About the Brand
About
Hotgirlsauce is a modern condiment brand redefining how chili oil fits into everyday eating. Built at the intersection of food, culture, and design, the brand is driven by a simple mission: to make bold, layered heat feel intuitive, versatile, and accessible – without sacrificing flavor integrity. Hotgirlsauce speaks to a new generation of consumers who value ease, aesthetics, and quality in equal measure, and who expect pantry staples to work seamlessly across meals, cuisines, and dayparts.
Digitally native and social-first, Hotgirlsauce launched direct-to-consumer in late 2023 and has since expanded rapidly into retail, debuting nationally in early 2025 across 400+ doors. Ingredient-forward with a focus on clean formulations and thoughtful sourcing, the brand embraces culture and trend – while building lasting relevance through usability, education, and modern design. Hotgirlsauce is available online and and 400+ retail stores nationwide, including goop – where it was spotlighted by Gwyneth Paltrow – as well as World Market, Epicurean Trader, Butterfield Market, and other specialty food destinations.
Founding Story
Hotgirlsauce was founded by Janice Miye Kim, a second-generation Korean-American from Los Angeles, following more than 15 years leading merchandising and brand growth at companies including Forever 21, L’Oréal, and The Bouqs. Through her experience building consumer brands – and as a home cook herself – Kim identified a clear disconnect in the condiment aisle: while chili oil delivered depth and complexity, it remained intimidating and underutilized, often confined to jar-bound formats and occasional use.
The “aha” moment came from observing how people actually cook and eat. While consumers were drawn to chili oil’s depth and complexity, many found the category intimidating – unsure how to use it, when to reach for it, or how to incorporate it into everyday meals. Seeing no brand that made chili oil feel as intuitive and approachable as hot sauce, Kim set out to modernize the category, reimagining it not as a specialty product, but as an everyday staple designed for real life.
Signature Products
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Hotgirlsauce
Food & Beverage / Cooking & Meal Solutions
Hotgirlsauce
Food & Beverage / Cooking & Meal Solutions
Hotgirlsauce
Food & Beverage / Cooking & Meal Solutions
Hotgirlsauce
Food & Beverage / Cooking & Meal Solutions
Hotgirlsauce
Food & Beverage / Cooking & Meal Solutions
Team & Experts
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Janice is the founder of Hotgirlsauce®, a modern chili oil brand built at the intersection of flavor, culture, and design.
Jance is a second-generation Korean-American born in Los Angeles, with 15 years of merchandising leadership across fashion and beauty. Her background in retail buying and merchandising, consumer behavior, trend forecasting, and brand storytelling shapes how she builds products - from flavor development to visual identity.
Janice started Hotgirlsauce to create something distinctive, culturally informed, and genuinely useful - and is currently focused on scaling the brand thoughtfully across retail and DTC.
Press Coverage
FOOD & WINE
May 9, 2026
Ditch Microplastics for Good — Shoppers Love These 10 Non-Toxic Kitchen Swaps, From $2 Apiece
YAHOO (CURRENTLY)
May 8, 2026
The Real Reason These '00s Cartoons Were Canceled
NEW YORK TIMES PERSONAL FINANCE
Apr 13, 2026
All of Our Recommendations for a (Mostly) Plastic-Free Kitchen
Asset Library
Editorial-ready assets. All images cleared for press use with credit.
