Stories

December 27, 2022

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Filipino teenager Given Mendoza turned her fangirling into a business. As a K-Pop fan, she loves collecting merch of her favorite Korean pop idols. 

Given realized that these items can increase in value. She then found a way to earn by reselling them and worked on growing the business.

With the business’ great potential, the 13-year-old launched her online store, G’s KPop Kilig, “I decided to buy some albums for myself. I also bought some extra albums to sell, to see if I can earn profit,” she told the local news.

Later on, she was able to save enough to open a physical store in Baguio City, Philippines, and sells milk tea and K-Pop merch. As an “Army ”of the popular Korean group BTS, she also incorporates some inspiration to her milk teas.

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Couple Behind Eau Juicy-La Crosse Unveils Their Asian-inspired Menu

Bringing a delightful blend of Asian-inspired Cajun seafood to the city, Eau Juicy-La Crosse has been making waves since its opening on July 14. The minds behind this exciting venture are Xavier Yang and his fiancee, Yer Thao, who express their satisfaction with the positive response received from the community.

Through this venture, Yang and Thao have gained valuable insights into the preferences of local residents. Yang shares his observations with La Crosse Tribune, stating, “We’ve noticed that here, a lot of people like snow crab.” Located at 412 Main St. in downtown La Crosse, the restaurant has become a focal point after the closure of Soula’s Cuisina at the end of June.

Building on their prior experience, Yang and Thao operated their first Eau Juicy restaurant in Eau Claire from July 2021 to September 2022. Their success has paved the way for the next chapter, as they plan to open another Eau Juicy establishment in nearby Altoona come spring, according to La Crosse Tribune.

Unveiling the favorites on their menu, patrons are drawn to the head-off shrimp and the sumptuous Dillybob Special platter. This elaborate feast includes 4 to 5 pounds of shrimp, mussels, crawfish, and snow crab, complemented by four servings of corn, potatoes, and a generous portion of sausages. This feast is designed to cater to the appetites of two to four individuals.

Aside from seafood, the menu boasts a diverse array of options, ranging from wings and french fries to egg rolls and a variety of sides such as corn, potatoes, sausages, sticky rice, and sweet rolls. The dining experience is further elevated by an array of sauces, allowing patrons to tailor their meals to their preferences. Additionally, the restaurant offers catering services to ensure their delectable offerings are a highlight of special occasions.

Looking ahead, Yang and Thao are eager to expand their beverage options. Pending the acquisition of a city liquor license, they plan to introduce beer, wine, and cocktails to complement their culinary offerings, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Featured Image Source: La Crosse Tribune

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Tue Nguyen’s Journey from TikTok Stardom to Opening Her Own Restaurant

Tue Nguyen is a young cook who came to the US from Vietnam as a kid. She became extremely well-known on TikTok for demonstrating how to prepare Vietnamese food. She went from posting videos of her cooking Vietnamese dishes on TikTok during the pandemic to opening her own restaurant called Di Di near Los Angeles.

“I think that’s always kind of been like a dream. But… I honestly didn’t know that it would come this fast,” Nguyen shared in a recent interview with AFP.

She learned cooking in a special school, but her real talent came from her family’s way of cooking. Her mom and stepdad taught her how to make good food and trust her taste.

At first, Tue put videos online as TwayDaBae where she did mukbangs. People liked them, but they loved her cooking videos more. She saw that most of her audience didn’t just want to watch, they also wanted to learn how to make the delicious food themselves.

Tue didn’t start by making a big restaurant. She began with small places where she cooked for people. The first place where she did this is now her restaurant, called Di Di. Many people follow her on social media like Instagram and TikTok. They like her videos a lot, but Tue thinks that sharing recipes online won’t stop people from coming to her restaurant. She says her online recipes are simple, while her restaurant food looks and tastes more special.

Di Di, which means “Let’s go” in Vietnamese, is like a piece of Tue’s heart. It’s filled with comfy chairs, pretty lamps, and plants. It opened recently and is already making people happy. Tue mixes what she learned in cooking school with the flavors from her family.

Featured Image Source: Eater LA

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How Leila Jace Built a Thriving Street Food Joint Inspired by Childhood Memories in Vietnam

Growing up in Vietnam, Leila Jace cherished the simple joys of childhood, like the intoxicating aroma of smoky grilled corn wafting from street vendors as she walked home from school. She didn’t have much money, but she saved up her lunch money to buy a treat she loved – a slightly charred corn on the cob sprinkled with scallions for extra flavor.

Little did she know that this fond memory would become the star of her own restaurant in Fresno, California.

Just nine months ago, Leila’s dream came true as she opened the doors to Sizzle n’ Steam, a cozy spot at Maroa and Shields avenues in Fresno. This Vietnamese street food joint has quickly become a hit, boasting an impressive 4.5-star rating on Yelp.com and even snagging the third spot in The Bee’s poll for the most underrated restaurant in town.

Leila’s journey to becoming a food entrepreneur is quite a story. According to The Fresno Bee, Leila came to California at 14 without speaking much English. She pursued her studies and even built a successful career in retirement planning. But a longing for change and a desire to be close to her parents led her to Fresno, where she decided to give life a new flavor – by opening a restaurant.

What makes Sizzle n’ Steam so special? It’s all about fusing Leila’s unique style and travel adventures with the mouthwatering Vietnamese street food. Yes, the menu features well-known delicacies like pho, spring rolls, and bowls of vermicelli noodles. But the real magic lies in the lesser-known treats that Leila has added, like the Gilroy garlicky fries that pay homage to the place her family first settled when they came to the U.S. The restaurant also offers an array of vegan and vegetarian options, catering to a diverse clientele.

Aside from what her restaurant has to offer, Leila’s warm hospitality is outstanding, transforming her customers into friends, and turning Sizzle n’ Steam into a hub where diners feel right at home.

Featured Image Source: The Fresno Bee

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Filipino Entrepreneur’s Journey From Being an Employee to Owning Three Businesses in UAE

Dubai has long been known as a hub of opportunity, a place where dreams can flourish and aspirations come true. Frando Sarmiento’s journey from a regular worker to a successful entrepreneur is a great example of this. He now owns not one, not two, but three thriving businesses in the UAE. Let’s dive into his inspiring story and see how he made it happen.

Frando Sarmiento’s story began in a small fishing village in the Philippines. His parents worked hard to raise him and provide a good education. Even though life was simple, his parents’ efforts and support shaped his dreams of doing something big one day.

In 2005, Sarmiento came to Dubai to explore job options. He started with jobs like sales manager and gained experience in different companies. These experiences gave him insights into various industries and ignited his desire to run his own businesses someday.

The efficient process of setting up a company surprised him and made his entrepreneurial journey smoother. According to Gulf News, Sarmiento was amazed by how easy it was to start a business in the UAE, and this played a big role in his success.

“It is best to start while you’re young. Whatever happens, one is bound to learn something profound that will benefit him in many ways. When we are young, we are not afraid of making mistakes. There is a lot of time left to recover and learn. This is something I would have told myself during my younger years. But, as they say, it is never too late to start building what you want,” Sarmiento shared with Gulf News.

Featured Image Source: Gulf News