Our DIY Binondo Food Trip: Where to Eat & Tips
Charmaine Acha Charmaine loves random weekend trips, technology and coffee. Guided by her travel mantra "chill and travel", she enjoys unplanned escapades without compromising leisure. Her free hours are spent reading a book, watching movies or thinking about her next possible adventure.
After seeing the replica of Binondo at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan, I thought I should check out the REAL Binondo in Manila and compare the two. But of course, this is not the main reason why I wanted to explore the famous Chinatown of Manila -- it’s all about the FOOD! Dim sum food to be exact!
I initially wanted to join the highly raved Binondo Food Wok of Old Manila Walks, a guided tour which takes you to the interesting alleys of Binondo while sampling some all-time favourite Chinoy food from different restaurants and eateries. However, after discussing with BF and his childhood friend, we decided to go on our own as we wanted to stroll around at our own leisure.
So here, for those who are planning to go on a DIY Binondo food trip, you might want to follow our trail.
Lunch: Wai Ying Fastfood
This was basically everything we had for lunch at Wai Ying Fastfood and we paid around ₱600 good for 3 persons already. The restaurant is quite small but we were satisfied with our dimsum feast given the price.
It’s a bit tricky to locate the place so here’s what the store looks like from the outside:
Must try: Congee, Dimsum, Asado, Hakaw, Noodles
Address: 810 Benavidez St, Binondo, Manila
Chill out: Café Mezzanine
After the heavy lunch, we chilled out at the highly raved Café Mezzanine to have our coffee fix. Aside from its apparent theme, I learned that the cafe donates its revenue to the Binondo Paco Fire Search and Rescue Brigade, and the owner is an active member of the Chinese firemen volunteer association, thus the moniker, Fireman's Coffee Shop.
Must try: Of course their coffee, Xiao Long Bao, Kiampong, Pork Machang, Go Kong Soup
Address: Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila
Food items / Pasalubong: Eng Bee Tin
This Eng Bee Tin branch is just below Café Mezzanine so you might want to shop for goodies while you’re there.
Here’s what we bought:
Must buy: Hopia, Mochipia, Tikoy
Address: 628 Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila
Snacks: New Po-Heng Lumpia House
As I was still quite full, I did not buy a piece of fresh lumpia from New Po-Heng Lumpia House anymore. I just tasted a bit from BF’s piece, and to be honest, I’m not a fan of peanuts so I did not quite like it. Later, I learned from a colleague that you can ask them not to put peanuts. Maybe I’ll try it without peanuts next time.
Must try: Fresh Lumpia
Address: 531 Quintin Paredes St, Bgy 289, Zone 027 Binondo, Manila
Dinner: Tasty Dumplings
By dinner time, BF and his friend were still full after the fresh lumpia tasting. So, it was my time to munch on the must-try dumplings of Tasty Dumplings. We initially wanted to try the ones at Dong Bei Dumplings but the store was already full of diners.
Anyway, here’s what I ordered at Tasty Dumplings:
Must try: Dumpling Rice, Pork Chop Rice
Address 1: 641 Norberto Ty (formerly Condesa) St, Binondo, Manila
Address 2: Masangkay St, Binondo, Manila
Dessert: Lord Stow's Bakery
This is the last leg of our food trip! We passed by Lord Stow’s Bakery and decided to get inside the store to try their famous egg tarts. We wanted to compare the quality from the ones we tried in Macau. And I can say that I still like the ones in Macau maybe because they were still hot and freshly baked when we bought them. The egg tarts from this Binondo branch are still worth a try, though!
Must try: Egg tarts
Address: 707 Ongpin Street, Binondo, Manila
More recommended places to go
Due to time constraints, we failed to hit up some more recommended eateries and restaurants. We’ll probably do a Part 2 of this Binondo food trip. But if you do have plenty of time, feel free to visit these places too:
PS. They are arranged according to proximity from one another to make it easier for you.
1. Polland
Must buy: Hopia
Address: 209 Escolta St, Binondo, Manila, 1006 Metro Manila
2. Ying Ying Tea House
Must try: Dimsum, Noodles, Congee, Taro Puff, Asado, Lechon Kawali, Fried Dumplings, Yang Chow Fried Rice, Salt and Pepper Squid, Braised Frog Legs
Address: 233-235 Dasmarinas St cor Yuchengo St Binondo, Manila
3. Sincerity
Must try: Buttered Fried Chicken, Oyster Cake, Pata Tim
Address 1: 497 Yuchengco St, Binondo, Manila, 1006 Metro Manila
Address 2: Ground Floor, Lucky Chinatown, Soler Street, Manila, 1006 Metro Manila
4. Ho-land Hopia and Bakery
Must try: Radish Cake, Hopia Mongo (Wax Gourd Cake), Tikoy, Machang
Address: 551 Yuchengco St, Binondo, Manila, 1006 Metro Manila
5. Quik Snack
Must try: Lumpia Fried, Kuchay Ah, Beef Mi Guisado with Sate
Address: Carvajal St, Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila
6. Dong Bei Dumpling
Must try: Dumplings
Address: 642 Yuchengco St, Binondo, Manila
7. La Resureccion Fabrica de Chocolate
Must try: Tablea Chocolate
Address: 654 Yuchengco Street, Binondo, City of Manila, Metro Manila 1006
8. President Grand Palace Restaurant
Must try: Peking Duck in Three Ways, Custard Milk Pao, Frog , Salt & Chili Crab
Address: Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila, 1006 Metro Manila
9. Shin Ton Yon
Must try: Roasted Pork (Asado), Pata de Hamon and Pork Floss
Address: 825 Salazar Street, Binondo, Manila City, Metro Manila
10. Maki Place by Mañosa
Must try: Pork Makimi, Jumbo Siomai
Address: 808 Benavidez Street, Corner Salazar Street, Binondo, Manila
11. Masuki
Must try: Noodles, Siomai
Address: 931 Benavidez Street, City of Manila, 931 Benavidez St, Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila
12. Country Chicken House (for take out only)
Must buy: Roast Chicken and Barbeque
Address 1: 815 Benavidez St, Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila
Address 2: 1329 Guillermo Masangkay Streettondo, Metro Manila, Calle Magdalena, Tondo, Manila, Metro Manila
Tips
Binondo Church | Image credit: feryswheel
Traffic is terrible during the BER months so I don’t recommend that you drive your own car or take a taxi. Use public transport instead. See “how to get there” below.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes because you’ll be walking most of the time.
Prepare umbrellas too as the weather is unpredictable especially during the rainy season.
For those with sensitive skin, I recommend you wear sunblock.
Bring your own bottled water to hydrate yourself as you walk your way around the area.
Don’t flash your gadgets around. Always be wary of possible pickpockets and snatchers.
Although Google maps will come in handy, I still recommend that you write or print the trail and restaurant address on a piece of paper instead of using your smartphones.
How to get there
I suggest you take the public transport and walk your way to Binondo to avoid being stuck in traffic. Here’s how to get there through various means:
By train
From any part of EDSA, take a train to Taft Station. Walk towards the LRT1 station and take a train to Carriedo station. Exit the station. Turn left at Rizal Avenue and walk past Sta. Cruz church towards Bustos Street. Turn Left at Bustos Street and walk about 1 block until you reach Ongpin Street.
From any part of EDSA, take a train to Taft Station. Walk towards the LRT1 station and take a train to UN station. From LRT 1 UN Station, ride a jeepney going to Divisoria and get off at Binondo Church. Walk towards Ongpin Street
By bus
From Buendia - Taft, take a bus going to Lawton. Get off at the Philippine Post office. Ride a jeepney going to Divisoria and get off at Binondo Church. Walk towards Ongpin Street.
By FX / jeepney
From Taft Avenue, ride an FX or jeepney going to Divisoria and get off at Binondo Church. Walk towards Ongpin Street.
Special thanks to Dianne Tan for additional photos and recommendations.