Meet Sally We | Founder/Owner of Hangari House

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sally We and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sally, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The business came to mind as I wanted to make a difference for my parents. I wanted to do something especially for my mom, she worked hard as an immigrant raising my sister and I in a foreign place to give us the “American dream.” After different jobs and a career that I did not find passionate about, I finally decided that we had to do something for not only my life but for my mom so she can have something to look forward to and leave behind for my sister and I.

We grew up with good Korean food, some serious authentic recipes she brought along with her from her family recipes from her mom and sisters in Busan, South Korea. I remember taking “smelling” lunches as we had ferments, kimchi’s and just food no one around us knew to school and getting looks and now people are searching for these authentic flavors here! Obviously, my family all loved food. Our family was passionate about our meals. We enjoyed eating, Sarah and I would just love watching her cook. After much thought and different careers that neither of us enjoyed we set out for our last run.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Hangari House celebrates authentic Korean food but Vegan and Plant Based! We are the first Korean Vegan food company coming out of Los Angeles, CA starting from our Vegan House Kimchi’s to Night Market pop ups providing elevated Vegan Korean Street Foods such as Kimchi Fried Rice and Kimchi Pizza’s! We are proud of our recipes as they are all naturally vegan, my mom always created authentic Korean recipes from Korea that were more plant based as I was always considered to be the vegetable of the family. I loved animals, nature and all of the in between. I cried watching an Octopus getting prepped at a Korean restaurant and so naturally my mom found creative/natural ways to make all of her authentic recipes, better for me.

Different career paths I didn’t find passionate about were still some of the more well taught skill sets I learned. I worked as a case manager for a law firm and managed corporate retail stores, they all thought me the value of a client and the value behind relationships. It was not easy, starting your own business is hard and doing it with your family, much tougher than I expected but it has been so much more fun and rewarding. We overcome these tougher challenges and tougher times by laughing and enjoying the process, honestly what we are doing is supposed to be fun and we’re doing just that, enjoying our time cooking and feeding people. With us showing us enjoying our time and having a positive time, we feel the energy back at our pops up and markets where we meet various people that want them to be a part of our good time like a family, enjoying some good food!

We want people to resonate with Korean vegan recipes, but authentic Korean recipes, we want plant-based food to be more established as it’s not just for us but our community and planet. We can still have authentic flavors and really bring out umami in recipes without the use of seafood and meats. We can make great food and enjoy our community together, without the harm to our animals and our planet. Bringing awareness to good food that is also good for our planet is something we can share globally from Los Angeles to South Korea.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would stay where I am in Los Angeles, CA, Mid-City West and Weho area. Honestly, a great mix of community, families and dogs! It would be good food and lots of walking and enjoying different parts of Los Angeles from DTLA to Bev Hills and all the in between. There are so many different communities between, I cannot say the most fun, interesting and exciting to a single location or community, but this is an itinerary that deserves the spotlight now.

Monday – Wednesday
A great time to visit the museums, visit LACMA before the new overhaul construction and appreciate the views now, The new Academy portion with their incredible dining, glass dome and history of everything entertainment. (My fave was the Batman, Hikari, and Toy Story installments) Also part of LACMA, a portion of the Berlin Wall that people tend to miss since it’s across the street.

The farmers market at the Grove, some eats there, a great family owned and operated singaporean place, there French market and restaurant, Monsier Marcel and a new pasta joint (Can’t remember name).
Dr. Sandwich, on Beverly/Gardner a great local favorite.
Gracias Madre, Trendy and delicious vegan Mexican food.

Wednesday Night
Vegan Playground at Boomtown Brewery in DTLA arts district. A weekly vegan night market, that has amazing features of vegan food, desserts and crafts!

Thursday – Friday
Spend a day through Little Tokyo and Koreatown.
Sushi bars all throughout little Tokyo but find some of the best eateries on first and main and a favorite mochi spot that’s been around for like 100 years!
Koreatown, KBBQ at Kanghodong Baek Jung a great restaurant founded in Korea. Enjoy other eateries like noodles at MD kalgookso, Tofu houses like BCD, good Korean staples from Gobawoo, dessert from akeries like paris baguette and finish with groceries/snacks from California Market.

Friday Night
Vegan Playground at Party Beer Co in West Adams adjacent to Culver City. A weekly vegan night market, that has amazing features of vegan food, desserts and crafts!

Saturday
Enjoy the beach, drive up Malibu! Paradis Cove Cafe and Gladstones are favorite beach spots to enjoy the water.

Sunday
Brunch.
Farmers Market at Melrose Place. Check out Weho and walk through Beverly Hills.
Hit up weekly food festival, we are manifesting a spot at Smorgasburg LA!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Obviously, my family who works hard with me! Daniel, Sarah, Mom, Dad, Wednesday & Bruce. Your sacrifices and hard work do not go unnoticed!

Vegan Playground (weekly Vegan Night Market) and CCFM (California Certified Farmers Market) for sharing our stories and helping us expand!

Website: www.hangarihouse.com

Instagram: @hangarihouse

Image Credits
Hangari House LLC