A community haven for authentic Filipino food and groceries in Cherrydale has been renovated with an expanded focus under new ownership.
Philippine Oriental Market & Deli, aka POM, is now POM and More.
In this case, “more” means more flavors, more cuisines, longer hours and a revamped storefront under the ownership of Cherry Phatjareesakul and Ann Ningcharoen — all with the blessing of the now-retired former owners.
“Every day, we have some Thai food. Sometimes we cook some Chinese because we are from a Thai Chinese family,” Phatjareesakul told ARLnow. “I know how to make sushi and I can make some Vietnamese food. I can make all kinds of Asian food. That’s why we put ‘and More.'”
New additions include Thai curries, pad Thai and more varieties of empanadas. The new owners are also considering the addition of some spicy dishes.
The business at 3610 Langston Blvd has catered to a crowd of loyal regulars since 1978, when Philippines native and accomplished master chef Evelyn Bunoan purchased it with her husband Oscar Bunoan.
The couple eventually added a miniature restaurant inside, where they worked as chef and sous-chef cooking recipes like beef picadillo, chicken sisig and chop suey. During her time there, Evelyn Bunoan released a cookbook, “Cooking with Master Chef Evelyn S. Bunoan,” and established the Cancer Help Eat Well (CHEW) Foundation, which seeks to help cancer patients and their caregivers maintain healthier diets.
Then, after over 46 years in business, the couple retired in May.
“We sold our business to Cherry and Ann, two lovely and enthusiastic Thai ladies who are eager and excited to serve you, and are raring to continue on with the tradition you have been accustomed to through the years… good quality food and healthy home-cooked Filipino dishes,” they wrote in a message to the community.
Friends for about 20 years, Phatjareesakul and Ningcharoen were POM regulars. Evelyn Bunoan worked with the two women for several weeks before handing off the business, teaching them how to make dishes like pancit noodles.
Phatjareesakul said she hopes to live up to the previous owners’ kindness and commitment to delicious food at reasonable prices.
“When I come to Evelyn’s, I feel good when I see her customers. They’re happy with what she makes for them. It fulfills my heart,” she said. “Sometimes it’s not a good day for the customer, but when we give a smile and treat them good, the day is better.”
The new owners carried out renovations throughout the month of June, with work taking place on Sundays to avoid disturbing customers and sometimes going late into the night. They repainted, updated the lighting fixtures and added flowers outside, among other changes. In the market aisles, the pair added Japanese and Thai groceries alongside POM’s usual Filipino goods.
Phatjareesakul and Ningcharoen also remain committed to supporting the Bunoans’ CHEW Foundation through sales of Evelyn’s cookbook.
The market officially reopened as POM and More on July 1. Phatjareesakul and Ningcharoen received a warm welcome, with customers bringing flowers, placing orders for catering and leaving positive reviews online.
“We have regular customers that come back every week,” Phatjareesakul said. “We have at least 20.”
With extended hours, the new market is open every day except Wednesday, from 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., and hot food is available from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
“I am confident that Cherry and Ann will be a great and welcomed addition to your culinary experience,” Evelyn Bunoan wrote. “Please give them your unwavering support — you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
