance products using natural ingredients and toxin-free fragrances.”

Pictured Editor’s Pick: Jasmine Green Tea Soy Candle (10% of net proceeds of Jasmine Green Tea are donated to TaiwaneseAmerican.org!)

Shop all from ILHA Candles
Follow ILHA Candles on Instagram or Facebook

Mogutable | Tableware and Home Goods

“Founded in 2019 by sisters Yingchi and Yuchen, Mogutable (pronounced “mo-gu-table”) was born from a love of food and the experience of it — a realization that meals weren’t necessarily about the food itself, but the stories told through the setting and objects used to accompany it. Born and raised in Taiwan, and now based in Brooklyn, the sister duo were at the intersection of both American and East Asian designs. Today, Mogutable offers a number of well-designed, beautiful tableware, and home goods from Japan, Taiwan, S. Korea, and here in the U.S. that are thoughtfully curated, and then shared with those who share the same love of elevating daily routines and objects in their lives.”

Pictured Editor’s Picks: Zhitaofang Pleated Teapot in White, Footed Dessert Cup in Silver White, EGDD Snap Froots – Wooden Pineapple Air Plant Holder

Shop all from Mogutable
Follow Mogutable on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest

Shop these titles and other curated works by and about Taiwanese Americans at our bookshop.org collection


Shop these titles and other curated works by and about Taiwanese Americans at our bookshop.org collection


Shop these titles and other curated works by and about Taiwanese Americans at our bookshop.org collection

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2020 Taiwanese American Holiday Gift Guide: Shop small, shop early! 2021 Taiwanese American Gift Guide: Shop small businesses, and shop them early! Shop Your Community: Mid-Autumn Festival Gift Guide Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Celebrate Friends and Family!