Onggi's 2025 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 cozy home cook
This is for creative in your circle who is just a bit too comfortable to leave the house. Soulful stews hearty hankerings, and a mix of sweet and savory delights. Filled with unique ingredients and high-quality essentials, these picks will inspire new dishes to make them feel like the chef in their own personal test kitchen - without ever leaving home of course! It’s all about comfort, care, and delicious moments made to savor.
Onggi's 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 wild-caught and fermented garum fish sauce, the bounty of Maine’s oceans all wrapped up into one furikake mix, spicy wild blueberry Sriracha, Maine Beer Co. Lunch mustard, and mushroom ale vinegar from West Maquoit.
Uncle’s Big Green Curry
The richest (and easiest) Thai curry you can find without being in the country yourself! Freeze-dried in Thailand, the process ensures all of the richness and flavors from local ingredients make it to your plate. Perfect for the cook who is looking for an elevated meal with simple preparation!! Includes two packs, just add water and choice of protein and serve over rice!
Sonoko Sakai 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.
Grumpy Ginger Malaysian Curry Paste
Made with fresh herbs, fiery chilies and aromatic spices like coriander and lemongrass, Grumpy Ginger’s Mild Red Curry Paste is a favorite for anyone in the family!! High in umami-goodness with a softer spicy side, this Malaysian curry paste is made with all natural ingredients and no MSG. Perfect for a marinade on meat or fish, as a sauce base, or flavor booster to soups or dressings - this is the perfect addition to any home cook’s pantry.
Black Sesame Mochi Pancake and Waffle Mix
Mochi pancakes?! You read that right!! This Black Sesame mochi pancake & waffle mix from KiuKiu gives an ultra‑chewy, flaky texture with toasted black sesame aroma mixed right in—just add milk, egg and oil and you’re pancake‑brunch ready. Give it to your favorite home cook, who if you’re lucky, might just whip you up some on the spot!!
Onggi Chrome Crewneck
Talk about cozy! These crewnecks are made with 100% organic cotton and perfffffect for lounging around the kitchen.
For the non-stop traveler
Shopping for someone who always has their next ticket booked? 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!
Onggi Essentials Kit
We LOVE when our customers ask for recs and we can’t help but transport your kitchen around the world with these suggestions: From vinegar made from Jeju’s brightest tangerines, to the earthy-sweet crunch of Rooted Fare’s Black Sesame Crunchy Butter. Let your taste buds experience notes of India with Masala Gossip’s Green Chili Masala Crisp, and indulge in the tangy punch of Ocean Foods’ Yuzu Kosho Blue. Experience the nutty umami of Japanese soy sauce right in your backyard, with Moromi’s Rye Soy Sauce. Travel across Asia with Onggi’s tried-and-true favorites this season!
HEYDOH Soy Sauces
Any foodie will have tried their fair share of soy sauce. But has your foodie had Taiwanese soy sauce? HEYDOH’s single-origin soy sauces are made with non-GMO, black soybeans that are high in protein with no added sugar and low sodium. Specifically grown for fermentation, these black beans bring a tantalizing mix of umami and natural sweetness to the brew, making for a mix of flavors many soy aficionados have never tasted before. HEYDOH’s Classic Soy Sauce is your chef’s new righthand, a renaissance sauce for any and all cooking, while their Silky Soy Sauce is the lavish, velvety finisher - perfect for drizzling and dipping. Brewed twice, this sauce packs double the umami and tastes like satin on the tongue!!
Wooden Onigiri Molds
Know that one cook who is always struggling to make onigiri? We’ve all been there!! The perfect tool to help shape all future rice ball endeavors and their new best friend in the kitchen! Made with Japanese cedar wood, these molds will transport your loved one to Japan by helping them perfectly shape a traditional snack or quick portable lunch.
Adam Field Mini Onggi
Who doesn’t love traditional-style Korean fermentation crocks (called onggi)? The smol-er version of Adam Field’s gallon crock, these bonafide minis are perfect to store table spices or start a fun-sized fermentation project, all while looking oh-so cute and elegant on the countertop or kitchen table. Perfect for that k-drama loving cook who wants to bring Korea to their kitchen!!
Kim Hyun Kyu’s Three-Colored Noodles
Chewy in texture and almost impossible to overcook, master noodle artisan Kim Hyun Kyu's three-colored noodles are a showstopper of their own. Handmade from a careful blend of Korean wheat, rice, and real, seasonal vegetables such as chives, sweet pumpkin, and beet - these noodles bring the work of a master to your own home. Unlike traditionally flavorless Korean noodles, these noodles are full of pure earthy flavor - with no artificial colors. Perfect for your at-home Hansik cook to try in bibim-guksu, pasta dishes, or even with just a bit of perilla oil and salt!
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.
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.
Onggi x Jennet Liaw Travel Tumbler
Designed by Jennet Liaw, these travel tumblers are leak proof and last forever!! Cozy cabbage design and sturdy hand feel makes this a must for any trip!
For the tea snob
Nowadays, our lives are filled with nonstop noise. For the friend who likes to stow away for a little rest and relaxation or the busybody who needs a break, this beautiful blend of soulful and reflective teas will pull anyone into the present moment.
Onggi Matcha Kit
Everything you need for the most majestic 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! All components are made in Japan.
Kettl Uji Homare Matcha
Freshly milled matcha from the birthplace of matcha: Uji, Japan! A vibrant, complex, and umami-driven matcha experience perfect to spoil that matcha fiend friend!!
BĹŤtaPia Mulberry Matcha
Have a matcha connoisseur who whips up a latte like it’s their job? Bring some earthy variety to their morning ritual with this clean, single-ingredient powder. Bright green, naturally caffeine-free, and full of plant power, this Mulberry Matcha is made from 100% ground mulberry leaves. Known for numerous health benefits in Traditional Chinese Medicine, this herbal-alternative works in lattes, smoothies, or baked goods when you want matcha vibes any time of day.
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 or brown sugar), and you’re ready to cozy up.
Kettl Soba Cha
Know someone who’s chronically stressed? A sip of Kettl's Soba Cha will immediately put them at ease! With notes of roasted grain and caramelized sugar, this roasted buckwheat "tea" is sourced from the Togakushi region in Japan's Nagano Prefecture known for its high quality buckwheat.Naturally caffeine-free, soba cha is a perfect beverage for any time of day (or evening!).
Eighty Degrees Tea Magazines
Eighty Degrees' stories are steeped in culture, creativity, and craftsmanship. Chefs, artisans, and tea masters come together to brew tea tales that inspire calm, spark curiosity, and bring you back to the present. Perfect to pick up with your matcha, sobacha, or pu-er in hand and find a moment of pause.
Onggi Pot Mug
Hefty made-in-Japan mugs to keep your teas and heart warm! Smooth glaze in a sweet hojicha or blueberry color, these might become their new favorite!
For the project pursuer
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.
Adam Field Onggi
Bonafide traditional-style Korean fermentation crocks (called onggi) made with earthenware and natural glazes. These one gallon onggi are the perfect size and so so stunning! By our friend Adam Field, who studied with a Korean onggi master, this crock is a timeless edition to any kitchen. Transporting you back to Joseon or modern Seoul in an instant, learn the age-old wisdom of Korean fermentation through this elegant ware.
Onggi Fermentation Weights
Sized to fit in your fermentor’s fave crocks, help them keep their pickles submerged with earthenware fermentation weights. Made from the same stuff as onggi, these weights come in smaller, donut or larger half-moon shapes to fit neatly in a wide-mouth Mason jar or larger gallon crock. A useful, must-have tool for any at home fermentor to stop using tiny dishes around their house or stones to weigh down their brews!
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.
Cultures for Health Fermentation Starter Cultures
Know someone bubbling to brew? From yogurt to tempeh, kefir to kombucha and gluten free sourdough, Cultures for Health has you covered. The absolute best kits for beginners, these starter cultures come with clear, concise instructions that are easy to follow for how to start your ferment. If things still aren’t making sense, head on over to their website, where more in depth Q&As, tips and tricks, and gear all live housed under one web address. Easy to store with a long shelf life before opening, these starters are perfect for the mad-scientist who likes to pick and choose the when and how of their next project!!
For the hostess with the mostess
What do you get the friend who always throws the best parties? What entertains the entertainer? For the friend who loves to get the gang together and have a great time, this is the gift guide. Sparkling, funky beverages, fun tableware, and tools for every ultimate host, it’s all about bringing something new to the party.
Onggi Pot Glass Cup
Perfect for a 12 oz beer, a cocktail, or whatever festive bevvy our guests are sippin' on! Delicate and elegant glass with a pop of Onggi charm.
Veggie Chopstick Rests
Cute, functional, and bursting with character!! Choose from Kewpie Mayo, mushrooms, and sunny-side-up eggs, to eggplants, peppers, and turnips to rest your chopsticks and liven up your meal. These handcrafted ceramic rests will offer a whimsical, yet practical enhancement to your tableware - enchanting both adults and kids alike!
Unified Ferments x Kettl Houjicha Kombucha
Made with Jou Yanagi Houjicha from Ryuouen, this 'booch smolders with soft smokiness and pairs perfectly with both sweet and savory courses. A dynamic bevvy and crowd pleaser for any holiday host looking for a funky twist on an at-home favorite!!
Unifed Ferments x Kettl Soba Cha Kombucha
Unified Ferments and Kettl are a match made in heaven! This bubbly brew boasts notes of toasted grain and spun sugar. A fun twist on your favorite cozy, caffeine-free drink, made for the life of any party who can have a good time without any alcohol. Celebratory and fun for any occasion and time of day!!
Onggi Tea Towel
A versatile tea towel for use all over the home! Liven things up with some sweet Onggi green!
Onggi Checkered Crew Socks
Fun socks to show off at your next house party! Stretchy and comfy, great for year round activities!
Can't choose?
Go with an Onggi gift card for a pick your own fermenty adventure!