CRISPY, JUICY, UNHINGED: My Obsession with Mom’s Pan-Fried Buns in Toronto’s Chinatown
By Anne Wong Look, there’s this sizzle I can’t get outta my head. It’s like the soundtrack to my cravings. I’m talking about that glorious, golden crackle from Mom’s Pan Fried Bun on Spadina. The place is tiny, but honestly, it’s where dough gets a PhD in delicious. Every bite? Like being bear-hugged by your […]
From Apartment Stove to Toronto’s Favorite Chicharon: The Mang Mars Story
Before the storefront, before the frying stations and the delivery trucks, there was just a man in his apartment kitchen—frying pork rinds and peanuts, one batch at a time. Mang Mars (Mar Pablo Mallari) came to Toronto in 2008. A Kapampangan-Bisaya from Guagua, Pampanga, he never planned to become a food entrepreneur. His life revolved […]
Bella’s Inasal: Where Family, Flavor, and Filipino Roots Meet
In the heart of Mississauga, there’s a restaurant that isn’t just serving food—it’s serving family history, tradition, and heart. Bella’s Inasal, featured in the show Katas ng Kusina, is more than a neighborhood eatery. It’s the story of Joyce Inero, an Ilonggo father, husband, and chef, who built something out of necessity—and turned it into a community […]
A Taste of Chiang Mai in the Heart of Toronto
In this episode of Crave & Company, Cherie and her husband Mike take us on a flavorful escape to Thailand—without ever leaving Toronto. Their destination? Chiang Mai Restaurant at York Mills, a cozy and vibrant Thai spot known for rich curries, warm hospitality, and dishes that tell stories. As they settle into the patio, surrounded by […]
From Potlucks to Packed Events: The Story of Tummy Fillers
In this episode of Katas ng Kusina, we head to Brampton to meet Cherry and Erwin Bansil, the powerhouse couple behind Tummy Fillers, a Filipino catering business that has grown from humble backyard potlucks into one of the most trusted names in the community. What began as word-of-mouth orders from friends and family has turned into a full-blown […]
Sarabasab Getaways: A Flavor Trip to Bistro Manila with Jeff & Christia
There’s something magical about discovering a dish for the first time—especially one that’s smoky, spicy, and sour all at once. In this episode of Crave and Company, Jeff and Christia take us to Bistro Manila, a cozy Filipino spot that dares to reintroduce Sarabasab—a grilled pork dish hailing from the northern provinces, known for its tangy twist and bold flavor […]
The Story Behind Hermie’s Filipino & Canadian Diner
In the heart of Ontario, where winter winds meet warm cravings, you’ll find a place where tapa meets grilled cheese, and pancit shares a table with poutine. It’s called Hermie’s Filipino & Canadian Diner, and it’s more than just a restaurant—it’s a dream cooked slowly over time. In this episode of Katas ng Kusina, we meet Hermie, a Filipina who started her […]
Wrapped in Warmth – Aling Zenaida’s Suman sa Lihiya
In a quiet Canadian kitchen far from Tacloban, the comforting aroma of sticky rice and coconut wafts through the air. It’s here where Aling Zenaida Singson-Alex, with a pot in one hand and memory in the other, recreates the suman sa lihiya of her youth—one leaf-wrapped bundle at a time. In this episode of Lutong Kapitbahay, we’re […]
Tropang Ilonggo: April Cabrias and the Taste of Grit, Garlic, and Gratitude
In a quiet commercial strip in the Greater Toronto Area, a humble kitchen simmers with stories of resilience, family, and Ilonggo flavor. This is Tropang Ilonggo—a restaurant built not just from scratch, but from pure heart and late-night teamwork. And at the center of it all is April Cabrias, whose journey from food festivals to full-fledged […]
Craving Comfort, Finding Compassion: Filbert & Rosary at Buddha’s Vegan
What do you get when you combine vegan nostalgia, Chinese comfort food, and good company? A warm, flavorful episode of Crave and Company—this time featuring Filbert and Rosary as they dine at Buddha’s Vegan Restaurant, a modest but mighty gem tucked in downtown Toronto. For Filbert, who has been vegan for over a decade, Buddha’s is more […]
