When it comes to the influencer marketing world, bigger isn’t always better, especially when it comes to a social media following. Nano-influencers may be small, but they are mighty.
A nano-influencer is defined as someone who has a following between 1,000 and 10,000 people. Nano-influencers tend to have higher engagement rates and the ability to reach a larger portion of their following compared to their micro, macro, and celebrity counterparts.
These nine Bay Area foodie nano-influencers are taking the food scene by storm. Follow their journeys!
Marti Li of @martiwantsmore
When and why you started your Instagram page: I’ve always been a foodie and enjoyed photography, and @martiwantsmore combines my passion for both. Before @martiwantsmore, I was sharing food and travel photos with friends privately on Instagram. I made my page public in late 2016, and it was one of the best decisions ever. It’s been really fun meeting new people, becoming friends with other foodies, and having the opportunity to work with different restaurants and brands.
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: Instagramming the best food outside the Bay, of course! 😉 I enjoy traveling, being outdoors, and checking out local events.
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: This is a tough one. There are so many great places in the Bay and new ones popping up every day. Mensho Tokyo would be my pick for ramen, and Boboquivari’s for steak.
What is one thing you want people to know about being a foodie influencer & content creator: It’s been a rewarding experience for me. If this is something you’re passionate about, go for it and have fun!
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: @martiwantsmore is my creative outlet, but it’s not all that I do. My goal is to keep having fun with it. As much as I love food, my favorite part of being a food influencer is the people I get to meet. So say hi or send a message. I would love to hear from you!
Cassie Zhang of @ms_cassie_eats_alot
When and why you started your Instagram page: I started @ms_cassie_eats_alot two years ago when I was a sophomore in college. Born and raised in the Midwest, where local eats simply consisted of hot dogs and fries, I happily ate my way through the vibrant food scenes of Berkeley, Oakland, and SF (hence my username!). Since most of my memories are strongly tied to food and the people I share it with, I started a food Instagram to document my food memories, as well as to see what other Bay Area foodies are eating!
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: Probably cramming for midterms, because I’m currently a student at UC Berkeley!
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: Ah I can’t pick just one! My top 3 spots are QQ Noodles, Marufuku Ramen, and Imm Thai Street Food. Why yes I’m a noodle addict, how could you tell?
What is one thing you want people to know about being a foodie influencer & content creator: While it’s fun to post content for larger restaurants/companies, I definitely love promoting smaller mom-and-pop shops. Some of the best restaurants are unassuming holes-in-the-wall, so it’s important to eat local and promote these spots as much as you can!
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: I’m still on the lookout for the best fried chicken in the Bay Area. If you are too, hit me up and let’s “food-hunt” together!
Michael Tran of @betweenballoons
When and why you started your Instagram page: I started my Instagram page two years ago because I wanted to share my travel and food recommendations. I call it Between Balloons because balloons are all about freedom and happiness and that’s what I want my page to represent. I also wanted a creative space to practice my photography.
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: I work full-time for a nonprofit tech company in Palo Alto doing marketing and I love it!
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: That’s so hard! Ramen is my go-to meal and my favorite spots are Ramen Nagi, Mensho Toyko, and Marufuku Ramen.
What is one thing you want people to know about being a foodie influencer & content creator: Being a food influencer and content creator has allowed me to meet such amazing people in the community. Whether it’s someone who follows my page, a fellow content creator, or a restaurant owner, it’s all about the connections you make.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: I love to travel so my page also has non-food related recommendations and travel tips for other cities.
Juliani Budianto of @oinker.eats
When and why you started your Instagram page: I have always been interested in food. In Summer 2018, my son took a class in Berkeley. My daughter and I accompany him to class often and had a chance to explore many Berkeley eateries. We used Instagram to guide us which restaurant to try. For fun, we posted the pretty dishes on our accounts. I enjoyed taking photos of beautiful food so much, it became my hobby.
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: I spend my time cooking, traveling, hitting the gym for Zumba class or watching K-Drama.
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: I like all types of food, and I have a weakness when it comes to desserts. However, my most memorable meal is at Abstract Table in Oakland. The dishes are like art and the taste is mind-blowing good.
What is one thing you want people to know about being a foodie influencer & content creator: Get yourself out there and socialize in person. It has been such a rewarding experience to meet so many creative people from different backgrounds with the same interest, from foodies, chefs, restaurant owners, marketers and many more.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: My daughter @tiffanys_eats got me started as a foodie on Instagram. I have a passion for art and food so Instagram is a perfect medium for me to explore my creativity.
Michelle Fung of @foodwithmichelle
When and why you started your Instagram page: I started my food Instagram page less than two years ago for fun, since I always enjoyed going outside and exploring new food places! Every time I went out, I would take numerous pictures of my food and before I knew it, I had built a whole archive of food photos. Since I had so many photos, I figured I would share my food adventures on a food blog. After that, @foodwithmichelle was born!
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: When I’m not Instagramming, you’ll find me hanging out with friends (usually getting food), going on food and boba adventures, playing tennis, editing videos and photos on my computer, and catching up on a good book.
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: That’s a hard one because I’m not a picky eater at all! Truth is, I’ll eat everything that’s in front of me. But if I had to choose one restaurant, it’d be HaiDiLao because I really love all the variety and the numbing spicy in their hot pot!
What is one thing you want people to know about being a foodie influencer & content creator: Honestly, if you have a passion for expressing yourself, go for it! Remember to be genuine, honest, open-minded, and post anything YOU like!
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: I’m originally from the Bay Area but travel down to Santa Barbara and Orange County a lot. I’m literally eating my way through California! Please feel free to contact me if you need any recommendations since I’m quite familiar with places around the Bay Area and Orange County!
Monica Vimolchalao of @munch.with.momo
When and why you started your Instagram page: I started my Instagram page in November 2017. Food has always made me very happy and I love taking pictures of everything to capture life’s beautiful moments. For many years I wanted to start a food blog, but I would somehow talk myself out of it. Finally, one day while we were at work, my friends helped me create a name, and @munch.with.momo was born! I am able to do what I am passionate about because of the support and help from my family and friends. This is a fun place where I can creatively share my love for food, traveling, fashion, and color. There is a whole world to explore and taste. I am excited to continue sharing my foodventures with everyone!
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: You can catch me dancing at a music event or festival, cheering at a Bay Area sports game (GO GIANTS, WARRIORS, AND SHARKS), traveling, or spending time with my family and friends.
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: There are so many fantastic restaurants to choose from!
Marugame Udon in SF – you must have their curry udon.
Golden Boy Pizza in SF – their clam & garlic pizza is heavenly.
Satomi Sushi in Fremont – get the Greg Roll on their secret menu.
Sala Thai in Fremont – crispy fried fish and Pad Thai for the win
RawASF in Milpitas – gorgeous Açaí bowls
QQ Noodle in Milpitas – fresh hand-pulled noodles
Philz Coffee – I am addicted to their Philtered Soul and ecstatic iced coffee.
What is one thing you want people to know about being a foodie influencer & content creator: Everyone has their own unique voice and personality to share with the world! It can be intimidating at first to start any type of blog, but when you’re passionate and love something, go for it! Being able to pour my time and energy into something I love doing has been so rewarding. The foodie community is awesome, and I am grateful I have been able to connect with so many wonderful people.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: My real name is Monica, but everyone calls me Momo! A friend gave me the nickname in the 7th grade and it has stuck ever since.
Rex Huang of @rexwhuang
When and why you started your Instagram page: My origin story isn’t all that exciting; I wish I could say I fell into a vat of Michelin-starred gravy and developed some Instagramming superpowers, but the truth is I don’t cook at all, and essentially eat out exclusively (to survive of course). Two years ago, I figured I might as well just regularly chronicle my highlighted eats whenever I can and thus my page was born. My college friends from @thazeri have been immensely supportive and encouraged me to post my food adventures on their page as well!
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: I’m a full-time physician, so life gets pretty busy with work! I’m passionate about youth and mental health care and enjoy both administrative and clinical work alike. I also love architecture, interior design, and real estate. You can probably find me snooping around an open house or two.
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: Too hard! But I love fine dining – and found Atelier Crenn and SingleThread Farms both quite memorable dining experiences.
What is one thing you want people to know about being a foodie influencer & content creator: There really is a wonderful community out there of fellow foodies of rich backgrounds and interests! Don’t be afraid to say hello, ask for recommendations, or meet up for meals!
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: My current life quote:
Neo: Why are you here?
The Oracle: Same reason. I love candy.
– The Matrix Reloaded
Carol Wong of @foodieclubsf
When and why you started your Instagram page: I have always loved eating out and taking pictures of my foodie adventures. I started my foodie account in 2017 with a couple of friends. Our goal was to form a real food club to meet other food enthusiasts just like us. We eventually went our separate ways and I kept the account going.
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: Other than being a foodie, I work at UCSF as a coordinator.
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: Akiko’s, The House, and Plow
What is one thing you want people to know about being a foodie influencer & content creator: The best thing about being a food influencer is being able to combine the social, culinary, cultural, and artistic aspects all into one. I get to meet people also involved in the foodie world such as chefs, managers, owners, fans, and other influencers. Nothing beats the opportunity to create new connections and make more friends, allowing them to share ideas and different perspectives. It is motivating to see how much love, support, and feedback we get. I get to present the different and creative foods that I try and the new places I visit leading to a greater awareness of what’s out there. It is satisfying to help in the growth of a great business while also showing off the delicious food that exists.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: One thing about me: I love to eat, travel and try new things.
Yinja L. of @followmyappetite
When and why you started your Instagram page: I started my Instagram page around 2016 when I lived in the Central Valley for school. I would always post my food photos on my Instagram page and then decided to create one just for food. I wanted my page to feature various eats from the parts of the Bay Area and beyond that may not be as well-known.
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: I am currently working on my Masters and busy working as an Elementary School Teacher. I also enjoy spending time with family, friends, and cooking.
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: A few of my top Bay Area restaurants include El Mono, Puesto, Pedro’s Brazil Cafe, and Kitchen Story are just a few. My FAVORITE dessert spots in the Bay Area are Garden Creamery and Golden Gate Bakery!
What is one thing you want people to know about being a foodie influencer & content creator: I believe everyone can be a great foodie influencer & content creator! I always like to keep my content original and personable. I always make sure that what I post is something that I personally enjoyed myself and it is something I feel all of you would enjoy as well!
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: If you ever want any recommendations for places in the East Bay and beyond, feel free to let me know! I also have a list of places to go for if you’re in Seattle or Hawaii!