Laoban Foods Inc.

Laoban is a Washington, D.C.-based food company specializing in chef-made, Chinese-inspired frozen foods, including dumplings, bao buns, and Taiwanese-style popcorn chicken. The company's product line spans savory frozen appetizers and entrees such as sesame chicken bao buns, pork soup dumplings, ginger chicken dumplings, scallion pancakes, and crab rangoon, all designed to be ready to eat with minimal preparation via frying, boiling, steaming, or microwaving. Recipes originate from the founders' traditionally-inspired Chinese dumpling shop in Washington, D.C., where co-founder Chef Tim Ma develops the recipes that are then adapted for retail frozen format. The company markets its products as made with high-quality, all-natural ingredients and Michelin-quality, chef-crafted recipes, positioning itself at the intersection of culinary excellence and everyday convenience. Its name, Laoban, means "boss" in Chinese, a nod to the proprietors of the neighborhood dumpling shops that inspired the founders while they lived and taught English in China. The brand emphasizes a blend of classic Chinese dumpling traditions with new flavor combinations and modern twists, offering both traditional and playful variations such as Berkshire pork and chive dumplings alongside sesame-glazed chicken bao. Beyond individual products, the company promotes its offerings for use across a range of meal occasions, including quick snacks, party appetizers, and full meals, and provides recipe content pairing its frozen dumplings and bao with salads, soups, wraps, and dipping sauces to help home cooks incorporate the products into varied dishes. The company sells its frozen dumplings and bao products at retail through its own online shop and has received media attention from national food and lifestyle press. Laoban targets consumers seeking convenient, restaurant-quality frozen Asian food options for home use, appealing to shoppers looking for elevated, chef-driven flavors in the frozen food aisle. The brand's positioning centers on convenience without sacrificing authenticity or quality, sourcing responsibly and preparing its dumplings in a relaxed, hospitality-driven manner consistent with its dumpling-shop origins.