Scandinavian sisters bring Asian flavors to Grand Marais with WE Little Wok food truck
For the past six weeks, sisters Marja Erickson and Karli Wiinanen have delighted Cook County residents and visitors with Chinese flavors and menu items.
On May 29, the two sisters launched their new business, WE Little Wok, a bright green food truck serving Asian style food on 5th Street in Grand Marais.
“For a very long time, I have wanted there to be Asian food, Asian American food back in Grand Marais,” Erickson said. “I tried to get lots of other people to do it, and it never transpired.”
With a background in the restaurant industry, Wiinenan embraced the challenge of learning Asian-style recipes, such as lo mein, egg rolls, fried rice, and the wide variety of Asian sauces.
“It was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be,” Wiinanen said. “Lots of trial and error.”
The two Scandinavian sisters have experimented with different menu items since opening the food truck, offering weekly specials. The most recent additions have included shiitake mushroom pot stickers.
“Every week there seems to be something new that we’re doing to just see how it works, and if people like it,” Erickson said. “If there’s something that people think would be really great on our menu, we’re open to hearing about it.”
Sisters Karli Wiinanen and Marja Erickson | Photo by WE Little Wok
Throughout the entire process of launching the food truck, developing recipes, and hiring staff, Erickson and Wiinanen have received support from fellow restaurant and food truck owners. Family and community members have also contributed to bringing the business to fruition.
Erickson said that James and Christy Marshall of Double D’s Catering have helped improve food truck efficiencies and strengthen and refine recipes. “They’ve been a real godsend.”
In addition, Erickson also mentioned that Bill Copeland, who owned the Grand Marais bowling alley in the 1990s, shared the original fried rice recipe that was once served there. “Bill was kind enough to give us that recipe and also has had other pointers that he has given to us.”
“We want to thank everyone who has come to support us and has come back multiple times to support us. That means a lot and helps us know that we’re doing a good job,” Erickson said.
As of July 1, the updated hours of operation for the WE Little Wok food truck, located at 910 East Fifth Street, are Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Erickson said the best way to stay up-to-date on specials is to follow the We Little Wok Facebook page.
WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins sat down with We Little Wok owners Marja Erickson and Karli Wiinanen to learn more about the new food truck business, the inspiration and desire to bring Asian American food to Grand Marais, lessons learned, community support, and more. The audio from the interview is below.
Kalli Hawkins July 9, 2025
