Fani and Peter Gau own and operate the San Luis Oriental Market, a specialty and import grocery store in San Luis Obispo, California. Peter’s parents Sim and Meng Gau founded the shop in 1992 and ran it until 2017, when he and his wife Fani took over. Since then, they’ve built a customer base that includes a new generation of customers. The market always offered Asian sauces, spices, noodles and condiments, as well as some decor and seasonal goods. Under Fani’s leadership,, the shop now sells many more snacks, drinks, Asian veggies, and prepared foods like bao. During the interview, the Gau’s loaded me up with a bagful of snacks and treats, like sweet basil Lay’s potato chips, Thai boba iced tea, and I even get to try Steak-flavored Cheetos on the mic. I learned about how their young family began, how they’ve made it through the pandemic thus far, and how the recipe for Mom’s crab dish is strictly off-limits.
Instagram: @slorientalmarket
David Walker, co-founder, Firestone-Walker Brewing Co, Buellton + Paso Robles
Sarah Deiter, creative and owner, Makers & Allies, SLO
Antonio Diaz, filmmaker and publisher, The Migrant Kitchen and Life & Thyme Magazine, Los Angeles
Captain Mark Tognazzini, fisherman and restaurateur, Morro Bay
Father Ian Delinger, priest, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, and food journalist, KCBX, San Luis Obispo
Golzar Barrera, chef and caterer, All Purpose Flower, Solvang
Gray Hartley + Frank Ostini, winemaker and restaurateur, Hartley-Ostini Wines, Hitching Post II, Buellton
Jacob + Brooke Town, restaurateurs, The Spoon Trade + Grover Beach Sourdough, Grover Beach
Megan + Jeremy Raff, farmers, Dare 2 Dream Farms, Lompoc
Robin Wolf, mixologist, The Hatch Bar + Restaurant, Paso Robles
Sandi Sigurdson, community leader and recovering alcoholic, SLO
Brian Collins, chef and owner, Ember, Arroyo Grande
Alberto + Gessica Russo, chef and owners, Flour House, SLO
Matt Kettmann, Central Coast Editor, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Santa Barbara
Libby Parker, registered dietitian and eating disorder specialist, Not Your Average Nutritionist, SLO
Trevor Peterson, distiller and owner, Bixby Gin, Lloyd Distillery, SLO
Zack Andrade, farmer and owner, Spinaca Farms, Gilroy
Sheila Spector, home baker and food blogger, Dinner at Sheila’s, SLO
James Sparks, winemaker and owner, Kings Carey Wine, Santa Ynez
Hayley Cain, food writer and punk rocker, SLO
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