Korean Comfort and New York Excellence
Inside Scratch, Nolita Joe’s, and Big Mama Hof’s Korean-American Comfort Food Collaboration.
Words Mian Centeno
Photos courtesy of Big Mama Hof and Scratch
June 08, 2026
What happens when your favorite smash burger gets a K-tastic twist?
Along the streets of Poblacion, Makati, Scratch x Nolita Joe’s and Big Mama Hof have joined forces for an exclusive, limited-edition menu designed to satisfy Korean comfort food cravings.
Featuring upgraded smash burgers, pizza, fries, and chicken wings, the collaboration delivers a fusion of umami-rich, cheesy, sweet, and savory flavors infused with authentic Korean influences.
Exclusively available from May 28 to 31 only at Big Mama Hof, the special lineup includes the K-Town Smash, Corn Cheese Twister Fries, Bacon Kim-Cheese Pizza, Buffalo Yangnyeom Boneless Chicken, and Buffalo Yangnyeom Chicken Wings.
“It’s a really fun menu, and it’s not something we do often. It has exciting flavors, but it’s still very comforting in a comfort-food kind of way,” shared Scratch Head Chef Mikko Reyes.
A Vision Takes Shape
The K-Town Smash serves as the first featured burger in Scratch’s upcoming “Burger of the Month Series,” a project born from the restaurant’s commitment to recreating some of New York City’s most beloved burgers.
The burger features double smash patties, cheddar cheese, a special sauce made with Big Mama Hof’s kimchi, perilla leaves, soy-glazed bacon, and Scratch’s signature potato bun.
The concept draws inspiration from Nowon, a Korean-American restaurant in New York City, which sparked the idea of reuniting with Big Mama Hof to create a menu that blends Korean flavors with New York-inspired cooking.
“When we shared the idea of incorporating Korean flavors into their New York-style pizza, wings, and pasta, it became a fun and seamless collaboration. They’re easy to work with,” said Angelo Alvendia of Big Mama Hof.
Partners in Food
This is not the first collaboration between the three brands.
Last October 2025, they partnered on another limited-edition menu that quickly became a customer favorite.
“Our customers really enjoyed the combination of Korean fusion and New York-style food,” Alvendia explained.
“Because of that demand, we started talking about making Scratch burgers. This time, we have smash burgers and twister fries with Scratch, while also bringing back favorites from last October, including the Bacon Kim-Cheese Pizza and the Buffalo Yangnyeom Wings and Boneless Chicken,” she added.
More than a business partnership, the collaboration reflects a shared desire to elevate familiar comfort food while celebrating the creativity that comes from working together. It also highlights the strong relationship among the teams behind the restaurants—united by good food, collaboration, and a sense of fun.
As Mike “Mooks” Medina put it: “The goal of this whole event is really to have fun. To take two amazing restaurants, put them together, and have a baby. That was pretty much the goal. For us, it doesn’t feel like work. This is fun.”
