After 17 years in Owensboro, Jerome Hernandez and his wife, Diovy, are set to introduce the community to authentic Filipino cuisine with their new food trailer, Mangkok Filipino Cuisine.
Hernandez, a heavy equipment operator for Daviess County Fiscal Court, and Diovy, an experienced cook, have long dreamed of sharing the flavors of their homeland. Their journey toward launching a food trailer began after their success at the Owensboro Multicultural Festival, where they quickly sold out of more than 300 servings in a matter of hours.
“That experience really pushed us to take this step,” Hernandez said. “People loved the food and kept asking if we had a restaurant. We didn’t at the time, but now we’re making it happen.”
Mangkok Filipino Cuisine will serve a variety of traditional dishes, including lumpia, a Filipino-style egg roll filled with pork, onions, and celery; pancit, a noodle dish; and pork adobo, a popular marinated dish. They will also offer Filipino-style spaghetti, known for its sweet sauce, and a unique take on chicken wings with a balance of sweetness and spice.
“Filipino cuisine is a fusion of Spanish and Chinese influences,” Hernandez said. “It’s savory, not too spicy, and of course, rice is a staple.”
The couple recently passed all necessary health inspections and received their operating license, setting the stage for an early March launch, depending on the weather. While they plan to attend local events, they are also seeking a permanent parking location for customers to visit regularly.
“We just want to share the food we love and bring something new to Owensboro,” Hernandez said. “My wife is the real talent behind the cooking, and we can’t wait for people to try it.”
Mangkok Filipino Cuisine’s food trailer is currently being wrapped with its branding and will soon be ready for its debut. Follow Mangkok on Facebook here for the latest information on its opening.
