Manila: A love story that began with simple everyday encounters has grown into a decade-long food business for Goldy Kumar, an Indian native from Punjab, and his Filipina wife Marissa Kumar, who have been serving authentic Indian street food along Manila’s UN Avenue since 2014.
Goldy, who has lived in the Philippines for more than two decades, first met Marissa through a series of ordinary interactions involving her family’s small lending business. What began as casual exchanges eventually blossomed into marriage and a shared entrepreneurial journey.
A marriage of two cultures
The couple’s home and business reflect a blend of Indian and Filipino traditions. Goldy, a Hindu who follows a vegetarian diet, has embraced life in the Philippines and speaks fluent Tagalog. He says the country has become his home, where his family, work and community are based.
While Goldy maintains the traditional Indian flavours of his cooking, his children also enjoy Filipino food, creating a household where the two cultures naturally come together.
Authentic Indian flavours in Manila
Their business, Goldy’s Indian Fresh Street Food, operates near a Sikh temple along UN Avenue and has become familiar to locals and members of Manila’s Indian community.
Pani puri remains one of their most popular offerings. Goldy prepares the puris from scratch and makes his own pani puri masala using ingredients such as toasted cumin seeds, potatoes, chickpeas, chaat masala and other spices.
Unlike some commercial versions, the couple focuses on traditional preparation and authentic flavours. Their stall has also expanded into catering and special events, particularly during gatherings of the local Indian community.
Food, family and community
For Goldy, moving from his previous lending business to the food industry brought a greater sense of satisfaction. What started as a small street-food stall has grown into a business built around family, hard work and cultural exchange.
Their story shows how food can become a bridge between communities, allowing people to experience another culture through familiar streets, shared meals and everyday human connections.
For customers seeking a taste of Punjab in Manila, Goldy and Marissa offer more than pani puri. Their stall serves a small but meaningful story of love, migration, family and two cultures coming together.