NEM 10 2025

Dining

BY ANDREW CREELMAN

Turon is a sweet plantain wrapped in a spring roll that is caramelized in a crunchy, sugary glaze.

M.Y. Chockdee Oriental Market & Restaurant serves classic Filipino combos with garlic fried rice, pork adobo and Lumpia.

PHOTOS BY ANDREW CREELMANCOMMUNITY IMPACT

M.Y. Chockdee serves authentic Filipino cuisine

Owners Merle and Yong Rivera said they rst opened the market and restaurant in 1999 in Universal City.

little restaurant, but we had to start somewhere,” Rivera said. Main course The food is based on recipes Rivera learned while growing up near the city of Angeles in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. “I remember all the food my grandparents would make and I have brought it all here,” she said. Rivera and her husband serve classic Filipino dishes like the noodle-based Pancit Bihon, Pork Adobo, garlic fried rice and pork-lled Lumpia, a type of spring roll. Patrons can also choose from a variety of combos and also cater party trays for events and celebrations.

There aren’t many places in San Antonio that oer sit-down Filipino dining and an Asian grocery market all-in-one. At M.Y. Chockdee Oriental Market & Restaurant Owner and Chef Merle Rivera said they have both—along with catering options and more. The backstory Rivera said she wanted to bring her love of cooking to the United States, so she moved from the Philippines to Texas in 1985. During that process, she met her husband, Yong—who trained her to become a professional cook. The couple began by selling food at various ea markets and local concession stands. “Our end goal was to have a little store and a

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119 E. Lindbergh Blvd., Universal City Facebook: M.Y. Chockdee Oriental Market & Restaurant

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