Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In Hong Kong, Filipino food has long existed in plain sight. It is deeply loved by the Filipino community, yet often overlooked by everyone else. Before Dara became a modern Filipino restaurant in Hong Kong, it was a family cooking out of their home during the pandemic. Led by Darang Mel, whose Kapampangan recipes were inspired by her own mother, the Bunoan family began preparing comfort food for a community that missed home.
In this episode of The Grind, we follow Darang Mel, her son Jermaine Bunoan, and the rest of the team as they balance family, tradition and the brutal realities of running a destination restaurant in one of the world’s most expensive cities.
LOCATION:
Dara
Shop 3, 5-6, G/F, Soho 189, No. 189 Queen's Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
For reservations:
book.bistrochat.com/dara
Follow Dara:
facebook.com/hkg.dara
instagram.com/dara_hkg
Special thanks to:
Imelda Bunoan
Jermaine Bunoan
Jon Bunoan
Mark Korponay
Alyssa Menchavez
Jay Brodit
Ehrica Maristela
Jump to:
(0:00) Intro
(0:50) Busy Hong Kong
(1:45) Jermaine
(2:45) Darang Mel
(5:25) The Beginnings
(6:40) The Rise
(14:10) The Struggles
(16:00) The Magic
(18:00) Outro
Shop our merch: shop.featrmedia.com
Shop the products that we featured: https://chingolodeli.ph/collections/featr-finds
-------------------------------
We are looking for collaborators, content producers, brands, and anyone who has a story to tell. Email us at hello@thefatkidinside.com
The Fat Kid Inside Studios
Erwan Heussaff - Founder
Kashka Gaddi - Creative Director
Eamonn Quizon - Cinematographer
Edel Valera - Story Producer
Harold Singzon - Story Producer
Mary Lournette Baligod - Story Producer
Kleo Balares - Supervising Producer
Hans Rivera - Creative Director
Janelle Sy - Content Producer
Elyzza Ragodon - Associate Producer
Julius Rivera - Videographer
Lorraine Santos - Editor
Dana Blasé - Editor
Kim Arroyo - Editor
Evan Olfato - Editor
Hazel Juniosa - Editor
Whilhem Lorena - Multimedia Editor
RM Alfonso - Multimedia Editor
Martin Narisma - Food Editor
Ynna Gaita - Junior Food Editor
Kathryna de Bustos - Social Media and Content Manager
Chester Velasco - Studio Manager & Camera Operator
Kevin Amponin - Production Assistant
Dustin Dagamac - Colorist
Sofia Paderes - Graphic Artist & Illustrator
Joshua Gonzales - Graphic Designer
Dajed Binauhan - Multimedia Artist
Eros Deocariza - Multimedia Artist
Bianca Adriano - Accounts & Sales Coordinator
Donalyn Aranda - Administrative Accountant
Jennylyn Quizon - Admin Accounting Assistant
Marvin Hernandez - Messenger
Janette Mellina - Office Maintenance Personnel
Sandy Mellina - Office Maintenance Personnel
Content Creators:
Seth Alonzo
Samuelle Bawasanta
Trisha Chua
Nica Soledad
Interns:
Fionna Virgo
Dharlene Ilagan
John Gabriel Gemzon
Social Media:
instagram.com/featrmedia
tiktok.com/@featrmedia
facebook.com/featrmedia
https://x.com/featrmedia
threads.com/@featrmedia
Follow Erwan:
instagram.com/erwan
threads.com/@erwan
In Hong Kong, Filipino food has long existed in plain sight. It is deeply loved by the Filipino community, yet often overlooked by everyone else. Before Dara became a modern Filipino restaurant in Hong Kong, it was a family cooking out of their home during the pandemic. Led by Darang Mel, whose Kapampangan recipes were inspired by her own mother, the Bunoan family began preparing comfort food for a community that missed home.
In this episode of The Grind, we follow Darang Mel, her son Jermaine Bunoan, and the rest of the team as they balance family, tradition and the brutal realities of running a destination restaurant in one of the world’s most expensive cities.
LOCATION:
Dara
Shop 3, 5-6, G/F, Soho 189, No. 189 Queen's Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
For reservations:
book.bistrochat.com/dara
Follow Dara:
facebook.com/hkg.dara
instagram.com/dara_hkg
Special thanks to:
Imelda Bunoan
Jermaine Bunoan
Jon Bunoan
Mark Korponay
Alyssa Menchavez
Jay Brodit
Ehrica Maristela
Jump to:
(0:00) Intro
(0:50) Busy Hong Kong
(1:45) Jermaine
(2:45) Darang Mel
(5:25) The Beginnings
(6:40) The Rise
(14:10) The Struggles
(16:00) The Magic
(18:00) Outro
Shop our merch: shop.featrmedia.com
Shop the products that we featured: https://chingolodeli.ph/collections/featr-finds
-------------------------------
We are looking for collaborators, content producers, brands, and anyone who has a story to tell. Email us at hello@thefatkidinside.com
The Fat Kid Inside Studios
Erwan Heussaff - Founder
Kashka Gaddi - Creative Director
Eamonn Quizon - Cinematographer
Edel Valera - Story Producer
Harold Singzon - Story Producer
Mary Lournette Baligod - Story Producer
Kleo Balares - Supervising Producer
Hans Rivera - Creative Director
Janelle Sy - Content Producer
Elyzza Ragodon - Associate Producer
Julius Rivera - Videographer
Lorraine Santos - Editor
Dana Blasé - Editor
Kim Arroyo - Editor
Evan Olfato - Editor
Hazel Juniosa - Editor
Whilhem Lorena - Multimedia Editor
RM Alfonso - Multimedia Editor
Martin Narisma - Food Editor
Ynna Gaita - Junior Food Editor
Kathryna de Bustos - Social Media and Content Manager
Chester Velasco - Studio Manager & Camera Operator
Kevin Amponin - Production Assistant
Dustin Dagamac - Colorist
Sofia Paderes - Graphic Artist & Illustrator
Joshua Gonzales - Graphic Designer
Dajed Binauhan - Multimedia Artist
Eros Deocariza - Multimedia Artist
Bianca Adriano - Accounts & Sales Coordinator
Donalyn Aranda - Administrative Accountant
Jennylyn Quizon - Admin Accounting Assistant
Marvin Hernandez - Messenger
Janette Mellina - Office Maintenance Personnel
Sandy Mellina - Office Maintenance Personnel
Content Creators:
Seth Alonzo
Samuelle Bawasanta
Trisha Chua
Nica Soledad
Interns:
Fionna Virgo
Dharlene Ilagan
John Gabriel Gemzon
Social Media:
instagram.com/featrmedia
tiktok.com/@featrmedia
facebook.com/featrmedia
https://x.com/featrmedia
threads.com/@featrmedia
Follow Erwan:
instagram.com/erwan
threads.com/@erwan
