At M.Y. Chockdee Oriental Market & Restaurant, located at 115 E. Lindbergh Blvd., Owner and Chef Merle Ramirez said they have both—along with catering options and more.
The backstory
Ramirez 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.
“Eventually, we wanted to open our dream,” Ramirez said. “So we started extremely small.”
“Our end goal was to have a little store and a little restaurant, but we had to start somewhere,” Ramirez said.
But it wasn't until they gained a local following for their cuisine that they opened in Universal City in 1999.
Main course
The food is based on recipes Ramirez 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.
Ramirez and her husband serve classic Filipino dishes like the noodle-based Pancit Bihon, Pork Adobo, Garlic Fried Rice and pork-filled Lumpia, a type of spring roll.
The most popular Filipino dessert on the menu is the sweet, crunchy Turon, which is a plantain wrapped in spring roll and caramelized with a sugary glaze, Ramirez said. Patrons can also choose from a variety of combos and also cater Party Trays for events and celebrations.
Learn more
Ramirez said her favorite part of owning M.Y. Chockdee for nearly three decades has been teaching customers about her native cuisine and her love of cooking.
“I love to give my [cooking] secrets away,” she said. “It’s so fascinating to show people the ingredients.”
In the future, the couple plans to continue the Filipino tradition of fostering a place of friendship and good food in Northeast San Antonio.
- 115 E. Lindbergh Blvd., Universal City
- Facebook: M.Y. Chockdee Oriental Market & Restaurant
