Meet Jenn O’Neil | Food blogger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenn O’Neil and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenn, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
When I first moved to England in 2004, I read the Sunday London Times Magazine and there was an article from A.A. Gill, a restaurant critic. I really enjoyed his humor and wit in the article. I can’t remember the restaurant’s name he wrote about in London, but it did inspire me to check out the restaurant in Hyde Park.

In 2017 while I was living in England again, my husband said I should start a food blog since I kept taking pictures of what we were eating. I finally started Hangry Asian Girl on Instagram that November. I originally planned on writing my page to a similar wit and humor like A.A. Gill, but decided I wanted to keep it pithy and focus on bringing awareness to local/small restaurants.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love food and living in Cambridge, England I was able to explore so many different types of cuisines. What I think sets me apart from others is the types of food I’ll try. My mother is native Korean, so growing up she would cook Korean food constantly, from bulgogi to dakbal which is spicy chickens’ feet. Thanks to my upbringing I have no problem trying any sort of food! Starting the food blog was easy but to get where I’m at now it’s a lot more work since my audience has gotten so much bigger. One challenge I had was during the COVID lockdown last year. With restaurants not doing dine in, what was I going to do? Thankfully Chef Brother Luck in Colorado Springs started teaching online cooking classes. I was able to post about the classes and the food we made. It was an awesome way to learn cooking skills and be socially distanced but still stay involved in the food community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would start off with a tour around Colorado Springs when my best friend visits. The best place to start eating would be CO.A.T.I. It’s such a great spot with so many different places to eat. From the bulgogi fries at Anju to the tasting menu at Ephemera, you can’t miss when you eat there. The next spot to eat and drink would be Cerberus Brewing Company. The beer there is amazing and their beer slushies rotate most weekends and are fantastic on a hot day. The smoked brisket grilled cheese with a cup of cheddar ale soup pairs perfectly with the Elysium Hazy IPA. Next, while you’re in Colorado you’ve got to go for a drive in the mountains! I love Skyline Drive, outside Cañon City. The views are amazing! While passing through you have to pick up some juice from Di Nardo’s Cider Mill. My great grandfather used to work there and they have the best cherry cider. I’d also get lunch at Nirvana Culinary Paradise. That spot has been on my list for a while. After lunch I’d head down to Rye and walk around Bishop Castle, then head to Pueblo for dinner at El Nopal for a Mexican pizza with their green chili. It’s so good! I’ve been eating there since I was a little kid and it always brings back great memories. If there’s time I would head to Rosemount Museum. I love the Victorian era and the architecture of the mansion.

To top off the week we would head to Denver for a few days. You’ve got to start with breakfast at Sassafras, they have a great Bloody Mary. Next, head over to Cherry Creek Mall for some shopping and to walk off breakfast. For lunch, Seoul Mandoo in Aurora has amazing mando. Their giant dumplings are the best! A dinner in LoHi for Sushi Ronin would be a perfect end to the evening. The sushi there is phenomenal! The next day’s breakfast I’d head to HashTag to check off a spot off my list, I’m super excited to go there. Afterwards, we’d head over to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and top that off with Yuan Wonton food truck. They seriously have the best food truck in Denver. When you go you have to order one of everything! It’s a lot of food but it’s also great leftovers. What trip to Denver isn’t complete without a trip to H Mart. This Korean girl has to pick up her necessities since they have huge selection. They have a few choices on boba popsicles there that you can’t get in Colorado Springs.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
For years my husband kept suggesting I start a blog since I take so many pictures of what we were eating. If he didn’t encourage me to start Hangry Asian Girl it never would have happened. I should also add my son since he’s tagged along to several spots that were not keen to his palate. Another person that I need to thank is Sue Mikaelian for opening up F45 Colorado Springs University Village. Without it I wouldn’t have met some amazing people and have a great workout routine. This gym is a big reason why I can eat the amazing food around Colorado.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hangry.asian.girl/

Image Credits
All the photos were taken by me. 1. Cambridge Crepes 2 and 3. Mexican poutine and quesadilla from Huevones Elevated Mexican Cafe 4 and 5. Burrata and Cacio e pepe from Tavernetta 6. Smoked brisket grilled cheese w/ cheddar ale soup at Cerberus Brewing Co.