Ten Years Together, Bringing “Asian Flavors” into the Mainstream: OCM Huayuan Foods’ 8th Asian Trendy Food Expo Set to Open in Los Angeles

LAPost / Los Angeles (January 15, 2025) – As Lunar New Year consumption season heats up across the United States, a press conference for the 8th Asian Trendy Food Expo, hosted by OCM Huayuan Foods USA, was held on the evening of January 15 at the Sheraton San Gabriel in Los Angeles. The two-day expo will take place January 17–18 at Hall 5 of the Pomona Fairplex, and is expected to present Southern California audiences with an annual showcase combining Asian cuisine, consumer trends, and cultural exchange.

The press conference also marked OCM’s 10th anniversary celebration. Under the theme “Ten Years Together, Moving Toward the Future of Flavor,” the event looked back on the company’s journey since its founding in 2015, highlighting its role in continuously introducing Asian foods into North America’s mainstream market, while reaffirming its brand mission: “Let the world fall in love with Asian flavors.”

Lunar New Year Approaches, Asian Foods Enter a Golden Window

As the Year of the Horse draws near, Lunar New Year products have already filled shelves from Asian supermarkets to major U.S. retail chains. Festive foods are prominently displayed, signaling a strong holiday shopping atmosphere. Industry observers note that Asian foods are steadily shifting from niche, ethnic consumption to mainstream choices, with Lunar New Year becoming an increasingly important season in the U.S. retail calendar.

OCM Huayuan Foods has grown alongside this trend. Over the past decade, its sales network has expanded to core cities across all 50 U.S. states. From neighborhood storefronts in New York and Chicago to large-format retailers in Los Angeles and Houston, Asian-flavored products are appearing with increasing frequency on American dining tables.

Six-Warehouse Network Connecting a Nationwide Supply Chain

Headquartered in Los Angeles, OCM has established six major distribution centers in Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, and San Francisco, with a combined warehouse area exceeding 1 million square feet. On the retail side, the group has built partnerships with major chains including Costco, Kroger, Walmart, HEB Central Market, Whole Foods, and Grocery Outlet, and has successfully helped numerous well-known Chinese brands enter the U.S. market—most notably bringing Genki Forest into Costco stores.

Limited Tariff Impact, Strong Demand Continues

Addressing concerns over U.S. tariff policies, Hans Qi, head of OCM’s Chicago branch, said that although the market was relatively cautious in April due to tariffs and broader economic uncertainty, actual operations show that demand for Asian foods in the U.S. remains robust.

He noted that cost pressures from tariff increases have been gradually absorbed across the supply chain, with no significant rise in retail prices. While sales experienced a rational adjustment in the second half of the year, overall annual growth remains solid. In terms of consumer trends, Qi observed that popular “major brands” and “trendy brands” in China typically gain traction in the U.S. market several months later—reflecting a lag, but consistent overall direction.

From Trade to Industry, Localization Becomes Key

Jakie Shi, OCM’s West Coast sales lead, said the company initially focused on introducing leading and trendy Chinese food brands. As it has grown, OCM has broadened its scope to include a wider range of high-quality Asian brands and product categories. Looking ahead, OCM plans to move beyond a pure trading role by assisting Chinese food brands in establishing manufacturing facilities in the U.S., promoting localized production and supply chains.

In terms of product expansion, OCM has evolved from snacks and beverages into fresh and frozen foods, and is advancing frozen-storage facilities across five U.S. warehouses. The company is prioritizing popular frozen and ready-to-cook items from China. Shi highlighted products such as sauerkraut fish, frozen dough products, and dumplings, noting their potential to support standardization and scalable growth in North America’s foodservice industry.

Steady East Coast Growth, Local Production as a Long-Term Path

Wendy Dong, head of OCM’s New Jersey branch, said the operation is currently experiencing steady growth, with plans for significant expansion by 2026. This year’s focus remains on developing new channels and clients, while continuing to strengthen the foundation for localized supply chains.

She acknowledged that tariff policies have posed challenges, but through structural adjustments and supply-chain optimization, their overall impact has been kept under control. From a long-term perspective, she believes localization is an irreversible trend, and that tariffs may ultimately accelerate local production and domestic deployment.

Legacy Brands and New Consumption Trends Meet the New Year

As one of the exhibiting brands, Victor Chen, president of Hsu Fu Chi, said that with Lunar New Year approaching, the company has introduced a wide range of festive products. In addition to traditional items such as New Year candies, crispy milk candies, and family gift boxes, Hsu Fu Chi has also launched several innovative new products.

Among them, the newly introduced Japanese-style egg roll series has received strong market feedback, successfully reaching broader consumer segments. Chen expressed hope that these products—blending tradition with innovation—will bring a more meaningful and celebratory holiday experience to American consumers.

Expo and Culture Advancing in Parallel

According to the organizer, the 8th Asian Trendy Food Expo will be held January 17–18 at the Pomona Fairplex. At the same time, on Lunar New Year’s Eve, Times Square’s iconic No. 1 digital screen in New York will once again light up for OCM, using this globally visible platform to showcase the richness and diversity of Chinese and Asian food culture to audiences of all backgrounds.

As global food industries continue to converge, the expo is seen not only as a commercial showcase, but also as a symbol of Asian flavors’ ongoing integration into mainstream American society.

(By: Richard Ren / LAPost)