Onggi's 2024 Gift Guide!
In a world full of instant everything, we’re celebrating the slow, steady, and beautifully unpredictable process of fermentation. We’re advocating for small makers, local ingredients, and passionate artisans. This year’s Onggi Gift Guide brings you a handpicked selection of gifts that honor the craft, patience, and artistry that go into every jar, bottle, and batch. Whether you're gifting a seasoned fermenter or a kitchen newcomer, these gifts are sure to inspire, delight, and add something special to every day!
For the one who has their next flight booked
Shopping for someone with perpetual wanderlust? These international flavors will transport their taste buds across continents. Food lets you travel the world without ever leaving your kitchen. Think of it as a passport for their pantry!
The Onggi Matcha Kit
Everything you need for the perfect matcha bev—this kit comes with a stunning matcha bowl you’ll love to reach for, whisk, whisk holder, scoop, and strainer. A ritual based on hundreds of years of tradition and care transporting you straight to Uji, the home of matcha!
Libellula Classico
Sustainably harvested by an Italian collective of small olive growers, these Leccino olives make this extra virgin olive oil shine. Floral, herbal, and light, it’s perfect for salad dressings or drizzling over your latest creation.
Sourcery Nutmeg
This regenerative farm-sourced, freshly cracked nutmeg is worlds away from the dusty stuff in the back of the pantry. With warm, spicy notes and a touch of citrus, it elevates eggnogs, curries, and baked goods alike. Perfect for globetrotters who want a touch of Indian spice at home.
Tart Ocean Vinegar
This briny, bright vinegar captures the essence of the sea with a tart finish that’s perfect for salads, ceviches, or adding to a cold glass of sparkling water. It’s like bottling the spirit of a Maine ocean breeze. Made with Maine-sourced kombu, bladderwrack, and Irish sea moss, this vinegar from Tart is a moody day treasure.
Empress Mango Hot Sauce
Sweet, spicy, and tropical, this naturally fermented Taiwanese hot sauce blends juicy mangoes with a mild but present kick. Ideal for fish tacos, grilled shrimp, or even as a dip for plantain chips. It’s a bold, sunny flavor escape for heat seekers.
Shima Crab Shoyu
An umami-packed soy sauce infused with the essence of ocean-fresh crab, perfect for adding depth to soups, marinades, and dipping sauces. One drizzle and they’ll be packing their bags for coastal Japan. A must-have for seafood and soy lovers alike.
Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking
A deep dive into the fermented pastes and sauces that form the heart of Korean cuisine, this gorgeous book will inspire anyone to look up flights to Seoul. Full of recipes and stories that celebrate the transformative power of gochujang, doenjang, and ganjang, it's a flavorful guide to understanding Korea’s culinary soul.
Villbrigg Fjell 01
Put on your chicest outfit, we’re heading to Copenhagen! Fruity wild lingonberry, herbaceous rosemary, and citrusy floral lemongrass make up the slightly sweet and complex character of this non-alcoholic bev. For food pairings—think rosé, it goes with everything!
For the one who loves a good project
These picks are all about sparking creativity in the kitchen—whether it’s fermenting, baking, or preserving, there’s something here for anyone who loves a good challenge with a tasty payoff. It’s the kind of gift that keeps on giving, long after the holidays are over.
Onggi Fermentation Crock
This is our crock! With its built-in water well airlock, this Onggi handcrafted ceramic crock is designed to make fermenting a breeze. Ideal for kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles, you name it, the 0.75g vessel is the perfect size and easy-to-use for those finally starting that pickle project they’ve been dreaming about. Designed by our bud Troy Yoshimoto and made locally by C&M Ceramics.
Sourdough kit
Making sourdough at home is the ultimate in winter projects, and keeps your home warm and smelling delicious! Keeping a ferment happy means taking time every day to connect with it. Seasoned bakers will even name their ferments—it’s like a pet! This kit has everything you need to get going at home—a sourdough starter from Maine Grains, banneton, dough scraper, dough whisk, lame, and tea towel.
Oshinko Fermentation Press
Everyone’s favorite sidekick for whipping up quick, crunchy pickles in no time, this press is a hardworking helper that’s as stylish as it is functional—perfect for making tsukemono or any veggie snack. Compact, easy to clean, and endlessly fun to experiment with, this little press makes fermentation feel effortless and exciting and is a great gift for any new-to-fermentation practitioner.
Koji Alchemy
An ode to an ingredient that’s quietly revolutionized kitchens around the world, Koji Alchemy is a project lover’s encyclopedia. Koji isn’t just a mold—it’s a powerhouse of flavor transformation, and authors Umansky and Shih make its magic approachable for cooks of all levels. With recipes, techniques, and plenty of inspiration, this book takes you deep into the alchemy of miso, amazake, shoyu, and beyond. Pair it with the cedar koji tray to get your loved one started and raring to go!
Richard Hart Bread: Intuitive Sourdough Baking
Written by Richard Hart, a master baker and former member of the Noma team, this book guides readers through the intuitive art of sourdough. It emphasizes a hands-on approach, perfect for bakers seeking to connect with their craft. Hart shares tips honed in his Copenhagen bakery, showcasing the beauty of simple, naturally leavened bread.
For the chef in the friend group
For the creative in your circle who’s always testing recipes, plating perfectly, and casually whipping up sauces you’ve never heard of, this is the gift guide. Filled with unique ingredients and high-quality essentials, these picks will inspire new dishes and make their home feel like their own personal test kitchen.
Best of Maine Gift Box
A tribute to the pine tree state, this gift box is bursting with Maine flavor. We’re celebrating local craftsmanship and terroir. Inside—Maine harvested sea salt, raw unfiltered honey, spicy wild blueberry Sriracha, Maine Beer Co. Lunch mustard, tomato vinegar from West Maquoit, and preserved lemon from Liquid Crush.
Maine Garum Co. Fish Sauce
A sustainable, umami-rich fish sauce crafted from local eels from American Unagi. It adds deep, savory complexity to any dish, from stir-fries to salad dressings. A thoughtful gift for chefs who care about flavor and sustainability.
Sonoko Sakai Whole Spice Curry Brick Kit
Meal prepping? We got you covered. There are 36 servings in this build-your-own Japanese curry bricks kit, made with 17 Diaspora-sourced spices. Blended to perfection, each tablespoon adds warmth and personality to savory dishes.
Jeju Nature + Vinegar Tangerine Balsamic
This tangerine balsamic is made from the famous Korean tangerines of Jeju Island, perfect for drizzling over salads, roasted veggies, or desserts. It’s sweet, tangy, and bursting with tropical notes.
Pottery Farm Wood Fired Crock
Handmade and timeless, this Maine made wood-fired fermentation crock is perfect for home fermenters who appreciate craftsmanship and tradition. Stunning and one-of-a-kind, these four gallon crocks add beauty and functionality to larger projects.
The Fermentation Kitchen by Sam Cooper
We’re gushing over Sam Cooper’s fermentation know-how. If The Noma Guide To Fermentation was a little too much for you, this book is right up your alley. Sam Cooper’s new book is a must-have for home chefs eager to explore the transformative power of fermentation. With clear, accessible techniques and a wide range of recipes, the process of creating staples like kimchi, miso, and koji is made clear while inspiring creative uses for ferments in everyday cooking. Easy to follow along with instructions and helpful photos, this book is a fit for a seasoned fermenter or someone just starting.
Yuzuco Sudachi Super Juice
This concentrated Japanese citrus juice delivers a punch of bright, tangy flavor with every drop. Ideal for dressings, cocktails, and marinades, it’s a chef’s secret weapon. A taste of sunshine in a bottle.
Wafu Cooking: Everyday Recipes with a Japanese Style
The newest release from Japanese-American cookbook writer and educator Sonoko Sakai, this cookbook is an inviting guide to incorporating Japanese-inspired flavors into your everyday meals. Wafu Cooking: Everyday Recipes with a Japanese Style blends traditional techniques with accessible ingredients, sharing recipes that are both innovative and easy to follow. This book is perfect for home cooks looking to bring the elegance and simplicity of Japanese cooking into their kitchens.
For the cozy homebody
This one’s for the introverts who know that the best vibes are found right at home. Soulful teas and latte mixes, gorgeous ceramics, and a mix of sweet and savory delights. It’s all about comfort, care, and delicious moments made to savor.
Spread The Love Gift Box
This pre-built Spread the Love gift box brings together the perfect mix of sweet, savory, and citrusy delights. Nam Prik Pao Thai Chili Jam has a mild, sweet heat, the Red Bean Spread brings rich earthy sweetness amazing for baking or eating right out of the jar. Miso Caramel is a sundae staple with an irresistible savory-sweet combo. Black Sesame Crunchy Butter delivers nutty depth and texture, while Yuzu Marmalade adds a burst of bright, tangy citrus. This box is a little sweet, a little spicy, and completely irresistible.
Onggi Kinto Travel Tumbler
Our favorite Kinto tumblers, lovingly adorned with the Onggi touch. This vacuum-insulated stainless steel tumbler will keep your matcha latte hot and brown sugar milk iced coffee cold all day. These are our absolute faves!
Kettl Houjicha Powder
If you like chai and you like matcha, you’re about to love houjicha. This roasty toasty green tea powder is less caffeinated and adds comforting caramel notes to lattes and baked goods. This mid-day latte is a perfect match to a warm blanket and a good book.
Onggi Patch Apron
A stylish, durable apron that’s as functional as it is charming. Whether they’re baking, brewing, or just cooking up a storm, it’s a dinner party planner’s dream uniform. Plus, those patches? Adorable.
Kukicha Tea Sachets
Harvested from tender twigs and stems of Japanese tea plants, kukicha offers a mellow, nutty flavor with a low caffeine content. It's sustainably grown and expertly crafted to deliver a soothing brew perfect for the wind down. Each sustainably-crafted sachet captures the elegant artistry of Japanese tea-making traditions.
Cultures for Health Kombucha Starter Culture
Brew fizzy, probiotic-packed kombucha in your kitchen with this easy-to-use kit. It’s a project and a treat rolled into one, perfect for health-conscious homebodies. Pairs well with The Big Book of Kombucha, full of unique flavor combinations to try.
For the one who loves a bevvy
For the beverage enthusiast who has three drinks on hand at all times, we put together all the tools and ingredients for their next great sip. From tart vinegars for shrubs to alcohol-free wines and syrups that pack a flavorful punch, these gifts celebrate the art of creative drink-making. Add in a few inspiring reads to guide their next concoction, and they’ll be raising a glass to you all season long.
Muri Fade To Black Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Red
We're obsessed with Muri's complex (& non-alcoholic) fermented beverages! Fruity, effervescent, and slightly tannic, Fade to Black is a juicy and satisfying red made with currants, chamomile, and fig leaf, and pine needles. Serve as a party aperitif!
St. Agrestis Phony Negroni
Piney, citrusy, and herbal with all the bitter complexity of a Negroni without the alcohol, beautifully bottled and ready to pour. Perfect for aperitivo hour or mocktail enthusiasts. Perfect for fans of a good drink, buzz optional.
Chai Wallahs of Maine Assam Black Chai Tea
A great chai blend is hard to find. You want spicy but not overwhelming with a hint of sweetness. Chai Wallahs delivers a perfect base, with organically sourced ingredients blended right here in Maine. Makes 30 bags for the ultimate wintertime gift that keeps on giving. Just add your choice of milk and sweetener (we like honey), and you’re ready to cozy up.
Slow Drinks: A Field Guide to Foraging and Fermenting Seasonal Sodas, Botanical Cocktails, Homemade Wines, and More
Love a little bevvy? Make your own! This guide is packed with ideas for handcrafted beverages with foraging, fermentation, and creativity at its core. From botanical sodas to wild wines, it’s a treasure trove for drink enthusiasts. Packed with approachable recipes, this book celebrates seasonal ingredients and sustainable practices.
Sake: The Art and Craft of Japan’s National Drink
A beautifully designed book exploring the history, culture, and craft of sake. It’s an inspiring read for anyone curious about this iconic Japanese beverage. Pair it with a bottle of Junmai Daiginjo for the ultimate sake lover’s gift.
Jeju Lemon Cheong
Get creative—this bright, zesty Korean lemon syrup is perfect for cocktails, teas, and marinades. It adds a pop of sunshine to any drink or dish. It’s made with squeezed pesticide-free lemons (peel and all!) for a full spectrum lemony flavor. Sweet, tangy, and endlessly versatile.
O.R.N. Omija Extract
This vibrant, fruity concentrate is made from Korean omija berries, also known as “five-flavor berries.” It’s sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami all at once, perfect for crafted cocktails or added to sparkling water for a unique and delicious zing.
For the one who can’t have enough condiments
If you’re shopping for someone who puts ketchup, mustard, pickles, chili crisp, and potato chips on your hot dog, this gift guide is for you. Those in the know know that condiments are the key to a great dish, and we’ve pulled some of our very favorites—the ones you can’t help but reach for, no matter what’s on the plate. Spreads, pickles, sauces, and toppings galore!
Onggi Essentials Gift Box
The king of gifts for all condiment-heads, this pre-assembled box comes with all the sauces and spreads we hold dear. Wild mushroom chili sauce, matcha milk jam, preserved lemon, zhoug hot sauce, our spicy sichuan peanuts, and the best traditional soy sauce you may ever have—this gift box has it all. It’s a sweet, spicy, tangy, gift that delights.
Yume Boshi Umeboshi Plums
Intensely tangy and salty, these traditional Japanese pickled plums pack a punch in rice dishes, salads, and sauces. Bold, floral, and fruity, this Oakland-made classic pickle is a favorite for onigiri filling.
Bungkus Bagus Sambal Goreng - Jumbo
Once you try these incredible spicy garlicky crisps, your condiment game is never going to be the same. You’re going to be testing these little jolts of flavor on everything you make, and it’s all somehow going to work. Add on top of popcorn, eggs, rice, noodles, heck—even vanilla iced cream! We’ve tried it and it works!!
KariKari Chili Crisp
Karikari means “crispy” in Japanese, and this chili crisp lives up to its name. Packed with garlic, shallots, and a bit of szechuan peppercorn for tingle, this is a bestseller for a reason. Add to spreads, stir fries, fried rice, and especially your morning scramble.
Ewing Fruit Co Wild Maine Blueberry Sriracha
Have a hot-sauce aficionado on your list? Bet they’ve never tried this! A unique take on sriracha blends the sweetness of wild Maine blueberries with a fiery chili heat. Its vibrant flavor complements everything from grilled meats to breakfast bowls.
Onino Chili Crisp - Large
It’s huge! This big boy Onino is an absolute crowdpleaser. An approachable level of heat paired with the nutty crunchy smoky almondy mix make this condiment a staple. Put on everything in sight—it’s as good of a hummus or guac topper as it is added to sizzling tofu or fish tacos.
Queens Jujube Gochujang
The soul of Korean cooking, gochujang is the umami and spicy ingredient of our dreams! Made by the geniuses at Queens SF, this stuff is as good as it gets!!
Pink Salt Kitchens Nam Prik Pao
A Thai-inspired chili jam, Nam Prik Pao expertly balances the sweet, the spicy, and the savory. Made in small batches in Chicago, it’s versatile enough for stir-fries, dips, or my favorite—just slathering on a hunk of toast. Garlic, shallot, and tamarind come together for tang, umami, and depth.
For the professional snacker
Some people merely snack—others turn it into a lifestyle. This category is filled with unique, small-batch bites that bring serious flavor to every nibble. For the friend who’s always got something tasty on hand, this is the ultimate snack stash upgrade.
Tip Top Toppings Gift Box
The ultimate in any snack arsenal, this gift box is perfect for those who love crunching, sprinkling, and layering flavors. In it, Gari Gari Black Garlic Chili Crunch brings a smoky, spicy jolt that makes anything snackable, while Spicy Furikake adds a savory, umami-packed dusting to rice bowls and popcorn. Ume Boshi gives that tangy-salty punch snackers crave, Nori Seaweed Spread is perfect for homemade onigiri, and Crispy Fried Shallots & Garlic add a golden, satisfying crunch to anything in reach. This box was made for snack innovators who never settle for plain.
Rooted Fare Black Sesame Crunchy Butter
A longtime Onggi staple, you can’t go wrong with this irresistible Rooted Fare’s black sesame butter. A nutty, earthy spread with a satisfying crunch, it’s delicious on toast, topping baked goods and desserts, or straight from the jar!
Miso Caramel Sundae Sauce
A decadent fusion of salty miso and buttery caramel, this sauce is a rich and delicious treat. Perfect for drizzling over ice cream and pancakes, or as a glaze for scones and muffins, it’s a unique twist on a dessert classic.
Bessou Popcorn Nori Crunch
Fun popcorn! This umami-packed snack is crunchy and savory thanks to the addition of nori seaweed. Inspired by Japanese flavors, it’s a standout for movie nights or casual munching. Pairs perfectly with sparkling wine or a light sake—the perfect addition to any snack plate.
Le Bon Garcon Caramels
An elegant and special gift for the sweet-tooth in your life, these gorgeously packaged Le Bon Garcon’s caramels are handcrafted using traditional French techniques and premium ingredients. They boast a rich buttery texture and delicate flavor, each piece reflects a commitment to artistry and quality.
Can't choose?
Go with an Onggi gift card for a pick your own fermenty adventure!