Episode 68 of the Minneapolis Roundup celebrates the grand opening of Fjora, a new Nordic-Hmong restaurant in the North Loop, praised for its unique fusion dishes like Smoked Walleye Larb and Cardamom-Spiced Pork Belly. Host Alex also highlights Loon Soda's viral "Minnesota Goodbye" marketing campaign and previews the highly anticipated Art-A-Whirl event in Northeast Minneapolis.

Key Highlights:

• Fjora, a new Nordic-Hmong restaurant, opens in the North Loop, offering unique fusion cuisine from Chefs Linnea Andersson and Pao Vang.

• Loon Soda sees a 40% sales jump after launching its hilarious and relatable "The Minnesota Goodbye" social media marketing campaign.

• Art-A-Whirl, featuring over a thousand artists, live music, and food trucks, is set to take over Northeast Minneapolis from May 15th-17th.

• Discover plant-based dining options with mplsveganhub.com and navigate Minnesota's cannabis scene with mncannabishub.com.

Topics: Fjora, Nordic-Hmong restaurant, North Loop, Loon Soda, The Minnesota Goodbye, marketing campaign, Art-A-Whirl, Northeast Minneapolis, local artists, mplsveganhub.com, mncannabishub.com, Minneapolis

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TRANSCRIPT

(0:00)

[UPBEAT, CHILL INTRO MUSIC FADES IN AND THEN FADES TO BACKGROUND]

ALEX:

Hey, Twin Cities, and welcome back to the Minneapolis Roundup! It’s your host, Alex, and it is a glorious Monday, May 4th, 2026. The sun is out, the patios are packed, and that feeling of pure Minnesota spring is officially in the air.

This is your weekly dose of the best in local food, business, and events, all designed to get you plugged into the city we love.

And a quick shout-out to our sponsors who make this all possible: mplsveganhub.com, your guide to plant-based eating in the Twin Cities, and mncannabishub.com, your source for all things cannabis in Minnesota. We’ll talk more about them later.

Alright, let’s get into it. First up: food.

(0:45)

[TRANSITION SOUND EFFECT - A SUBTLE SIZZLE OR PLATE CLINK]

ALEX:

Okay, if you’ve been anywhere near the North Loop lately, you’ve felt the buzz. I’m talking about Fjora. That’s F-J-O-R-A. It’s the new Nordic-Hmong restaurant that just opened in the old Tullibee space, and folks, the hype is real.

This isn't just another fusion spot. This is a thoughtful, brilliant collaboration between Chef Linnea Andersson, known for her incredible work with Scandinavian preservation techniques, and Chef Pao Vang, a rising star from St. Paul’s Hmong food scene.

The result is a menu that feels both completely new and deeply rooted in Minnesota. Think dishes like Smoked Walleye Larb, where you get that delicate, smoky fish flavor hit with bright lime, mint, and a kick of chili. Or their signature dish: Cardamom-Spiced Pork Belly served on a bed of sticky rice with a lingonberry-chili jam. It’s sweet, savory, spicy, and just… perfect.

They’re booked out for weeks, but my pro tip is to try and snag a seat at the bar right when they open at 5 PM. The atmosphere is incredible—it’s that clean, minimalist Nordic design but with vibrant, colorful textiles from Hmong artisans. It’s a true celebration of two cultures that make our state so unique.

And for my plant-based listeners, Fjora does have some incredible mushroom and tofu dishes. But if you want the ultimate guide to vegan-friendly spots all over the metro, from fine dining to food trucks, you have to check out our sponsor, mplsveganhub.com. They’ve got maps, reviews, and everything you need.

(2:45)

[TRANSITION SOUND EFFECT - A CASH REGISTER KA-CHING OR A DIGITAL NOTIFICATION BING]

ALEX:

Alright, let’s shift gears to the world of business. This week’s win goes to a local company that absolutely nailed a marketing campaign by tapping into a core piece of our local identity. I’m talking about Loon Soda.

You’ve probably seen their craft seltzers—they have flavors like Birch Beer & Honeycrisp or Juniper & Plum. But their product isn’t what’s making waves; it’s their new ad campaign called “The Minnesota Goodbye.”

If you’re from here, you know exactly what this is. It’s the 25-minute process of leaving a party. You’ve got the initial "welp, we should get going," followed by a chat in the kitchen, another conversation at the door, one more on the porch, and a final story shouted from the driveway.

Loon Soda created a series of hilarious 30-second videos for social media showcasing these painfully relatable scenarios. They’re funny, they’re charming, and they don’t even push the product that hard. Instead, they’re selling a feeling—a shared cultural quirk that makes us all nod and laugh.

It’s a masterclass in local marketing. They understood their audience on a deep level and created content that feels like an inside joke for the entire state. Sales have reportedly jumped over 40% since the campaign launched last month. It’s proof that you don’t need a massive budget; you just need to be authentic. A huge win for Loon Soda.

(4:45)

[TRANSITION SOUND EFFECT - UPBEAT, ENERGETIC MUSIC STING]

ALEX:

Finally, let's talk about what’s happening. We’re in May, which means one of the best weekends of the entire year is right around the corner. Get ready for Art-A-Whirl!

Happening from Friday, May 15th through Sunday, May 17th, this is when the artists of Northeast Minneapolis throw open their studio doors to the public. We’re talking over a thousand artists across dozens of buildings like the Northrup King Building and the Casket Arts Community.

It is a massive, sprawling, beautiful celebration of our city’s creative soul. You can see paintings, pottery, sculpture, photography, you name it. Plus, the entire neighborhood comes alive with live music, food trucks, and special tappings at all the local breweries like Indeed and Bauhaus.

My advice? Wear comfortable shoes, have a loose plan of a few artists you want to see, but then just let yourself wander and discover something new. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure weekend, and you can’t go wrong.

And as you’re planning your weekend exploration, remember that Minnesota's cannabis culture is a vibrant part of the local scene now, too. For a complete guide to 420-friendly events, dispensary deals, or even cannabis-infused art classes happening around Art-A-Whirl, your go-to source is our sponsor mncannabishub.com. They’ll keep you in the know.

(6:15)

[OUTRO MUSIC FADES IN SOFTLY]

ALEX:

And that’s our roundup for this week! We drooled over the Nordic-Hmong magic at Fjora, we applauded the brilliant marketing from Loon Soda, and we got hyped for Art-A-Whirl.

Go out and enjoy this amazing city, everyone.

The Minneapolis Roundup was brought to you by mplsveganhub.com—your one-stop shop for plant-based living—and by mncannabishub.com, your guide to Minnesota’s cannabis scene. Check them both out online.

I’m Alex. We’ll be back next Monday with more of the best of the Twin Cities. Stay cool, Minneapolis.

[OUTRO MUSIC SWELLS TO FINISH]

(6:45)