Thana’s Noodles from Coleraine Proving Popular in Eastern Europe
Coleraine-based Whoosh, a FoodNI member and a specialist in instant noodle pots
and other Asian foods, has taken its first step into international markets with the
successful delivery of its products to a fine foods distributor in Eastern Europe.
The first shipment of instant noodles has been delivered and a second order has
already been confirmed for dispatch before Christmas̶, signalling strong early
demand and growing global interest in the Northern Ireland artisan brand that’s well
established here.
The breakthrough deal in Eastern Europe was revealed by Whoosh founder Thana
Thammavongsa, a chef/entrepreneur and creator of the small business in 2008 “to
share the rich flavours, vibrant
culture, and authentic stories of Thai and Vietnamese
cuisine”.
What began as private and corporate catering soon evolved into a street food café in
Coleraine. a distinctive range of Instant Noodle Pots inspired by the same culinary
heritage.
Whoosh then expanded into the production of a range of instant noodles
for home cooks.
Thana continues: “Whoosh noodles and other foods are crafted with care, using only
the finest ingredients. Ready in just five minutes, Whoosh’s instant pots deliver
authentic taste and wholesome nourishment – a versatile base for creativity and
quick, flavourful Asian meals at home
“Customers can easily personalise their noodles by adding their own protein,
vegetables, or even leftovers ̶ helping to reduce food waste while creating a
satisfying, balanced dish,” adds Thana.
The Whoosh range of instant noodles, she continues “currently features seven
flavours, each offering a balance of quality, convenience, and vibrant taste that
reflects the brand’s Southeast Asian roots”.
The Coleraine company’s first international shipment was dispatched via the client’s
established logistics hub in Belgium.
“We’re thrilled to see Whoosh beginning to travel beyond the UK and Ireland,” says
Thana
“It’s a great sign that there’s growing international appetite for quality,
convenience, and rich flavours,” adds Thana.
The business opened its innovative Thai and Vietnamese street food café in 2013 in
Coleraine town centre and quickly gained a reputation for its fresh selection of Thai
and Vietnamese street food, freshly cooked by Thana and her team on site every
day.
The small café’s unique menu is made up of a blend of Thai, Lao and Vietnamese
foods that “offer a great balance of delicate flavours and textures to give you all the
enjoyment of great food as well as a healthy diet”.
“Our food is all about fresh, healthy and delicious fast food served in a casual setting
or as an ideal food on-the-go alternative. Following the success of the café, we
invested time in product development and turned our recipes into a range of instant
rice noodle products for the food-on-the-go retail market,” adds Thana.
The rice noodles proved to be a hugely successful new direction for the business.
They were recently included in the Grow with Aldi initiative with the German-owned
supermarket chain in the Republic of Ireland.
As well as customers here, Whoosh has also supplied instant noodles to the iconic
Selfridges in London, one of the UK’s most prestigious and influential department
stores that also features an impressive and popular food hall. Whoosh is among a
handful of local companies supplying food products to Selfridges. It was then the
company’s first business for instant noodles outside Northern Ireland.
Thana remembers: “I was thrilled to receive the approach from such a prestigious
and influential food store as Selfridges, one of the biggest stores in the world and
one with a great commitment to quality and innovative food.”
Cartons of Whoosh Vietnamese instant curry, Thai red curry and Thai Tom Yum
noodles were supplied to the prestigious store in London’s busy Oxford Street.
Thana says it was “tremendously exciting business for us”. “At Whoosh, we love
cooking, we love eating! We always think about food, we dream about food…
especially Thai and Vietnamese food.”
A graduate and postgraduate in Languages from Ulster University, Thana says she
launched Whoosh with the aim “to share a love of food, our culture and the stories
behind every recipe and every dish we cook”.
“Our belief is in fresh, delicious food that’s cooked with love and really makes a
difference, keeping consumers healthy, happy and satisfied. Over the years, we
gradually won the hearts and appetites of so many foodies here,” she adds.
2022 marked the launch of Whoosh’s own range of instant rice noodle pots that can
be eaten everywhere in a matter of minutes for a nourishing and flavoursome meal.
“The noodles are authentic, three-minute meals that have been handcrafted with
care, using only the best quality and purest ingredients,” continues Thana.
She believes in “eating healthy, eating happy, eating together”. “Our mission is still to
bring people together through food – at work, at home, or anywhere in between.”
