Gracie + Gift of Not Just Bun / @citizensofsodacity

This is part of our monthly series, #CitizensofSodaCity, a project by @gocola, featuring her conversations with distinctive strangers + friends at Soda City Market on Main Street and other Columbia hot spots.

It used to be really hard to get authentic steamed buns unless you drove to Charlotte or Atlanta. Thankfully, Gracie and Gift brought Not Just Bun to Soda City market last July. This duo met years ago through mutual friends after Gift moved from Thailand and Gracie from Turkey, and they’ve been roommates ever since. Gift is a chemist at UofSC, while Gracie is pursuing her PhD in education research.

Why steamed buns?

When Gift first moved to Columbia her cooking skills were limited to cracking and frying an egg or instant noodles in the microwave. Through the years, she has developed her skills. She started with simple cakes and moved on to different types of bread including a variety of buns; steamed buns, butter buns, baked buns... Of course, Gracie got to be the guinea pig throughout those early years.

How did you get started at Soda City?

We have always wanted to be a vendor at Soda City and introduce Columbia to different international food and cultures, but it didn't happen right away. Then one day, after Gracie tried one of Gift's pork buns, she shouted: "We have to start selling this at Soda City!"

What do you like about Soda City?

The best thing about the market is that it's open to any nationality, and that everyone has an opportunity to try food from a variety of countries.

Any advice for new vendors?

Don’t be afraid to try different things with your food, art, or whatever you are bringing to the market! We have realized that Columbia is ready for it.
See the full post this afternoon at @citizensofsodacity.