Written by Ava Hyland
Photos by Jamie Plain
What began as a craving for familiar flavors has become a small but meaningful addition to Owensboro’s food scene. Mangkok Filipino Food Truck, owned and operated by Jerome Hernandez and his wife, offers traditional Filipino dishes that are rarely found locally, providing both comfort food for fellow Filipinos and a new culinary experience for local residents.
Mangkok (meaning “bowl” in Filipino) opened in March 2025 after months of planning and years of conversation. Hernandez said the idea for the truck came from a simple need: his wife, pregnant at the time, wanted food that reminded her of home.
“One day my wife was pregnant and craving Filipino food,” Hernandez said. “We couldn’t find anything nearby, and when we finally did, they didn’t have what we wanted. That’s when we said ‘why not us?’”
At the time, there were no dedicated Filipino food businesses in Owensboro or surrounding areas. After that experience, Hernandez and his wife started talking seriously about starting something of their own — first as a long-term goal, and eventually as a real plan. They ordered the truck in late 2024 and hit the road in early March.
Hernandez has lived in Owensboro since 2007, having moved from the Philippines at age 19 to join his mother and stepfather already living in the U.S. He arrived speaking little English and took whatever jobs he could find.
Over the years, he gained experience working in local kitchens, including fast food and food service operations like Morrison’s, Taco Bell, and Burger King. He credits those jobs with helping him build the practical skills he would later need to run his own food business.
“I jumped around to different places,” he said. “That’s how I got my experience. But Filipino food, that’s home for us.”
The first test for Mangkok came at the Owensboro Multicultural Festival, where they offered a small menu of dishes to attendees. The response was immediate and encouraging.
“People kept coming up asking where they could find more,” Hernandez said. “Some asked if we had a restaurant. When we said no, they said, ‘You should.’ That really stuck with us.”
That interest turned into Mangkok, a food truck focused on traditional Filipino favorites such as pork skewers, pancit (stir-fried rice noodles with vegetables), pork adobo (a savory soy and vinegar stew), and lumpia (crispy Filipino-style spring rolls).
“The lumpia is a big hit,” Hernandez said. “People always ask for more. We’ve even had people drive in from Morgantown and other counties just to get it.”
While the truck’s space limits how much can be cooked and stored, Hernandez said he and his wife are already planning to expand the menu over time. For now, they’re focused on staying consistent and introducing locals to the core flavors of Filipino cooking.
“We want to bring more of the Filipino culture here — not just in Owensboro, but to the nearby counties, too,” he said. “There are a lot of Filipinos in the area, and many of them miss the food they grew up with.”
Mangkok also plays a role in a small but growing collaborative called Four Nations on Wheels, a group of four food trucks offering Filipino, Japanese, Mexican, and Southern American cuisines. The group travels together to festivals and special events in the region.
“We had this idea, why not team up?” Hernandez said. “You don’t have to go to four different places. It’s all right there. That’s something different we can offer together.”
When not on the road, Mangkok is typically parked by the Dollar Tree on West Parrish Avenue, a spot informally referred to by food truck operators as “Street Eats.” The location has become a semi-regular hub for food trucks in Owensboro, giving customers a chance to sample different cuisines in one area.
To stay updated on Mangkok’s weekly schedule and locations, customers can follow the truck on Facebook, where Hernandez posts their planned stops each Sunday.
“The truck gives us flexibility,” he said. “But one day, we’d love to have a restaurant. That’s part of the long-term goal.”
The other goal? Bringing more of Hernandez’s family to the U.S. and continuing to build a future rooted in both culture and opportunity.
“America really is the land of opportunity,” he said. “You just have to work. Work hard. And don’t forget where you come from.”
For now, Hernandez is focused on keeping things simple, serving food that tastes like home and creating connections through shared meals.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. “We’re learning, we’re growing, and we’re grateful for the support.” OL
