Based in Buenos Aires, Korean-American chef Christina Sunae brings Filipino food to Argentina through her Asian tapas restaurant, Apu Nena
Born in the US and raised in Angeles City, chef Christina Sunae was spoilt with the delicious riches of Pampanga, the region often lauded as the nation’s culinary capital. “I spent a big chunk of my childhood (my formative years) in the Philippines, and in my home, we ate Filipino food every day,” she recalls. “It was my home culture.”
Now based in Buenos Aires, Sunae helms Apu Nena, where she serves tapas Asiáticas or Asian tapas, including an array of Filipino dishes. In addition to opening a second location for the successful concept, she’s also kept busy travelling through Argentina on a promotional tour, celebrating the launch of her new book Kusinera Filipina. This coming June, the excursion will take her to Spain, too.
See also: Check Out Rockwell's Pampanga Food Festival in Angeles City This March 2022
Yes, the Kapampangan culinarian has certainly become one of the Filipino cuisines’ proudest champions beyond our tropical waters. What makes her tale even more intriguing is that, despite her fervent passion for Filipino food, Sunae isn’t actually Filipino—she’s Korean-American, though you’d never know it from the way she cooks. “My Filipino palette is what begins every recipe,” she explains. “I think about rounding out the flavour and always having a bit of acidity in my dishes.”
Her fondness for Filipino cuisines come alive as she reminisces about all the Philippine eats she craves while in Buenos Aires. Luckily for her (and luckily for us, too), Sunae plans to visit the Philippines later in the year to host special events at her restaurant, Sunae Asian Cantina.
Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming feast this August to September—until then, get to know the Filipino-at-heart and what she misses most about the Philippine dining scene, below.
See also: The Food Evangelists: Meet The People Promoting Filipino Cuisine Across The Globe
