There’s just something great about knowing how restaurants in Baguio City actually make their way to the City of Pines. One would think it is done purely out of business. But having a sit down with husband and wife Hansel David Co and Hollan Co of King Chef Dimsum Kitchen Baguio changes this idea and separates them from just another business establishment in Baguio. Here’s their story.
How King Chef Dimsum Kitchen made its way to Baguio City, A love story
Hansel Co was born and raised in Baguio. He and his family run a business in the city. Hansel studied in Manila and that is where he met Hollan. When Hansel graduated, he stayed in Baguio to help the family business. But because of love, he took time to visit Hollan in Manila.
Whenever he would visit, he and Hollan would always look for a place to eat. And usually, this would be around 10 or 11 p.m. Hollan would always think of King chef in Banawe Street, Quezon City because one, it’s opened at that time of the night and two, she knows for sure they still serve hot congee, freshly steamed dimsum, and more. The perfect comfort food! Since then, they’ve become regulars.
King Chef Dimsum Kitchen Baguio
Hansel and Hollan eventually got married. They both decided to build their life together in Baguio. The couple then decided to put up a hotel and with it a business they weren’t really that familiar with — food. As they were thinking of who to partner with when it comes to the restaurant for their hotel, they knew it had to be a place that made food they love and food that Baguio people would love as well. That’s when they thought of King Chef.
Why not bring a place they love so much to a city they both love so much? It was an option that Hansel had to pursue and something that had to happen. Hansel then tracked down the owners of King Chef Seafood Restaurant in Manila, Marites and Mike Ang. It took awhile, but when Marites and Mike knew that King Chef would be in a city that is also close to their heart, they decided to partner with Hansel and Hollan. Thanks to their love for the city, King Chef Dimsum Kitchen is now one of the restaurants of the soon-to-open hotel in Baguio. This, together with The Orchard Hotel Baguio, is owned by the family corporation and is managed by Mark Philip Malicdem.
King Chef Dimsum Kitchen at The Orchard Hotel Baguio
King Chef Dimsum Kitchen at The Orchard Hotel Baguio opened only in October but it already has a growing following on Facebook. The place is full most especially during the promo period from 2 pm – 5 pm. Baguio people and of course the Chinese community can be seen dining in here regularly. This just proves that King Chef serves legit Chinese dimsum and legit Chinese food.
When asked further why Hansel and Hollan wanted King Chef in Baguio, Hansel mentioned he wanted to bring quality food Baguio people can enjoy because Baguio people deserve delicious food. He also says that serving good food during the evening when almost all other establishments are closed is something that he would like to do for the people of Baguio.
King Chef Dimsum Kitchen Baguio is just over a month old. It is housed at The Orchard Hotel Baguio in Legarda Road which is also owned by Mr. and Mrs. Co. The Pilipinas Popcorn and 96.7 K-Lite FM crew were able to visit them a few weeks after they opened. Check out a full review here.
If you’re looking for honest-to-goodness delicious dimsum, visit King Chef Dimsum Kitchen in Baguio City. They offer a wide variety of steamed and fried dimsum. They also serve noodles and soup, rice toppings, noodles and rice, congee, and of course, drinks and desserts. They also have a category called “Beyond Dimsum” where they serve more varieties like vegetables in garlic, King’s style fried chicken, sizzling beef Chinese style and more.
Visit King Chef Dimsum Kitchen at The Orchard Hotel Baguio at 49 Leagrda Road, Baguio City from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.