Welcome to the newest Meet The Manufacturer special! This time, it’s Annie Chun’s All Natural Asian Cuisine! I conducted an interview with Bailey, a marketer for the company. Hope you enjoy the interview and hope you enjoy the upcoming reviews of these products!
THE RAMEN RATER> Hi – thanks for this opportunity to do an interview. When was Annie Chun’s founded, where and by who?
ANNIE CHUN’S> Annie Chun’s was originally founded in 1992 by Annie Chun, in San Rafael, California. In 2005, Annie Chun’s forged a strategic partnership with CJ Corp., Korea’s largest food producer, strengthening the company’s commitment to creating all-natural, great tasting products that promote good health and further the company’s goal of introducing new and exciting Asian foods to the American consumer.
TRR> For those of my readers who are not familiar with your line of products, could you tell us a little about them?
AC> Annie Chun’s offers accessible, signature pan-Asian flavors to help anyone become an at-home chef. Our products include gourmet sauces, noodles, rice, seaweed snacks, ramen, soup bowl, and more, all free of preservatives and made without MSG.
TRR> What is the story behind the name?
AC> Annie Chun was born and raised in Seoul, Korea and came to Northern California as a young adult, where her family ran a Korean restaurant in San Francisco before Annie branched out to create a product line of all-natural pan-Asian foods.
TRR> Are there any new products that will be coming out soon that you could tell us about?
AC> Annie Chun’s has some exciting innovations planned for 2013; stay tuned on our Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/AnnieChunsInc) for the latest on new products!
TRR> Can you tell us about the different varieties of noodles you produce and how they differ?
AC>
- Chow Mein Noodles – traditional wheat-flour noodles made with egg whites (no yolks)
- Soba Noodles – Japanese-style soba noodles made from a blend of wheat and buckwheat flours enriched in egg whites
- Maifun Rice Noodles – angle hair-style rice noodles that are fat-free, wheat-free, and gluten-free
- Maifun Brown Rice Noodles – 100% whole grain variation of our Maifun Rice Noodles
- Pad Thai Rice Noodles – fettuccine-style rice noodles that are fat-free, wheat-free, and gluten-free
- Pad Thai Brown Rice Noodles – 100% whole grain variation of our Pad Thai Rice Noodles
TRR> A lot of people wonder about the health factors (sodium, etc) when it comes to instant noodles. How do you recommend people made instant noodles a healthy part of their diet?
AC> We at Annie Chun’s always recommend moderation and incorporating fresh vegetables and protein into our diets on a daily basis.
TRR> Do you make/sell products other than noodles?
AC> Yes! Annie Chun’s complete product line currently includes: Freshpak Noodles, Frozen Savory Soups, Ramen House, Soup Bowls, Asian Noodle Bowls, Rice Express, Asian Meal Starters, Gourmet Asian Sauces, Asian Noodles, Roasted Seaweed Snacks, Gochujan Sauce, Sushi Wraps, Noodle Express, and Frozen Potstickers and Mini Wontons. All products can be seen online by visiting: http://anniechun.com/our-food
TRR> How does the process in which you make your noodles differ from other brands?
AC> We make all our products without any added MSG or preservatives
TRR> Your company is called Annie Chun’s All Natural Asian Cuisine. Why is an all-natural approach to packaged foods important?
AC> Annie Chun’s believes that the American consumer doesn’t have to settle for packaged convenience food loaded with preservatives!
TRR> Is Annie Chun’s a US only company or can your products be found elsewhere?
AC> Mainly a US company; products can be found in select Canadian stores as well.
TRR> When you make noodles for yourself, do you add anything or have any recommendations?
AC> We definitely recommend visiting http://anniechun.com/recipes for recipe suggestions from the Annie Chun’s team!
TRR> Where can people find your products?
AC> Annie Chun’s products can now be found at most major supermarkets and natural foods stores, Whole Foods, Target, Wal-Mart, and Trader Joe’s as well as in select Canadian chains. To find locations near you, visit: http://anniechun.com/stores
TRR> From myself and my readers at The Ramen Rater, thanks for participating in Meet The Manufacturer and giving everyone a chance to see your products and learn more about Annie Chun’s!
There you have it! I want to thank Bailey and everyone at Annie Chun’s for their products samples and interview.
Interview * Product Samples Sent By Annie Chun’s * Annie Chun’s Noodle Express Chinese Chow Mein * Annie Chun’s Ramen House Spring Vegetable * Annie Chun’s Soup Bowl Korean Kimchi * Annie Chun’s Noodle Express Teriyaki * Annie Chun’s Ramen House Soy Ginger Ramen * Annie Chun’s Soup Bowl Vietnamese Pho * Annie Chun’s Noodle Express Spicy Szechuan * Annie Chun’s Ramen House Spicy Chicken Ramen * Annie Chun’s Soup Bowl Chinese Chicken
Would’ve been nice to know which Canadian stores you can get their products at; the supermarket nearest me doesn’t carry any!