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Our Story

At Socola Chocolatier, we believe chocolate should tell a story.

Founded in 2001 by sisters Wendy and Susan Lieu, Socola (the Vietnamese word for “chocolate”) is an award-winning San Francisco chocolatier inspired by Vietnamese heritage, California creativity, and a spirit of adventure.

The daughters of Vietnamese refugees, Wendy and Susan grew up watching their parents rebuild their lives after fleeing Vietnam as Boat People in 1981. Their family eventually settled in Northern California, where the sisters spent much of their childhood helping at their parents’ nail salon and learning the values of hard work, perseverance, and entrepreneurship.

At 19 years old, Wendy taught herself how to make chocolate truffles and began selling them alongside Susan at local farmers markets in front of their parents’ nail salon. What began as a summer passion project eventually grew into a thriving business rooted in family, culture, and craftsmanship.

Today, Socola is more than chocolate—it is a celebration of heritage, storytelling, and unexpected flavor experiences.

What We Make

At our San Francisco production kitchen, Wendy and her team handcraft small-batch truffles, Vietnamese-inspired chocolate bars, and confections using premium ingredients and classic techniques with playful twists.

We are known for bold and unexpected flavors inspired by Asian ingredients and nostalgic childhood memories. Fan favorites include durian and phở truffles, Vietnamese coffee, jasmine tea, lychee, and our beloved Little Saigon Box—a collection inspired by the flavors and stories of the Vietnamese diaspora.

Every piece is crafted with intention, balancing creativity, quality, and a sense of discovery. Whether you're gifting, sharing, or indulging, we want every bite to spark surprise, nostalgia, and joy.

Growing in San Francisco

In 2014, Socola opened its San Francisco storefront and production kitchen, inviting customers to experience artisan chocolate-making firsthand.

In 2024, Socola opened a retail location at San Francisco International Airport, becoming one of the few local artisan chocolate brands represented at SFO. From neighborhood regulars to travelers passing through the city, we are proud to share a taste of San Francisco with customers from around the world.

Rooted in Community

Community has always been at the heart of Socola.

We believe in supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, uplifting Asian American stories, and giving back to the communities that helped us grow. Wendy actively mentors high school students through Enterprise for Youth internships, teaches fellow small business owners through the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, and serves on the East Cut Community Benefit District.

Socola proudly supports organizations such as the Catalyst Foundation, Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), and many AAPI-focused nonprofits through fundraising, partnerships, and community events.

Featured In

Socola has been featured in Forbes, NBC News, San Francisco Chronicle, Dessert Professional, and other local and national publications.

We are honored to have created chocolates for companies including Google, Tiffany & Co., Sephora, American Express, Salesforce, Ferrari, Cartier, and many others.