Today we’d like to introduce you to Don Balanay.
Don, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Pico Rivera, California (outside of East LA) spending much of my upbringing at Lola’s (Grandmother’s) in the Historic Filipino Town in Los Angeles. Born and raised from two immigrants, I realized quite early in life that struggle, making mistakes and then learning from them is key to personal growth. More importantly, I realized quite late in life how big community and family are.
Through my LA Filipino food, my wife Kelly and I believe we can bring something missing to the table and reconnect the healing only found at the family dining table – particularly our own upbringings. I wasn’t born in the Philippines, I don’t have the native tongue, and I’m not trying to be something I’m not. I’m aiming to remain authentic to me and my flavors attained throughout life.
I’m a medical school dropout that is now being as authentic to myself in doing what makes me happy and heals the soul in my own way – my food.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s always a bumpy road when you’re managing your job, family, and relationships. Finding the time to really cultivate the Bunso I’m proud to showcase takes time and energy, it’s not something you can marinate for long periods of time and come back to when you’re ready to rock and roll.
There’s one instance that definitely resonates here with this question that happened last year. On the way home on a Saturday evening after vendoring at the 626 Night Market, I was hit by a drunk driver. Luckily, I had only minor injuries and my wife was not hurt. What makes it difficult was that the very next day, we had another day of service. It would’ve been easy to just move on and forgo the 3rd day but in my heart of hearts, I was having the most fun I’ve had in a while at the 626 Night Market. Going against those I love, I continued on that journey and finished off the weekend strong.
It’s times like that mentioned above where I don’t think there is such a thing as a smooth road throughout all our lives. It’s about how we move forward from those hurdles and, if we fall, how much time and effort we’re willing to sacrifice to make sure we jump the next hurdle on the next adventure.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Bunso – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Bunso (“boon – so”) is Tagalog (one of many native languages in the Philippines) for the Youngest in the Family. Bunso aims to bring Filipino Food to new heights meshing the traditions I’ve grown up on with a phat boy’s LA Influence. We focus on the quality of food and take it easy, designing every menu to be inviting and tasty.
Our food is a phat kid’s dream. We break the rules wherever we can bending traditional flavors with American/Californian tendencies. If you want something different, something exciting, something that takes young eyes to create… you’ll find it with us.
I am the Chef and Owner of Bunso and we specialize in our Sisig, Adobo, BBQ, Lumpia, and Pan de Sal sandwiches. We’re known throughout LA for our evolving Lumpia menu where we take dishes like Carne Asada and Al Pastor and fuse it into a lumpia to create something exciting.
It makes me especially proud to be able to create these untraditional dishes that fuse my upbringing in LA with what my family would have on the table without breaking the essence of either side. We’re able to mesh street food and fine dining at our whim and are very adaptable to any situation put before us. Our fearlessness to try new things and break the rules while maintaining the lifeblood of our ancestors set us leaps and bounds apart from our beloved colleagues.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
2020 has thrown a wrench into everyone’s plans, especially in this industry. Our plans for 2021 include a new pop-up menu that is currently being finalized as you’re reading this as well as an expansion to other media outlets like podcasting, blogging, and merchandise.
We’re hoping to maintain our pace of creating new things without forcing any changes and to continue going with the flow that’s brought us success and happiness for ourselves and those we’ve had the privilege of serving.
Contact Info:
- Website: bunso.org
- Phone: 562-639-2955
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/bunsodotorg
Image Credit:
Beatriz Pilar (@buhnbee) for the Pink and Black Bunso KAIN NA art work. Lokel’s Only (@lokels.only) for all others.
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