From My LA Upbringing to Meymuni’s First Hit

I grew up in LA—like real LA, not “LA-adjacent”—so I’ve always been surrounded by this super unique mix of food culture, little cafés, chill hangout spots, and low-key health trends. That’s the vibe I grew up loving. But at home? It was all about Persian flavors.

Lavashak, torshi, zereshk—things that felt totally normal at home were almost invisible when I looked around at most restaurants or cafés.

So when I started Meymuni, it wasn’t about being trendy or trying to reinvent the wheel. It was literally: How do I bring the flavors I grew up with into a format that feels like LA in 2025? And one of the first answers to that was the Lavashak Smoothie.

It’s inspired by those tangy fruit leathers we’d all snack on as kids—super sour, super nostalgic—but we flipped it into a smoothie with real fruit, clean ingredients, and that same punch of flavor. It’s a little weird (in the best way), and it just works.

What Is Lavashak Anyway?

If you didn’t grow up with it, lavashak is basically Persian fruit leather. It’s sour, tangy, chewy, and usually made from fruits like sour cherry, pomegranate, plum, or barberry.

You’d find it in Persian markets, wrapped in plastic and sometimes layered with salt or chili. It’s one of those snacks that every Iranian kid knows—but the rest of the world hasn’t really caught onto… yet.

At Meymuni, we took that inspiration and ran with it. Instead of a chewy snack, we turned it into a smoothie packed with tart fruit, natural sweetness, and a bold, unmistakable flavor. You still get that mouth-puckering, juicy vibe, but in a super sippable, fresh format.

Why It’s Hit So Hard with Second-Gen Iranians in LA

I think a lot of second-gen Persians saw themselves in Meymuni—not just in the menu, but in the idea of finally seeing something from our culture out there in a public, fun, modern way. The Lavashak Smoothie going viral wasn’t just a “cool” moment. It was like—yo, this is our stuff. This is our flavor profile, our childhood snack—in a format that anyone can try and fall in love with.

And I think that’s why people have been showing up so hard. It’s more than just a drink. It’s proof that Iranian culture doesn’t have to stay in the background or only show up in history books or fancy dinners. It can be bold, fun, vibrant—and yeah, even go viral.

What’s in It: Our Tangy Twist on a Superfood Smoothie

No syrups. No neon colors. Just real fruit, Persian inspiration, and ingredients that hit.

Official ingredients:

• Pomegranate & orange juice – juicy and citrus-bright

• Zereshk lavashak (barberry fruit leather) – for that deep, sour tang

• Peaches, strawberries, raspberries – for a little body and natural sweetness

• Pomegranate molasses – rich, tart, and perfectly Persian

Vaveyla.

This Is Just the Beginning

Our menu goes way beyond that one drink, and every item is built on the same foundation: ancient ingredients, modern format, and a vibe that feels at home in LA.

And as we keep growing, we’re gonna keep playing with flavors, telling stories, and building a space that feels like us—for the Persian community, for LA, and for anyone who’s down to explore something a little different.

The Lavashak Smoothie might’ve been our breakout moment—but honestly? We’re just getting started.

- Shaheen
Founder / Magician