Kira is half Japanese and half Chinese, and her childhood was shaped by both cultures. She grew up hearing “gochiso-sama” at her Baaba's (meaning grandma in Japanese) house - a simple way of saying thank you for the meal. On her Chinese side, her Gong Gong (meaning grandpa in Chinese), was the cook of the family, always with a wok sizzling and something delicious on the stove. And every holiday season, her mom, named Coco, made her furikake snack mix for friends and family. Their home became the hangout spot — partly because the pantry was always stocked, and partly because food was how her family stayed connected.
Brandon is half Korean and half Irish, and his home life blended both sides of his identity. His Umma (meaning mom in Korean) was the cook of the family, filling the house with the smells of soups, stir-fries, and banchan. She ran a small Korean restaurant in Edmonds, WA for almost ten years, carrying on the cooking traditions she learned from her own mother, who once fed hungry students near Seoul University. From his Irish side, Brandon grew up with the familiar comfort foods and everyday grocery staples that grounded his childhood in a different way. Together, those experiences shaped how he thought about flavor, family, and what “home” tastes like.
Gochiso started with Coco’s original mix and grew from there. In our home kitchen, we began experimenting with flavors inspired by our Japanese, Chinese, and Korean roots - creating snack mixes that felt nostalgic to us, yet inviting for everyone. We shared small batches with friends, refined what people loved, and built recipes that reflect who we are.
Inspired by the flavors we grew up with, our East Asian-inspired snack mixes are our way of sharing gratitude, connection and culture in every bite!
