Korean fried chicken addict

by Matt Dela Peña

First of all, there's a thing here in Korea that I really wish was a thing in the U.S. because often, putting pants on takes too much time. That is, the food delivery system in this country straight up phenomenal. For every restaurant that exists in Seoul, pretty much 9 out of 10 deliver to your front step. And most of them deliver no, not pizza—but chicken, and that's exactly how a certain fried poultry addiction of mine all started.

Left Coast Artisan Burgers @ Itaewon

by Matt Dela Peña

Not Chris.

After three consecutive weeks of never-ending meals from our dorm cafeteria, my friends and I were finally overdue for an American burger fix. Luckily, a few days back, we made a new friend from the States who also happen to be a part of the previous batch of ISA students. His name is Chris from almost-the-Bay Area Tracy, California.

How to feed yourself in Seoul

by Matt Dela Peña

Kimbap from Dongdaemun

When I went to China last summer, the one thing I did not get to try was street food and I'm probably going to regret it for the rest of my life, or until I go back to China. Street food vendors in Nanjing could not speak English and I, likewise, did not know a lick of Chinese.

So last year, when I finally found out I was going to be living in Seoul for four months, I knew that the first thing I needed to learn was the how to order food in Korean. And after having been here for two weeks already, I'm pretty convinced that my decision to study a little was completely worth it.

The Waffle Window

by Matt Dela Peña

Portland has a treasure trove's worth of shimmering gems hidden within its ninety-five neighborhoods that even some of its own residents don’t quite know about. Because that’s just the thing about this hipster-run metropolis: the locals don’t really want you to know about them.

Honey Toast Cafe

by Matt Dela Peña

If you're looking to settle a sweet tooth craving and experience one of the more hip, metropolitan-Euro-Asian fusion parts of Portland at the same time, then look no further than in Beaverton, a town just west of downtown.

Voodoo and Phở

by Matt Dela Peña

Ever since Spring semester started, I've been stuck in the metro area with pretty much nothing to do. During such occasions, I always go to Portland with some friends just to walk around and find new places to eat. In a tradition that dates back to high school, I now pretty much know most of the downtown area like the back of my hand.

It's more delicious in Pampanga

by Matt Dela Peña

If there's one thing I'm proud of for being Kapampangan, it's the food. Lutung Kapampangan, or Kapampangan cuisine, is widely considered to be the best and most refined cuisine among its regional counterparts in the country. (Even though my favorite food is laing from Bicol.) The saying goes: if you're Kapampangan, you know how to cook! (Not true.)