Electrolyte powders are everywhere now. They’re in gym bags, carry-ons, office drawers, and even in the pharmacy section at Costco. However, it feels like you always see the same old flavoris: lemon-lime, fruit punch, and some type of berry.
Mizu Lab is trying something different. Founded by Angelina and Soomi, the hydration company is building its brand around Asian flavors like yogurt drink & strawberry (i.e.: strawberry Yakult), lychee, yuzu, Korean plum, and Asian pear. These are the kinds of flavors that might feel more at home in an Asian grocery aisle than a traditional sports drink.
Their Yogurt Drink & Strawberry flavor is a good example of what they’re going for: a zero-sugar electrolyte powder inspired by the sweet, tangy yogurt drinks many Asian kids grew up with. It’s nostalgic, but still designed for the current hydration moment.
We spoke with Angelina and Soomi about where the idea came from, how they developed their Asian-inspired flavors, the hard lessons they learned in manufacturing, and what it means to build a hydration brand around culture, memory, and taste.
K-Snax: How did you come up with the idea for Mizu Lab?
Angelina: We came up with the idea for Mizu Lab after noticing a big gap in the electrolyte space when it came to Asian-inspired flavors. We grew up with flavors that felt nostalgic and culturally familiar, but didn’t see those represented in hydration products in a way that felt thoughtful or elevated. We wanted to create something that was not only functional and science-backed, but also genuinely enjoyable to drink — something that felt comforting, familiar, and exciting at the same time!
K-Snax: Asian Yogurt Drink & Strawberry is a flavor that many Asians know and love, and Mizu Lab really nailed it. What was the process like for formulating this flavor from start to finish?
Soomi: The formulation process was very long and very hands-on. While many brands outsource flavor development, we worked extremely closely with our lab for over six months. We were tasting every single day for hours, adjusting things down to tiny increments — sometimes changing sweetness or saltiness by as little as 0.05 grams at a time. We’re huge fans of Yakult, and our goal was to create a zero-sugar version with electrolytes and vitamins that people could enjoy regularly, without feeling guilty or overwhelmed by sweetness.
K-Snax: You have a lot of flavors that really resonate with Asian Americans. What kind of brainstorming and testing did you do before landing on your current lineup?
Angelina: We started by listing out every Asian inspired flavor we could think of — from childhood snacks to drinks we grew up loving. We tested each flavor individually first, then experimented with pairing different flavors together to see what actually worked. A lot of combinations didn’t. It was a long trial-and-error process, but we were really intentional about making sure each flavor felt authentic and true to its inspiration.
K-Snax: What’s been the most expensive CPG challenge you’ve run into so far, and what would you do differently now?
Soomi: One of our biggest challenges was manufacturing. We initially partnered with a smaller manufacturer so we could start with lower MOQs, but looking back, that meant learning a lot of lessons the hard way — from packaging issues to production inefficiencies and unexpected setbacks. If we were to do it again, we’d trust our idea earlier and partner with a larger, more experienced manufacturer sooner. The manufacturer we work with now helps catch potential issues before they become costly mistakes, which has made a huge difference.
K-Snax: Looking ahead, what are the next Asian flavors you’re considering launching?
Angelina: We have to keep this one a little confidential, but we do have two new Asian-inspired flavors coming later this year that we’re incredibly excited about.
K-Snax: What’s your vision for Mizu Lab over the next five years?
Soomi: Our long-term vision is to raise awareness and appreciation for Asian-inspired flavors and make Mizu Lab a true household name. So many people immediately recognize brands like Liquid I.V., and we can’t wait for the day when someone says, “Oh my gosh, I’ve heard of Mizu Lab.” We want to be a go-to brand not just for hydration, but for culture, nostalgia, and representation.
K-Snax: What’s your favorite Asian snack?
Angelina: If we had to choose just one, White Rabbit candies will always have our hearts.
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