Chooks Diner Expands in BGC with Opening of Two New Branches

Chooks Diner is bringing its iconic Filipino comfort cuisine closer to more consumers with the opening of two new locations in Bonifacio Global City: Chooks Diner Inoza Tower BGC and Chooks Diner Sundry cuisine Hall BGC.

The expansion marks another step forward for the burgeoning dine-in brand, bolstering its presence in one of Metro Manila's biggest lifestyle and business sectors. Both branches are strategically located to serve office workers, families, and food enthusiasts, and they offer a convenient and inviting dining environment where guests can enjoy flavorful and cheap Filipino cuisine.

Chooks Diner, Chooks-to-Go's restaurant brand, offers a full dine-in experience with the brand's well-known flavors and iconic comfort food favorites. The restaurant is known for its comforting comfort food choices, which include popular favorites like Chili Garlic Chicken, hearty Silog dinners, luscious desserts, and the legendary Chooks-to-Go Roasted Chicken. Guests can also receive free limitless rice and soup, making each meal even more satisfying and pleasurable.

Chooks Diner's newest sites in BGC aspire to become a go-to dining destination for busy professionals, residents, and visitors looking for great meals that fit into their daily routine. The brand is still committed to providing quality food, value for money dining, and the warm, familiar flavors that Filipino customers like.

UCC Mentore Coffee+Bar Unveiled at Shangri-La Plaza Mall

The Mugen Group, the company that brought the UCC coffee experience to the Philippines, recently opened the UCC Mentore Coffee+Bar at Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong last March 8. 

“The UCC family is continuously growing, and UCC Mentore is just one of the many branches that we will unveil in the Philippines this year. With its soft opening, we are giving the public a sneak peek into what we are offering. We are grateful to our loyal customers for their support and clamor to bring the UCC dining service closer to them. Our goal is to provide our customers with delicious food and drinks and serve these to them efficiently, ensuring that everyone who visits UCC Mentore enjoys a seamless and satisfying dining experience.” ~Hubert U. Young, CEO of UCC Ueshima Coffee Philippines, Inc.

Menu Highlights

UCC Mentore carries UCC’s signature menu items as well as new food options. Must-tries include the Ube Oatmeal, Spinach and Mushroom Benedict, Beef Tapa, Naked Longganisa, Crispy Shrooms, Roasted Aubergine Soup, Mixed Berries Salad, Street Toast, Shrimp ala Vodka Spaghetti, Wagyu Salisbury Steak, Shepherd’s Pie, and Blue Cheese and Shrimp Risotto.

Spinach and Mushroom Benedict

Shrimp ala Vodka Spaghetti

Wagyu Salisbury Steak

Mixed Berries Salad

Blue Cheese and Shrimp Risotto

Ube Oatmeal

Shepherd’s Pie

Crispy Shrooms

Roasted Aubergine Soup

UCC Mentore Shangri-La

For its coffees, UCC Mentore offers four different brewing methods. These include the syphon, which produces a smooth medium body and flavorful cup; pour over, the drip method that produces a clear, fragrant, and seductive coffee cup; cold brew, which results in a silky brew with deep coffee notes without the usual acidity; and espresso, which produces a bolder and more intense coffee flavor.

Syphon and pour over method coffee selections include the Sumiyaki, Special Blend, and Blue Mountain No. 1. A must-try espresso coffee, meanwhile, is the Salted Caramel Latte.

UCC Mentore Shangri-La

UCC Mentore Shangri-La

Coffee concoctions like the Kori Kohi, Avocado Coffee, and Ube Latte and the Brendo (ice-blended drink with coffee or cream milk base) like the Choco Chip Bits, Coffee, and Hoji Cha are also excellent choices.

Cutting-Edge Equipment

UCC’s innovative approach to coffee-making includes using the latest equipment, and UCC Mentore have several of them to further operational efficiency.

UCC Mentore Shangri-La

UCC Mentore Shangri-La

Two of the new machines are the Marco White SP9 Twin, a single serve commercial coffee machine that automates pour-over filter coffee brewing, and the sleek and stylish FRIIA HC Plus hot and cold undercounter water delivery system.

Cozy, Free-Flowing Design and Layout

UCC Mentore Shangri-La

Clear, wide pathways allow customers to move easily. A mix of wooden chairs, tables, and booths can accommodate individual guests and small groups.

UCC Mentore Shangri-La

Located at the East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza Mall (Midlevel 2/3), UCC Mentore has a hotel lobby setup -- a first for UCC. This makes the 75-seater a cozier and perfect place to chill for Shangri-La Plaza Mall shoppers.

Kiwa Express Opens in Ayala Malls Manila Bay

When Kiwa Express opened in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, it introduced mall customers to high-quality Korean dining options at reasonable prices. The casual Korean restaurant with quick service is an offshoot of Kiwa Korean Grill at Solaire Resort. It promises to offer premium Korean dishes that no other Korean restaurant has yet.

“I’ve been operating Kiwa Restaurant in Solaire since 2015 and there has been this growing demand from Filipino regulars wanting easier access to my authentic Korean food.” ~Dr. David Shim, CEO and owner of Kiwa Express

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Kiwa Express at Ayala Malls Manila Bay was led by (from left): France Eusebio, General Manager, Ayala Malls Group; Reyna Aguilar, Operations Manager, Kiwa Express; Dr. David Shim, CEO and Owner, Kiwa Express; Veronica Valdez, Operations Manager, Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Dr. Shim values the Kiwa Express experience for its "authenticity." His success is based on the authenticity of his food without hesitation.

Items selected by Dr. Shim are listed on the Kiwa Express menu as either chef's recommendations or Kiwa signature dishes. He explains that "Kiwa Galbitang, the Korean version of bulalo," is his personal recommendation for first-time diners. It will make you very happy, I promise you that. The hearty and filling beef stew is an excellent introduction to Korean cuisine. Slowly stewing beef short ribs in aromatics produces a clear, delicate broth that is a sensory delight. Also highly recommended by Dr. Shim is the must-try Kimchi Jjigae, a warming, spicy stew featuring their signature kimchi, Jap Chae, Shrimp Tempura, and Doenjang Jjigae.

“I’ve been operating Kiwa Restaurant in Solaire since 2015 and there has been this growing demand from Filipino regulars wanting easier access to my authentic Korean food. It is true-to-heart Korean food. Not fusion. Not localized. And we offer high-caliber and quality Korean cuisine at a very affordable price...the quality is identical to the food that they would sample from Kiwa in Solaire.” ~Dr. David Shim, CEO and owner of Kiwa Express

Portion sizes in Kiwa Express are priced according to individual servings. There are also family-sized options for diners who come in big groups. Packaged meal sets are offered to make ordering easier for customers.

Dr. Shim believes Korean food will continue to be popular among Filipinos.

“I observe food being served to the general public is too much of fast food and instant food. It is too salty, sweet, deep fried and harmful to your health.  Korean food offers a healthy alternative as it uses generous portions of vegetables. Kiwa Korean food, in particular, is not instant nor ready-made food, and always delivered via on-site preparation and cooking. I hope to provide healthier alternative for Filipino people for better well-being. This restaurant is our launch pad, the model on which new branches will be based. When this clicks, we already have other upcoming outlets." ~Dr. David Shim, CEO and owner of Kiwa Express

Kiwa Express in Ayala Malls Manila Bay is the first of many branches already in the works. 

A groupie with family and friends is made more memorable with the cute bear character of Kiwa Express at Ayala Malls Manila Bay

Kiwa Express is located at the 3rd floor, Building B, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Macapagal Boulevard corner Aseana Avenue, Paranaque City. For inquiries, guests can call (02) 7004 7472 or send a message via Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kiwaexpress/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089962269105).