Episode 14 - Mahal’s Kitchen

Discovering Filipino Cuisine and the Story of Mahal's Kitchen

Cooking With Trial and Error

In this episode, we explore the delicious Filipino cuisine served at Mahalahn in Universal City. Owner and operator Arbie Fruto shares the restaurant's location, hours, and expansive menu. Some of their popular appetizers include Lupiah Shanghai, Dynamite, barbecue skewers, and various street foods. Arbie also discusses plans to add more items to the menu, including the addition of chicken intestines in the near future. Arbie reveals her trial-and-error approach to perfecting her recipes, such as the authentic taste of their pork egg roll, Lumpia.

From Dialysis to Restaurant

In this chapter, we delve into Arbie's journey from nursing to owning and operating Mahal’s Kitchen, a Filipino restaurant. Arbie shares how her husband's support and confidence in her cooking abilities inspired her to pursue her dream of opening a restaurant. Despite facing unexpected challenges during the opening, Arbie and her husband persevered and are now proud of their accomplishments. They have both left their previous jobs to focus on the restaurant full-time. Arbie reflects on the differences between being an employee and an owner, noting the importance of managing costs and inventory.

Exploring Filipino Comfort Food

In this segment, we discuss the wide variety of dishes and flavors offered at Mahal’s Kitchen. We learn about the popular Bopis, a dish made with beef hearts and tripe, as well as the surprising popularity of Dinuguan among American customers. Other dishes mentioned include Escobeche, shrimp tempura, peanut bread, and the comforting sour soup Sinigang. Don't forget about the extensive dessert options like Leche Flan, Ube Halaya, and Ginataan, a coconut milk dish with tapioca pearls and fruits. Listen to find out more about these delicious Filipino dishes and more!