binondo food trip dessert

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Trying One Of The Newest Dessert Cafe In Binondo

It had been 4 years since my last Binondo Food Trip where I enjoyed a quick merienda trip. Eager to revisit this gastronomic haven, we decided to book a hotel to enjoy a two-day Binondo Food Trip.

Lonely Owl is one of the most recommended and newest dessert cafes in Binondo. Lonely Owl is known for its aesthetic drinks and ambiance. They use premium tea leaves and fresh farm milk for their milk tea. Aside from bubble teas, they also offer desserts including Icy Grass Jelly  desserts, and  Lonely Owl Snow Series.

Enticed by their online menu, I decided to include Lonely Owl in our Binondo food itinerary.

Lonely Nights Rolls

My chocolate-loving palate was drawn to the  Lonely Night Rolls that I saw while browsing their social media account.

The presentation of the crepe differed significantly from the photos they posted online and the photos posted in their store. Despite the disappointment, I was thrilled to finally indulge in these chocolate crepe rolls.

This Lonely Night Rolls has dark chocolate, rolled crepes, chocolate chips. and chocolate syrup (possibly a chocolate liquor). It was bitter and sweet but lacked a bit of balance for us. It was okay but this is not something I would really recommend even to fellow chocolate lovers.

Price:  Php 195 Table for: 1 Food Rating: 3/5

I was also eyeing their Golden Mango Cloud Crepe  but it  was unavailable during our visit.

Lonely Owl Malt-Chi Fruits Icy Grass Jelly

A fruity snow dessert.

Despite its promising appearance as a fruity snow dessert, it failed to impress our taste buds. The combination of flavors fell short of our expectation s.

Also, when we asked for more spoons since we were sharing this, they told us that they could only give us one and gave us a fruit fork instead. Using the fruit fork was a challenge because of its icy consistency. Overall, we couldn’t fully enjoy this particular offering.

For the drinks, they have quite a variety which makes it a bit hard to choose especially if you’re a first-timer here. They have a variety of options from Fresh Fruits Floral Tea, Pink Salt & Cheese Cloud Series (PSCC), Tea Latte Series, Golden Mango Series, Fresh Taro Cocomilk Series, and Lonely Owl Afternoon Tea.

Lonely Owl Fruit Tea

This Lonely Owl Fruit Tea is one of their bestsellers and also one of the most aesthetic drinks that you can see in Binondo. It was made with different fruits and tastes refreshing!

Price:  Php 145 Table for:  1 Food Rating: 4/5

Golden Summer Slush with Sago

For me, this is yet another refreshing fruit tea.

The drink has a delicate floral and sweet taste. My friends initially find its floral taste a bit weird but the flavor gradually grew on them as they continued sipping the drink. As a tea aficionado, I found the floral infusion quite appealing.

Price:  Php 165 Table for:  1 Food Rating: 4/5

Watermelon Coco Milk Slush with Pink Salted Cheese Cloud

Another one of  Lonely Owl’s  bestsellers.

Another drink with subtle floral notes. While my tea-loving palate appreciated the fragrant infusion, my friends yet again, find it a bit weird at first but the flavor gradually grew on them. Since I am not a fan of coconut milk in drinks, I did not quite enjoy this drink.

Price:  Php 165 Table for:  1 Food Rating: 3.5/5

Overall Rating

Lonely Owl  boasts a charming ambiance that beckons visitors to unwind and indulge in their delectable offerings. However, its popularity can lead to overcrowding, especially during weekends, making it challenging to fully immerse oneself in the cafe’s tranquil atmosphere. The limited space can make it difficult to accommodate large groups, so be prepared to take your drinks to go if necessary.

While the desserts didn’t particularly captivate our taste buds, the extensive selection of drinks proved to be a delightful surprise. For tea enthusiasts, the Fresh Fruits Floral Tea is a must-try. Its refreshing taste and subtle floral aroma will leave you craving more.

The cafe’s unique menu options and attentive staff, who patiently explain their offerings, deserve praise. However, we hope they reconsider their policy of providing only one spoon for snow desserts, which can make sharing a challenge.

Ambiance: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Value for Money: 3.5/5 Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Overall, Lonely Owl offers a unique experience that appeals to those seeking a taste of unconventional beverages and a cozy atmosphere. However, be prepared for weekend crowds and limited seating if you plan to dine in.

📍 Lucky Chinatown Mall Lachambre Manila, Philippines 🕓 9:00 am to 9:00 pm 📨 Lonely Owl·龍鳥 📞 0956 625 6999

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Disclaimer: This blog post is based solely on my personal experience and is not sponsored. All opinions, reviews, and recommendations are genuine and unbiased.

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Thank you for sharing honest review , hndi pa ako nka try dito . Pero will try kapag nka pasyal ng binondo .

Ang sasarap naman neto and yung drinks so refreshing!

Yummy nakakatakam naman yan perfect sa mainit na panahon🤤

Ohhh woww Yummy Dessert and drinks Daming Choices din

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Binondo Food Trip 2024 Guide: Where and What to Eat

12. Lan Zhou La Mien

11. the great buddha cafe, 10. tasty dumplings, 9. chuan kee binondo and cafe mezzanine, 7. new po heng lumpia house, 6. dong bei dumplings, 5. president grand palace, 4. quik snack, 3. sincerity cafe and restaurant, 2. wai ying binondo, 1. ying ying tea house.

Photos by Sincerity Cafe and Restaurant and   @bors.jd on Instagram

Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world, is one of the most visited towns in the Philippine capital city of Manila for a cultural and gastronomic experience. In fact, a Binondo tour is one of the popular day tours near Manila aside from a Manila bike tour , historical places in Manila tours , or instagrammable places in Manila tours .

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You can spot both well-known tea houses/restaurants and hawker-style stalls in the streets of Binondo. Aside from the well-known Chinese staple delicacies amidst historical places in Manila , there are also restaurants serving international and Filipino cuisine .

Whatever Binondo food trip budget or preference you have, you will never run out of options for guided tours in the Philippines

Here are the top 12 Binondo restaurants and food establishments that remained relevant throughout the years, perfect for a Binondo food crawl during your vacation in the Philippines :

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Photo by Lan Zhou La Mien

Lan Zhou La Mien is known for Lanzhou-style noodles that you can cut into smaller strands are their specialty among other Chinese dishes. While in here, make sure to try their hand-pulled lamien noodles. These long strands of noodles may be made by extending a lump of dough at arm's length and folding it over and over again.

Two to three people can already have one bowl of noodles, which includes stems and soft slices of your choice of meat. The broth can be refilled as well if you want more of it.

Address:  1356 Masangkay St, Binondo and Lucky Chinatown Mall

Photo by The Great Buddha Cafe

The Great Buddha Cafe is a homey Chinese restaurant/ The 1.2-ton golden buddha at the Great Buddha Cafe, located on the second level of Eng Bee Tin's flagship shop, symbolizes happiness and satisfaction. Its violet and gold interiors are similar to Eng Bee Tin and its sister restaurant, Cafe Mezzanine.

The most popular dishes in their six main categories include beef tendon, clay pot rice, pork & shrimp siomai, shrimp hakaw, xiao long bao, ham sui kok, and many others.

Address:  2F UBE Tower, 628 Ongpin St, Binondo

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Photo by @mrvcnon on Instagram

Get your dumpling fix at Tasty Dumplings. This 2-floor restaurant is known for its delectable dim sum servings. Prices are reasonable for various dim sum options — steamed, fried; name it, they have it.

Aside from their tasty dumplings, try their top-selling fried pork chop, fried meatball rice, spare ribs rice, chicken leg rice, and other rice plates. The restaurant also sells soup such as dumpling soup and meatball soup.

Address:  Wellington Building, Norberto Ty St, Binondo

Photo by Chuan Kee Binondo

Chuan Kee Binondo first opened its doors more than 70 years ago. Considered the oldest fast food in Chinatown, this restaurant serves authentic and freshly-made Chinese food in turo-turo style. Beside it is the famous hopia shop Eng Bee Tin, and on the second floor lies Cafe Mezzanine , an upscale Binondo restaurant serving delectable dishes.

If you’re eating at Chuan Kee Binondo, give their dim sum specials a try. This includes xiao long bao, shrimp hakaw, and pork dumplings. If you’re feeling adventurous, try their unique Soup No. 5 or their famous kiampong and gokong. They also offer rice toppings like beef tendon and steamed chicken.

On the other hand, Cafe Mezzanine offers an extensive menu featuring dim sum dishes like xiao long bao, shrimp dumpling, and lava pao. They also have main entrees such as beef broccoli and chop suey.

Address:  650 Ongpin St, Binondo

• Burn off all those dumplings and noodles with a  bamboo bike tour in Intramuros
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8. Masuki

Photo by Masuki

Masuki, a "younger" version of the mami pioneer Ma Mon Luk, serves old-time favorites and adds a variety of proteins to their mami. Masuki's simple set-up is very similar to how Ma Mon Luk used to look, with wooden chairs, white tables, and glass-paneled shelves that hold the mami bowls. The strong smell of its broth makes a satisfying eating experience.

Make sure to try their best-selling fresh, original mami. Other mami flavors in Masuki include chicken, Asado, beef, and wonton. They also sell different siopao and siomai, perfect for a quick dim sum fix.

Address:  31 Benavidez St, Binondo

Photo by New Po Heng Lumpia House

The lumpia filling in New Po Heng Lumpia House makes up for the difficulty of finding this not-so-secret hideaway. The Uy Su Bin Building is a pink Art-Deco structure with a tiny Roman fountain that features this family-owned eatery. Since it is an al-fresco canteen, you can dine outdoors without being surrounded by Binondo's traffic and chaos.

Photo by Department of Tourism

Based on the food establishment’s name, their best-selling dish is lumpia. You can also try their other famous dishes such as kiampong, pork maki, fish maki, misua soup, and misua guisado. They also sell frozen lumpia if you prefer to take some home with you.

Address:  621, 1006 Carvajal St, Binondo

Photo by Dong Bei Dumplings

When it comes to Dong Bei Dumplings, less is more. It contains a dumpling counter, an eating area, and a kitchen all in one little space. Watching quick hands wrap flat dough over pork filling is entertaining, but it's also a labor of love. Dim sum is also quite affordable, making it a go-to place to satisfy your cravings.

They are known for their variety of dumplings, including pork dumplings, kuchay dumplings, cabbage dumplings, and shrimp dumplings. Other delectable dishes in Dong Bei include xiao long bao, pancake, beef noodle, and soybean sauce noodle.

Address:  642 Yuchengco St, Binondo

Photo by President Grand Palace

Serving Chinese and seafood cuisine, President Grand Palace Restaurant was first established in 1979. This classic restaurant in Ongpin St. opened as an authentic Chinese food establishment that has since been popular with visitors and residents alike, especially those looking for stops to include in their Ongpin food trip.

As one of Manila's most iconic eateries for more than four decades, this restaurant is easy to adore because of its genuine Cantonese food. After all, the delicate, refreshing, and genuine taste of Cantonese food makes it one of China's best regional cuisines.

When dining at President Grand Palace, try their shark’s fin dishes, bird’s nest dishes, pigeon dishes, duck dishes, scallop and oyster dishes, fish dishes, crab and prawn dishes, beef dishes, pork dishes, chicken dishes, vegetable dishes, soups and noodles, and cold cuts.

Address:  746-750 Ongpin St, Binondo

Photo by Quik Snack

Located in the middle of Carvajal Street, which has a long stretch of stalls that are also worth seeing, Quick Snack has been a favorite since 1968. Homecooking made to perfection; their classic comfort foods have super-rich flavors perfect for a delectable trip.

Since this is near dine-in restaurants like Sincerity, it is recommended to order something light. Choose one of their stir-fried noodles like miki bihon guisado and beef guisado. Try one of their noodle soups like their lomi and duck misua. If you prefer vegetarian noodles, you may try their veggie misua guisado or veggie bihon soup.

Address:  Carvajal St, Binondo

Photo by Sincerity Cafe and Restaurant

Fried chicken might seem like an out-of-place concept in Binondo, but at Sincerity Cafe and Restaurant , you can't go wrong with their version of oriental chicken. This well-known restaurant also sells a variety of Chinese cuisine to satisfy your cravings.

There are tables on both restaurant levels, but try to secure one on the ground floor for faster service if you can. If you can, try their best-selling Sincerity fried chicken. They also have other chicken flavors, which include curry and honey.

Other must-tries are their fried oyster cake, shrimp omelet, and adobo frog. They also offer delectable soups like duck misua soup, yuchitikwa misua soup, crab corn soup, and more. Try their machang, kikiam, and fresh lumpia if you want some light snacks.

Address:  519 Quintin Paredes St. Binondo

Photo by Wai Ying Binondo

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly dim sum in Binondo, it may be enjoyed at a reasonable price at Wai Ying . Their two-story branch at Benavidez Street often has a long queue, but its classy interiors and delicious food make the wait worthwhile. Plus, the service is quick and attentive, so you won't have to wait long for your further orders. They also have other branches in Binondo if the main branch is full. 

At Wai Ying, it is highly recommended to try their best-sellers such as beef mami, mixed meat congee, curry beef brisket rice, honey baked rib rice, roasted duck rice, broccoli flower with oyster sauce, hakaw, siomai, steamed spareribs, chicken taro roll, vegetable dumpling, roast Peking duck, roasted suckling pig, fried-style noodles, lemon chicken, fish fillet, and more.

Address: Multiple branches

Photo by @bors.jd on Instagram

Hailed as one of the classics in Binondo, you can't miss this well-known tea house called Ying Ying Tea House at the corner of Yuchengco Street. This three-story restaurant gets very busy during weekends, holidays, and peak hours, regardless of its three floors. Despite the long lines, the food service is very good, and you will be accommodated properly.

With an extensive menu, make sure to try their bestsellers like Hakao, which is a traditional kind of Chinese dumpling. You can also try their other pork, beef, chicken, vegetable, and dim sum dishes such as pork shrimp siomai, sweet and sour fish fillet, chicken feet, and more.

Address:  233-235 Yuchengco St, Binondo

Have a Great Binondo Food Crawl

Whether you plan to spend here your Chinese New Year, are looking for unique vacation packages for couples , or just have a fun time in Binondo, you are bound to have a great experience as the majority of restaurants in Manila 's Binondo district are open all year round. No need to look further on what day tour or where to go near Manila . Most of the food establishments are near each other, with some located on the same street or near the best hotels in Manila and  quarantine hotels in Manila , making your Binondo food trip worth your time and money.

Get in touch with culture through food when you tour the Philippines by joining a Manila Chinatown food tour. Take note that you can DIY or go on a travel booking website  like Guide to the Philippines for your online trip booking . Learn about the oldest Chinatown in the world and get a taste of tradition. You can include this in your Philippine honeymoon package or date ideas in Manila itinerary.

Visit other Manila tourist spots and have a roadtrip near Manila , appreciate various museums in Manila , lounge at beaches near Manila , stay at Philippine luxury resorts, 5 star hotels in the Philippines , or affordable resorts near Manila , to get the full Philippines experience. You can also extend your stay by going on a Manila staycation . Don’t forget to follow the safety protocols to have a safe Binondo food crawl adventure and read our Manila travel guide .

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ABOUT BINONDO

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Lucky chinatown.

🍢 Shabu-shabu at Lucky Chinatown GUIDE MAP (soon) 👉 bit.ly/BinondoFoodtrip FOLLOW MY FOODVENTURES 👉... Posted by It's More Fun With JUAN on  Monday, May 25, 2020

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New Po Heng Lumpia House

🌯 New Po Heng Lumpia House GUIDE MAP (soon) 👉 bit.ly/BinondoFoodtrip FOLLOW MY FOODVENTURES 👉... Posted by It's More Fun With JUAN on  Monday, May 25, 2020

Cafe Mezzanine

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OTHER ATTRACTIONS TO SEE IN MANILA 

Eng bee tin chinese deli.

Of course, I mustn't miss to take home a moon cake from here. 🥮 GUIDE MAP (soon) 👉 bit.ly/BinondoFoodtrip FOLLOW ME 👉... Posted by It's More Fun With JUAN on  Monday, May 25, 2020

The Great Buddha Cafe (2nd level) They are also constructing a museum at 3rd level. GUIDE MAP (soon) 👉... Posted by It's More Fun With JUAN on  Monday, May 25, 2020

Estero Fastfood

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LIST OF RESTAURANTS / FOOD PLACES IN BINONDO

• 🍢 Shabu-shabu at Lucky Chinatown
• 🧇 Whil's Wheel Cake
• 🌯 New Po Heng Lumpia House
• ☕ Cafe Mezzanine
• 🥠 Eng Bee Tin Chinese Deli
• 🐸 Fried Frog Legs at Estero Fastfood

TOTAL BUDGET (per head) 

BINONDO FOOD CRAWL MAP GUIDE

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Binondo

• What is Binondo known for? Binondo is the center of commerce and trade of Manila, where all types of business run by Filipino-Chinese thrive. Noted residents include St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the Filipino protomartyr, and Venerable Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, founder of the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary.
• Where is the oldest Chinatown in the world? The development of most Chinatowns typically resulted from mass migration to an area without any or with very few Chinese residents. Binondo in Manila, established in 1594, is recognized as the world's oldest Chinatown.
• Is Binondo Manila safe? It is safe for groups for sure, daytime, even in the evenings is safe. over a year ago. people in Binondo Chinatown are friendly... it is generally safe...

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BINONDO FOOD CRAWL: DIY Foodtrip Guide to Manila Chinatown, the Oldest in the World (Map & Budget)

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Binondo Food Tour - Secret Food Tours

Binondo, Philippines is a vibrant district in Manila that is well-known for its rich culinary culture. Considered as the oldest Chinatown in the world, Binondo is home to a plethora of delicious dishes that reflect the influence of Chinese, Filipino, and Spanish cuisines.

One of the best ways to experience the flavors of Binondo is through a food tour. Binondo food tours offer a unique opportunity to taste a variety of dishes and learn about the history and culture behind them. From savory dim sum to sweet hopia, a food tour in Binondo will satisfy any foodie's cravings.

Some must-try dishes on a Binondo food tour include the famous fried siopao, pork and chicken adobo, kiampong (fried rice), and lumpiang shanghai (spring rolls). For dessert, make sure to try the creamy taho (soybean custard) and the refreshing halo-halo (a shaved ice dessert with fruits and sweet beans).

Aside from the delicious food, a food tour in Binondo also provides a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the district. Your guide will share stories about the Chinese immigrants who settled in the area and the significance of certain dishes in their culture.

In conclusion, Binondo is a great foodie city that offers a unique culinary experience. A Binondo food tour is the perfect way to explore the flavors and culture of this vibrant district. Don't miss the opportunity to taste some of the best dishes in Manila and learn about the history and culture behind them.

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Good for the Foodies: Your guide to a Binondo food trip

by Madge Resurreccion / February 3, 2022

When the pandemic struck, many businesses suffered and the once-bustling streets of Binondo were cleared of people until only silence remained. But as the precautionary measures and regulations loosened up, Binondo welcomed visitors once again, bringing back the liveliness of its streets. Binondo has always been the go-to place for foodies because of the variety of restaurants, eateries, and shops you can pick from.

Trying out food and snacks from different eateries, restaurants, and cafes in the area is like a walk through Binondo’s rich culture and history as Binondo is considered the oldest Chinatown in the world. But now, Binondo is more known for being the ideal  place for a food crawl. So, if you’re planning a visit to the area soon and need a food itinerary, we got you! Here are some places worth checking out for a food trip:

Ying Ying Tea House

People flock to Yuchengco Street’s Ying Ying Tea House for its great Cantonese food that is budget-friendly. Before the pandemic, the place was always packed with people during peak hours. But the food is worth the wait. You get a cup of hot tea to start off your meal. If you’re looking to eat something more familiar to your palate, you can go for dimsum, their meaty Pork Shrimp Siomai, or mami . But if you want to try something new, why not have a taste of frog legs, gutchap (innards), or roast duck? One thing’s for sure, whatever you choose to eat, you’ll surely get your money’s worth!

Salazar Bakery

Known for its famous hopia, Salazar Bakery opened its first branch in Salazar Street in 1947 before moving to Ongpin where it stands today. The bakeshop is famous for its classic hopia but is also selling a variety of flavors of it. Salazar offers a number of pastry collections which would be perfect to start your day with or maybe good for a quick snack in the afternoon. If you visit Binondo in the morning, you can start your food trip at Salazar Bakery and grab a cup of coffee while you’re at it.

Masuki is the perfect place to eat at once the cold and windy weather sweeps in. Established in the 1960s, it stands as one of the oldest restaurants in Binondo and can be found in Benavidez Street. It offers customers a taste of the past with its famous mami that patrons usually order with a siopao. Their Original Mami and Beef Wonton Chicken Asado Mami are definitely a must-try for the new customers, and a favorite go-to of loyal patrons.

Cafe Mezzanine

The laidback interior and relaxing atmosphere make Cafe Mezzanine an ideal hangout spot for people who want to spend their time just talking over good food and drinks. If you’re planning a visit to this place for the famous Soup No. 5, a soup that has bull, ox, or cow genitals in it, it’s better to drop by in the afternoon as they only serve their breakfast menu in the morning.

Cafe Mezzanine is also famous for donating all the money it makes to support the Binondo Paco Fire Search and Rescue Brigade. So, while you’re having a good time and filling in your stomach with good food, you’re actually supporting a cause, too!

Wai Ying is another famous go-to place when visiting Binondo for a food trip. It has regular customers who keep coming back for their favorite dishes like the Pork Asado Rice, Chicken Feet, and dimsum. While the place itself is not too fancy, it offers affordable authentic Chinese food that is a must-try for first time Binondo-goers.

Pro-tip: It’s better to visit the place by foot as parking space is always an issue around the area.

Eng Bee Tin

Established in 1912, the shop prides itself as the “Home of the Best Hopia and Tikoy.” You may have bought from the shop or at least heard of it before as it has a number of branches in the city. It’s mostly known for its ube hopia and tikoy. If you’re looking to taste Chinese delicacies, Eng Bee Tin is the best place to drop by and buy from!

There are more eateries and restaurants that are worth checking out when you’re in Binondo, and one day is probably not enough if you’re planning an extensive food trip. But no matter how much time you spend or how many restaurants you visit, it’s definitely worth the time and money as Binondo offers an enjoyable and fulfilling experience!

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A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos

Food Trip: Binondo

As the world’s oldest Chinatown (established in 1594), Binondo in Manila is a well-known cultural and foodie haven. Here, you can find lots of authentic hole-in-the-wall establishments serving everything from flashy Cantonese-themed lauriat meals to homey Hokkien-style Tsinoy cooking. However, there are over 100+ restaurants in the area, so it can be quite overwhelming to decide where to eat.

I’ve had the chance to join several walking and eating tours led by Ivan Man Dy of  Old Manila Walks , so I’ve sampled a few of the best. International tourists who want a guide can join one of his tours to get a sense of history and learn more about the different establishments.

I’ve also gone back to Binondo with friends for food-tripping on various occasions, with the latest being a bike/food trip in January 2024 as an early Chinese New Year Ride to see the latest developments in the area.

For those who want to explore on their own, your best resource would be the Big Binondo Food Wok map, where Ivan lists all the restaurants, shops and cultural points of interest in the area. It’s easy enough to just go around and eat here with friends wherever you want. Here are just a few places you can eat in Binondo.

Table of Contents

Masuki Mami House

Originally known as Ma Kong Mami, this establishment still resembles a 1930s eatery. It specializes in classic mami noodles which come with spring onions and asado sauce and siopao.

• Address: 931 Benavidez Street
• Recommendations: Mami noodles, siopao, siomai
• Facebook: Masuki Mami House

Dong Bei Dumplings (*take-out only)

A humble hole-in-the-wall joint that’s gained fame for serving authentic homemade dumplings and potstickers in the style of the northeast of mainland China cooking.

Everything here is made from scratch within the four corners of the walls. Really good dumplings especially the kuchay with pork dumplings. Definitely one of my favorites in Binondo. (NOTE: As of January 2024, Dong Bei Dumplings only allows take-out and no longer accepts guests for dine-in).

• Address:  642 E.T. Yuchengco St. cor. V. Tytana St., Binondo
• Recommendations: Pork dumplings, kuchay with pork dumping, deep-fried scallion cakes, stir-fried chicken with carrots and cucumber, Tofu Burger, Xiao Long Bao, Wong Lo Kat drink
• Facebook: Dong Bei Dumpling

If you’re in the mood to stay in a place with a modern vibe in Binondo, Apologue is one of the newest cafes you can visit. This minimalist cafe serves house-made pastries and cakes and coffee-based drinks.

Apologue is one of the few cafes I spotted in Binondo that had actual bike racks, so that’s a bonus for cyclists on coffee runs. Bestsellers here include the Sea Salt Latte and Tiramisu.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Apologue Coffee & Pastry (@apologueph)

• Address : 934 Benavidez Street, Binondo, Manila
• Facebook : Apologue
• Open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Eng Bee Tin Chinese Deli

Eng Bee Tin is a popular Chinese deli that serves delicacies and hopia in interesting flavors like pastillas, pandan and creamy custard. I’m a big fan of their Crispy Mikiron.

Starting in 2023, their flagship store along Ongpin now serves Fried Xiao Long Bao but only weekends. Expect long lines! They also have frozen versions you can cook at home.

• Address: 628 Ongpin Street Binondo, Binondo
• Recommendations : Hopia Ube, Hopia Combi (2 in 1 flavor), Mochipia (Hopia with Tikoy at the center) , Hopia Custard and vast variants of hopia, Tikoy, Fried Xiao Long Bao, Crispy Mikiron
• Facebook: Eng Bee Tin

1919 Grand Cafe

If you want a taste of fine dining in Binondo, one of the newer places in the area to check it is Grand Cafe 1919. This restaurant is located in a formerly abandoned colonial-era building and aims to be Binondo’s culinary jewel, offering a unique nostalgia trip. Photos of old Manila hang all around the restaurant’s walls.

The restaurant serves pre-set Chinese meals, fashion cakes, coffee and tea as well as soup, salad, pasta, pizza, wagyu steak, dimsum, and more.

• Address: 117 Juan Luna St., Binondo
• Facebook: 1919 Grand Cafe

Vege Select (formerly Quan Yin Chay Vegetarian)

An eatery that serves a great wide selection of very flavorful vegetarian meals. The texture and flavor of their dishes are very good even for non-vegetarians. Good value for money. They also sells vegan ingredients, sauces and frozen meat here.  It’s a good healthy alternative or the best option for vegans and vegetarians.

• Address: 739 Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila, 1006 Metro Manila
• Recommendations: Veggie Kare-kare, veggie sisig, mushrooms
• Price range: P120 for combo meal with 3 viands
• Restaurant hours: Open every day 7 am to 9 pm

Cafe Mezzanine

This Volunteer Fireman’s Coffee Shop specializes in comfort food cooked Hokkien-style. All the restaurant’s revenue is donated to Binondo Paco Fire Search and Rescue Brigade.

• Address: 650 Ongpin cor. E.T. Yuchengco St. Binondo
• Recommendations: Kiampong (rice cooked with soy sauce, pork, veggies and topped with salted peanuts), Special Fish Ball Soup (a light soup with veggies and fishballs), Lo Tau Hu (Stir-fried tofu), Cold kundol or Wintermelon tea, Soup#5
• Price range: P90-P200/dish
• Restaurant hours: Monday to Saturday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm; Sunday 7:00 am – 2:00 pm
• Facebook: Cafe Mezzanine

New Po-Heng Lumpia House

A small family-run eatery that serves Tsinoy-style spring rolls made mostly of fresh vegetables. For just P50, the lumpia which contains crushed peanuts, seaweed and bihon bits, is surprisingly filling. Homemade condiments and a sweet and spicy sauce are served on the side.

• Address:  621 Carvajal Street, Binondo, Manila
• Recommendations: Fresh lumpia rolls
• Facebook: New Po Heng Lumpia House

Quick Snack

A no-frills neighborhood establishment that’s been around since 1968. They serve Tsinoy “lutong bahay” specialties and other original recipes.

• Address: 637 Carvajal Street
• Recommendations: Ku-tsai-ah (empanada), Sate Mi noodles (pancit guisado with crispy kangkong), Deep-Fried Tofu drizzled with sate sauce, Fried lumpia
• Price range : P40 – P200 per dish

Wai Ying Fast Food

A staple in the Binondo food scene, this authentic Chinatown eatery serves Cantonese style dimsum, noodles and rice meals, at budget-friendly prices. It’s also a good spot for coffee or tea if you just want to take a break in between all the other food stops or late at night as they’re open until the early morning.

• Address: Benavidez St., Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila
• Recommendations: Peking duck rice, dimsum, beef noodle soup, Iced coffee
• Restaurant hours: Open everyday 7 am to 2am

President’s Tea House

A popular Cantonese dim sum place known for their seafood, siomai, congee, noodles, hakaw and cheong fun. They serve some pretty good desserts like steamed custard buns with salted egg yolk and mango and sago jelly.

• Address: 809 Salazar St., Binondo
• Recommendations: Scallop dumpling, Peking duck, Steamed Custard Buns filled with Salted Egg Yolk, Mango and Sago
• Price range: P80-P400+ per dish
• Restaurant hours: 2:30 pm – 11:00 pm

Awi’s Cafe & Restaurant

A modern Chinese cafe that serves some unique twists on typical Chinese dishes. The restaurant turns into a karaoke bar at night.

• Address: 520 E.T. Yuchencgco Street, Binondo
• Recommendations:  Awi’s Lo Bihon, Coffee Spareribs, Gabi Cake covered with scallions and vegetables, Kuapao
• Price range: P130 – P220 per dish
• Restaurant hours: Monday to Saturday 8:00 am – 11:45 pm
• Facebook: Awi’s Cafe & Restaurant

Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant

Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant is a family-owned establishment specializing in healthy and affordable Amoy dishes. They reputedly serve the best-tasting fried chicken in Binondo since 1956. Aside from chicken, they serve other specialties like BBQ spare ribs and oyster cake.

• Address: 497 E.T. Yuchengco (formerly Nueva St.)
• Recommendations: Sincerity Fried Chicken, BBQ Spare Ribs, Fried Oyster Cake, Fried Kikiam, Fresh Lumpia, Shrimp Omelette, 8 Treasures Machang
• Price range: P120 – P320/dish
• Restaurant hours: Monday to Saturday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm, Sunday 9:00 – 2:00 pm
• Facebook: Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant

Estero Fast Food

Adventurous foodies usually make a stop at Estero Fast Food, so named because it’s located right next to an “estero” or creek/canal. The hawker-style stalls, the most famous of which is LGA Fast Food, offer a range of Filipino and Chinese dishes including a few exotic ones like Fried Frog’s Legs, which you can have cooked in different styles (adobo, butter, fried in garlic, etc.).

• Address: Brgy. 297, Santa Cruz, Manila
• Recommendations: Crispy fried garlic frog’s legs (eat at your own risk)
• Price range: P120 – P250 /dish
• Facebook: Estero Fast Food

King Chef Seafood Restaurant

This fine-dining restaurant located in Lucky Mall Chinatown offers a variety of Chinese, seafood and Taiwanese specialties good for large groups holding business meetings or celebrating anniversaries and special occasions. Food here is more upscale and expensive compared to most of the smaller eateries in Binondo.

• Address: 2/F Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo
• Recommendations:  Seafood with Spinach Soup, Shrimp Bombs (coated shrimp balls filled with melted cheese), Dragon Boat (prawns seasoned with butter and melted cheese served with broccoli and crispy noodles), Peking Duck served three ways and Lapu-Lapu in Pomelo Sauce
• Price range: P300-P2,800/dish depending on size
• Facebook: King Chef

News Cafe at Ramada Manila Central

Located at the Mezzanine level or Ramada Manila Central, a hotel right across the Binondo Church, News Café offers Western and Asian all-day dining with themed buffets during weekends. The cafe is decorated with photographs of scenes of Old Chinatown.

• Address:  Ramada Manila Central, Ongpin cor. Quintin Paredes
• Recommendations: Buffet
• Price range: P595 for Emperor’s Lunch buffet (every Sunday)
• Website:   http://ramadamanilacentral.com/

80s Memories Tofu Coffee Tea Shop

A small but modern Taiwanese cafe that specializes in stinky tofu and hot potato. They serve milk teas, dessert, fruit juices, bubble drinks, homemade fruit soda and other interesting beverages. They have a clean and decent restroom compared to some others in the area.

• Address: 630, 1006 Yuchengco St, Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila
• Recommendations: Mango Cheese Milk Tea Cover, Oreo Milk Cheese Cover
• Restaurant hours: Open everyday 1pm – 10pm

Fred’s Revolucion Escolta

Fred’s Revolucion is an indie watering hole in Escolta that serves breakfast meals, appetizers, coffee, cocktails, mainstream local beers and a few craft beers on tap.

• Address:  Fred’s Revolucion, G/F First United Building, 413 Escolta St, Sta Cruz, Manila
• Recommendations: Brewed coffee, Craft beer
• Business hours:  Monday to Saturday 5:00 pm to 12:00 am

Uno Seafood Wharf Palace

Uno Seafood Wharf Palace is a Chinese restaurant that serves family-style Chinese cuisine and has established itself as a Binondo favorite. Ideal for family celebrations and groups.

• Address: Uno Seafood Wharf Palace, Calvo Bldg., 270 Escolta St, Binondo
• Recommendations: Pan-fried oyster cake in Fookien style, Hong Kong Style crab meat Fuyong, assorted cold cuts
• Restaurant hours: Monday to Sunday 11am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 11pm

Binondo has a lot of stalls selling everything from Chinese medicine, dry goods, books, toys, trinkets and fresh fruits and delicacies. Cat not included.

Preserves and kiamoy

Traditional stalls where you can buy different nuts and Chinese preserves like plums, ginger preserves, dilis and kiamoy. A good stall is the one located at the end of Carvajal street, Alley Market.

Fresh Fruits

There are lots of stalls around Binondo selling cherries, dragonfruit, strawberries, apples, persimmons, oranges, grapes and other fruits.

Ho-land Bakery

A family-owned bakery that sells an assortment of Tsinoy cakes, pastries and delicacies, including their bestseller – hopia.

Polland Hopia

Polland Hopia has been making hopia or mung bean cakes since 1966. This branch sells a variety of hopia products as well as mooncakes, tikoy and many others.

Shanghai Fried Siopao

This small stall sells different kinds of Chinese food – hopia, kikiam, cuapao, but their best seller is the fried siopao, a meat bun filled with meat and vegetables. They also sell ma-chang, flavored sticky rice with bits of chicken, pork and chestnut.

How to get to Binondo and getting around

By public transport, the nearest stations to Binondo are Carriedo on the LRT-11 line or Recto on the LRT-2. It’s also near the Escolta Station of the Pasig River Ferry.

Binondo could be a great food-trip biking destination, but sadly, many establishments lack proper bike parking. If you’re bringing your bike to eat in the area, choose streetside restaurants where you can easily keep an eye on your bike and bring a bike lock.

Because of the traffic congestion and narrow one-way streets, it’s very difficult to bring a car and find parking in the area. Car owners would be better off parking in Lucky Chinatown Mall and walking. A lot of locals use motorcycles, though street parking is very limited. Once you get there, Binondo is best explored on foot or by taking a sidecar.  I really think they shouldn’t allow cars at all in Binondo and just make the streets fully for walking and biking only.

This is also one of the few areas in Metro Manila where horse-drawn carriages or  kalesas  are still widely used to get around.

Travel tips & useful information

• I highly recommend you just take the train or ferry to get here instead of taking a car to save you the hassle of finding parking along the narrow streets. You’ll be walking most of the time once you get there anyway.
• Plan your route beforehand to maximize the number of restaurants you can try during your food trip.
• If you want to save some money on drinks, bring your own water bottle.
• Bring reusable containers so you can take-out of food!
• Wear simple, breathable clothes and comfortable walking shoes. Leave the jewelry, fancy clothes and designer bags at home.
• Keep your bag secure and take extra care of your valuables especially at times when the place is extra crowded (Chinese New Year, etc.)
• Binondo is best explored with friends so you can share a variety of dishes. and have someone to split costs with.

Share this:

12 thoughts on “food trip: binondo”.

Hi Kara! You should’ve visited New Toho Food Center and try their secret dish which is the Fried Milk Bihon. You need to ask the waiter secretly (whisper) for you to order it. It was said that only the patrons and other chinese aristocrats knew that dish. 🙂

Estero’s Steamed Lapu-lapu is a must!!!!

Hi Jay, thanks for the tip!

Hi Jason, first time I’ve heard of Fried Milk Bihon. Thanks for the tip. Will try that next time I’m in the area!

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I’m keeping this one for future reference..hehehe Someday!

Hi Kara! I stumbled upon your page by chance and I find it very helpful. Thanks for sharing!

You’re welcome, Ivan!

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A travel & food blog

Binondo Food Trip 2024: BEST Restaurants and Food Stalls to Visit

Binondo is one of the best foodie destinations in Manila. Featuring hole-in-the-wall restaurants and unassuming food stalls, it’s a great destination for families and friends who want to taste authentic Chinese dishes.

I’d already been on a Binondo food trip twice and both times were great. This is something that I probably won’t get tired of, as it’s relatively cheap and there are always new dining options to find. My latest visit fell on a weekend, and admittedly, I was caught off-guard with the long queues everywhere! Nonetheless, it was a happy (tummy) experience.

Here’s our updated guide on the best restaurants and food spots for those doing a DIY food trip in Binondo.

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About Binondo

Wai ying fastfood, lan zhou la mien, ying ying tea house, sincerity cafe and restaurant, cafe mezzanine, chuan kee fast food, dong bei dumplings, new po heng lumpia house, shanghai fried siopai, eng bee tin, polland hopia factory and cafe, lord stow’s bakery, vege select, lga fast food estero, how to get to binondo, tips for your binondo food trip, book a binondo food tour, what to read next:.

Binondo is known as “ the oldest Chinatown in the world .” Its name is derived from the word “binundok”, which means low-lying hills.

It was established in the 1500s by the Spaniards as a settlement for the Catholic Chinese. It then grew as the center of trade in Manila. Today, it’s a cultural and foodie attraction with lots of restaurants serving affordable, delicious Filipino and Chinese delicacies such as dumplings, noodles, and rice meals.

Binondo is one of the spots in Manila for a food trip. Other places worth visiting include Maginhawa in Quezon City, Kapitolyo in Ortigas, and Poblacion in Makati.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Binondo

Whether it’s your first time in Binondo or here on a recurring visit, here are the tried-and-tested restaurants that you shouldn’t miss. We also included our opinions on those we’ve tried.

Note that operating hours may change without notice.

One of the most beloved restaurants in Binondo serving authentic Cantonese cuisines, from dumplings to rice meals. They have generous servings and their rice dishes can be good for sharing!

We personally loved their beef noodle soup and their other rice meals were good too.

• What to order : Dimsum, dumplings, roasted duck rice, lemon chicken rice, soy/asado chicken rice, congee, beef noodle soup
• Open hours : 7AM to 10PM

Lan Zhou La Mien is famous for their hand-pulled noodle soups. You can even witness a live demonstration of how they make the noodles.

• What to order : Beef lamien
• Open hours : 10AM to 9PM

One of the top-rated restaurants in Binondo, Ying Ying Tea House offers affordable and delicious Chinese dishes such as congee, rice meals, dumplings, and noodles.

• What to order : Dimsum (pork siomai, hakaw), chicken feet, yang chow fried rice, spare ribs tausi, and more

Sincerity’s pride is their fried chicken, but you can also order other Chinese food such as pancit, lumpiang shanghai, and more.

• What to order : Fried chicken, oyster cake, kikiam
• Open hours : 9AM to 7PM (up to 2PM only on Sundays)

Known as “The Fireman’s Coffee Shop,” this café donates their revenue to the Binondo Paco Fire Search and Rescue Brigade.

• What to order : Soup #5, dumplings such as lava pao and xiao long bao
• Open hours : 8AM to 9PM (opens early at 7AM on Sundays)

In the same building as Cafe Mezzanine, you’ll find Chuan Kee Fast Food. Chuan Kee Fast Food is the oldest fastfood restaurant in Binondo . They are known for their kiampong, gokhong, maki, and lechon kawali, as well as other Chinoy favorites.

We liked their kiam pong rice and xiao long bao, but some of their main dishes (particularly the fried chicken and pork asado) were rather ordinary. However, overall their food is decent and reasonably priced. Serving time is fast as well, so it’s great for groups.

• What to order : Kiampong, pork maki mi
• Open hours : 9AM to 9PM (opens early at 7AM on Sundays)

Best Snacks and Pasalubong

This store is known for their pork and kuchay dumplings. You can order them steamed or fried for take-out or buy frozen packs for pasalubong.

We’d been here twice, and I actually liked the dumplings better before. I found the wrapper too thick for my taste, but my companions were happy about the food, so judge it for yourself.

• Open hours : 8:30AM to 7PM (closes early at 6PM on Sundays)

Found along Carvajal Street, this nondescript food stall serves one of the best fresh lumpias (spring rolls) in Binondo, served with their own version of special sweet-spicy sauce.

This is one of my favorite food stops at Binondo as the quality of the food has remained the same over the years and the fresh lumpia is delish!

• Open hours : 8:30M to 7PM (closes early at 6PM on Sundays)

Located along Ongpin Street, this food stall serves cheap and delicious fried siopao that you can eat or take home as pasalubong.

• Open hours : 7AM to 6PM

A visit to Binondo won’t be complete without buying food pasalubong from Eng Bee Tin. It’s most famous for its hopia and tikoy. I also recommend buying a box of pineapple cake, which is super addicting.

There is more than one branch of Eng Bee Tin in Binondo. Its flagship store, which is located in Ongpin Street, is a 2-storey building where can buy goods and dine in. They have an in-house restaurant called Great Buddha Cafe , located at the 2nd floor.

In 2023, they also launched a food stall at their flagship store, called Binondo Bites , which sells fried xiao long bao. This is one of the trendy food at Binondo.

Established in 1966, this store serves different kinds of hopia (mung bean cake), as well as mooncakes, tikoy, and other delicacies.

• Open hours : 8AM to 6PM (closes early at 5PM on Sundays)

This bakery is famous for their egg tarts, which are soft and creamy – perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

• Open hours : 9AM to 7PM

Other restaurants to try

Here are other worthwhile Binondo restaurants you can visit:

Formery known as Quan Yin Chay, Vege Select is a highly rated restaurant serving vegan and vegetarian dishes. Recently, they have become popular for their sugar-coated strawberries and other fruits.

• Open hours : 6AM to 8PM

This canteen-style fastfood serves affordable meals, though they are mostly known for exotic dishes such as frog legs.

• What to order : Fried garlic frog legs
• Open hours : 9:30AM to 7:30PM

Established in the 1960s, it is one of the oldest restaurants in Binondo. Masuki serves comfort food, including their bestseller mami noodles.

• What to order : Beef mami

The easiest way to commute to Binondo is by the LRT Station. Get off at either Carriedo Station (Sta. Cruz Church) or D. Jose Station (Binondo Church). From there, it’s a few minutes walk to Binondo.

If you’re bringing a car, here are the parking spaces available:

• Mall parking : For secure parking, head to Lucky Chinatown Mall (open from 10AM to 9PM). It’s only a short walk to the food spots in Binondo.
• Street parking : This is the cheapest option, as it only costs P50 for a whole day. However, it is difficult to find a free spot on weekends and holidays. An alternative would be the parking at Binondo Church.
• Pay parking : You can find pay parking along Yuchengco St. and Escolta St. This is what we recommend especially if you’re visiting on a weekend.

Here are some commonly asked questions about Binondo:

• Best time to visit : Binondo is a popular day tour in Manila, particularly during Chinese New Year where you can do a food crawl and see dragon dance performances at the same time. If you want to avoid the crowd, it’s best to go here on regular weekdays. If you’re going on weekends or holidays, prepare to wait in long queues especially in the popular restaurants.
• What to wear : Wear breathable, comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear, as you’ll probably do a lot of walking.
• What to bring : A bottle of water in case you get tired and thirsty; an eco-bag if you want to buy pasalubong.
• How much is the budget : It depends on how many restaurants and food stalls you plan to visit. In a small group, a safe budget is around P1500 per person.

Other things you can do in Binondo:

• Visit the Binondo Church, which is a heritage site built during the Spanish period.
• Drop by the Chinatown Museum to learn more about the history of Binondo.
• Take a stroll around Binondo and visit general merchandise stores, jewelry shops along Ongpin Street, and feng shui and crystal stores. If you’re up for some fun activities, have your fortune read in the area! I had a tarot reading in our visit and it was one of the best ones I’ve had. (I’m an avid fan of tarot reading.)
• Head to Manila Bay for the sunset.

Binondo Travel Tips:

• Binondo is generally safe. However, as with other city locations, it’s best to practice good common sense and keep an eye on your belongings at all times.
• Plan your itinerary and decide which food stops you want to visit ahead of time. Most likely, you’ll only visit around 5 restaurants / food stalls.
• A food trip in Binondo is best done with a partner or friends, so you can share food and split expenses.
• If you want the Binondo food trip experience but in a more convenient setting, you can go instead to Lucky Chinatown Mall where you can find Chinese restaurants such as King Chef , Shi Lin , and Sincerity , as well as pasalubong stores such as Eng Bee Tin. This tip is particularly useful for families with young kids in tow.

For organized food trips in Binondo, it’s easiest to book via Klook .

Here’s a short video of our recent Binondo food trip:

@taraletsanywhere Binondo Food Trip + Chinatown Museum and had my fortune read. Weekend well spent. #binondofoodtrip #binondo #foodtiktokph ♬ Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da – Gabriela Bee

Have you been to Binondo food crawl? What are your favorite restaurants and recommendations? Let us know in the comments section below!

You might also be interested in these:

• Local Guide to Manila
• Chinatown Museum in Binondo
• Binondo Chinese New Year Celebration

Get discounts on your travels!

Enjoy discounts with KLOOK using our promo code: TARALETSANYWHERE

Katherine Cortes is a long-time backpacker and a freelance writer/editor. She likes beaches, snorkeling trips, and relaxing staycations (preferably with bath tubs!).

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Binondo food trip: best places to eat in manila's chinatown (food crawl guide 2023).

If you're up for an exciting food adventure, then go on a Binondo Food Trip this 2023!

Where to eat: binondo food crawl guide 2023, here's my list of tried-and-tested places to eat in binondo..

Tea Brothers

New Po Heng Lumpia House

Wai Ying Fast Food

Dong Bei Dumplings

Sincerity Restaurant and Café

Shanghai Fried Siopao

Ying Ying Tea House

Lan Zhou La Mien

Café Mezzanine

Best places to buy pasalubong in binondo.

Eng Bee Tin

Salazar Bakery

Ho-Land Hopia and Bakery

Lord Stow's Bakery

Polland Hopia Factory and Cafe

Binondo Food Crawl Tips and Reminders

• Food trip in Binondo is best experienced if you share it with a partner, your family, or group of friends. This way, you can split or share the cost and try as many dishes as you want.
• If you're bringing a car, you can park it around Binondo Church or at Lucky Chinatown Mall and start your food trip from there.
• Plan your itinerary. List the places you want to visit and use google map to navigate the streets of Binondo and to find the restaurants listed above.
• If you wish to stay for a night in Binondo, there are a few hotels in Binondo to choose from. I highly recommend Ramada by Wyndham Manila Central and Red Planet Hotel Manila Binondo . I've tried both and they both have very nice location near the restaurants.
• Since there are only a few hotels in Binondo, be sure to book in advance online - especially during Chinese New Year when these hotels are mostly fully booked.
• Binondo is generally safe. But always be careful and mindful of your belongings when walking around its busy streets.

Binondo Food Tour Package

Other food tours and experiences near binondo.

• Old Manila Filipino Food Crawl
• Dinner Buffet and Cultural Show at Barbara's Restaurant in Intramuros
• Intramuros Bambike Tour
• Manila City Tour Package
• Walls of this Content: An Intramuros Interactive Walk
• San Miguel + Malacañang Palace Guided Walking Tour
• Old Manila - Heritage Full Day Tour
• Manila Heritage Museum Crawl

Hotels in or near Binondo

Red Planet Manila Binondo

White Knight Hotel Intramuros

Bayleaf Hotel Intramuros

For more hotels in manila - please click here ., binondo food trip vlog, please watch my binondo food trip video blog on my youtube channel . don't forget to subscribe for future updates..

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions on other Binondo restaurants we should try, please leave a comment below. Have fun and enjoy your food tripping in Binondo Manila!

Follow my adventures on youtube @pinoyadventurista, 1 comment :.

Wow...!!! Thank you for sharing ☺️ wish to try some.

Looking for Budget Travel Guide Blogs, Hotel Reviews, and Sample DIY Itineraries? Welcome to Pinoy Adventurista, "Your Next Ultimate Adventure Starts Here!" Pinoy Adventurista is one of the Top Travel Blogs in the Philippines and the World. In 2013, he visited all the 81 provinces in the Philippines.

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Explore Binondo: 15 Must-Try Places to Eat in Binondo

Nakapag Binondo food trip na ba ang lahat? If you’re a sucker for dumplings, a hot bowl of authentic noodle soups, and well, Chinese food in general, obviously, then you may want to start planning your next food crawl in Binondo with your best pals and assume your role as true foodie! 

Binondo is the first and oldest Chinatown in the World , and it is located in the city of Manila. This place is rich with culture and absolutely palatable foods that will satisfy your Chinese food cravings. In fact, it is one of the best places to visit in the Philippines for locals and tourists alike who want to experience authentic and flavorsome Chinese staple delicacies. You can also discover a lot of great eats in this place that are budget-friendly, which is perfect for people who want to go on a food trip while sticking to a certain budget. 

To get you started, here’s a list of must-try places to eat in Binondo: 

1. Dong Bei Dumpling

Photo Source: Dong Bei Dumpling  

Don’t be fooled by the size of this dumpling restaurant. They may have a small place, but Dong Bei Dumpling is the most popular dumpling house in Binondo. Their best seller kuchay dumplings is what people rave about in this small restaurant because of its clean and rich flavors. To top it off, they’re affordable and freshly made everyday. If you do go on a Binondo food trip, make sure to drop by Dong Bei Dumpling and order their kuchay dumplings. 

Location : 642 Yuchengco St, Binondo, Manila Opening hours : Monday to Saturday, 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM – Sunday, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM Available for : Dine-in, take-out, delivery Famous dishes to try : Kuchay dumplings

2. Wai Ying Fastfood

Photo Source: Wai Ying Fastfood  

If you’re on a budget and want to satisfy your dimsum cravings, Wai Ying Fastfood is a great choice for that. This place is usually packed with people since the food is both quality and affordable. But don’t let the long line discourage you! They serve fast, so the wait won’t be as long as you think. 

You could say that it is not overhyped at all since people really do enjoy coming back to Wai Ying because of their specially flavorful dishes. Aside from the wide variety of dimsum and dumplings, they also serve other dishes that you should try such as their beef mami, congee, roasted duck, lemon chicken, and more. 

Location : 810 Benavidez St, Binondo, Manila Opening hours : Everyday from 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM  Available for : Dine-in, take-out, delivery, pick-up Famous dishes to try : Various dimsums and dumplings, roasted duck, beef mami, 

3. Shanghai Fried Siopao

Photo Source: @ohnoitshungryjoe on Instagram

You’ll always find foods that are worth trying when you walk the streets of Binondo, particularly in Ongpin. Ongpin street may be narrow and a bit crowded, but it is home to a lot of notable restaurants that serve delectable dishes. One of the great food finds you’ll discover in this street is Shanghai Fried Siopao. It’s easy to miss their stall since it’s small and appears ordinary, BUT then again, it’s Binondo we’re talking about here, so the size of the store doesn’t matter when they’ve got something tasty to offer. 

Hence the name, their best seller is fried siopao, which is a good pick-me-up food or snack while you walk the streets of Binondo on your food trip. They sell other Chinese delicacies such as siomai and kikiam, but their fried siopao stands out to many people, both locals in the area and tourists alike, because of the freshly made soft, fluffy, and moist buns filled with juicy meat combined with minced vegetables inside — which is just an explosion of flavors in every bite. Unang kagat, laman lahat! The best part is that they give it to you while it’s still warm. 

Location : 828 Ongpin St, Santa Cruz, Manila Opening hours : Everyday from 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Available for : Dine-in, take-out, delivery, pick-up Famous dishes to try : Fried siopao

4. Ying Ying Tea House

Photo Source: Ying Ying Tea House  

Ying Ying Tea House offers scrumptious and inexpensive food that you will surely love. People rave about their dishes, so you can expect long lines most of the time when you visit this place. But then again, don’t let it stop you from tasting their best seller dimsums, dumplings, noodle soup dishes, rice meals, and more. It’s one of the classics in Binondo that you should definitely aim to eat at on your next food crawl. 

Location : 233-235 Yuchengco St, Binondo, Manila Opening hours : Everyday from 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM Available for : Dine-in, take-out, delivery, pick-up Famous dishes to try : Siomai, hakaw, chicken feet, spareribs tausi

5. Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant

Photo Source: @discovermnl on Instagram

We’ve mostly been talking about dimsum and dumplings since the start of this list. But now let’s go over to another dish: fried chicken. If you love a good oriental chicken, then check out Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant. They are well-known for their best seller dish called Sincerity fried chicken that’s also available in two other flavors: honey and curry. You can take your pick on other bestseller and must-try dishes that they offer such as shrimp omelet, fried oyster cake, Sincerity chami, kiampong, BBQ spareribs, and more. 

Location : 519 Quintin Paredes St. Binondo, Manila Opening hours : Everyday from 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Available for : Dine-in, take-out, delivery, pick-up Famous dishes to try : Sincerity fried chicken

6. Lan Zhou La Mien

Photo Source: Lan Zhou La Mien  

Craving for a fresh and warm bowl of noodle soup? Lan Zhou La Mien is one of the best places you should head down to because they are famous for their hand-pulled noodles and they serve a wide array of lamien noodles that you can choose from on your visit there. Oh and they have big servings at just an affordable price! 

Location : 818 Benavidez St, Binondo, Manila Opening hours : Everyday from 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Available for : Dine-in, take-out, delivery Famous dishes to try : Beef lamien, spareribs lamien, steamed dumplings

7. Tasty Dumplings

Photo Source: ForkSpoonManila

Another place at Binondo that will give you yummy dishes at a reasonable price is Tasty Dumplings. It’s a small and narrow restaurant with two floors, yet they offer big servings. In fact they’re well-known for their big, juicy, and crunchy pork chop. This is then complemented with steamed rice topped with toasted garlic and stir fried veggies on the side. Other well-known dishes of theirs that you should try are: fried kuchay dumplings, spareribs rice, and other rice meal dishes.

Location : Wellington Building, Norberto Ty St, Binondo, Manila Opening hours : Every from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Available for : Dine-in, take-out Famous dishes to try : Pork chop rice, fried kuchay dumplings

8. Cafe Mezzanine

Photo Source: Wanderista PH  

Cafe Mezzanine is the ideal place for some chill and casual hangout with your friends or family when you visit Binondo. They serve traditional Chinese food that you can enjoy. It’s an absolute must that you at least try their xiao long bao and kiampong when you stop by this place. 

Location : 650 Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila Opening hours : Everyday from 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Available for : Dine-in, take-out, delivery Famous dishes to try : Xiao long bao, kiampong, lava pao

9. New Po Heng Lumpia House

Photo Source: New Po Heng Lumpia House  

Located in the narrow street of Carvajal in Binondo, New Po Heng Lumpia House is a small canteen that sells authentic Chinese style fresh lumpia. Despite the difficulty of locating this food stall, people still try to go here just to order their popular dish which is the fresh lumpia. Packed with chopped and minced vegetables and other ingredients thoroughly covered with a lumpia wrapper topped with sweet garlic sauce, it’s just a delight to your taste buds. If you fancy a ‘koboy’ type of food trip, this place would be perfect for that since it’s an al fresco canteen so you’ll really have to eat outside with all the traffic noise. 

Location : 621, 1006 Carvajal St, Binondo, Manila Opening hours : Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Closed on Sundays Available for : Dine-in, take-out, delivery, drive-through Famous dishes to try : Fresh lumpia, kiampong, pork maki

10. The Great Buddha Cafe

Photo Source: The Great Buddha Cafe  

If you loved the dishes served in Cafe Mezzanine, then you may want to try The Great Buddha Cafe. It’s a cozy Chinese restaurant that’s located on the second floor of Eng Bee Tin’s flagship store in Ongpin, Binondo. They are well known for their beef tendon claypot rice as well as their dimsum, dumplings, and many more dishes. 

Location : 2F UBE Tower, 628 Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila Opening hours : Everyday from 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Available for : Dine-in, take-out, delivery, pick-up Famous dishes to try : Beef tendon claypot rice

11. Chuan Kee Chinese Fastfood

Photo Source: Chuan Kee Chinese Fastfood  

Dubbed as the oldest fastfood in Chinatown, Chuan Kee Chinese Fastfood serves traditional Chinese food but with a twist — turo turo style. They have various dishes prepared, placed, and lined up for people to see, and you just basically have to point out what you want to order. They also have a wide list of other dishes to try in their menu which includes: various dimsums such as hakaw, pork siomai, and xiao long bao, rice toppings such as beef tendon. Some of their famous dishes include kiampong and lechon kawali, so you may want to grab one of those. 

When eating at Chuan Kee, you’ll be surrounded by more options of places to eat at because on the second floor of its building sits Cafe Mezzanine and beside it is the popular hopia shop, Eng Bee Tin. You’ll be targeting three places all at once! 

Location : 650 Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila Opening hours : Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM – Sunday, 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM Available for : Dine-in, take-out, delivery Famous dishes to try : Kiampong, maki, lechon kawali

Photo Source: Lucky Chinatown  

Masuki is a well-known place in Binondo that serves rich and flavorful mami that’s simply comforting and satisfying. They are pretty much like Ma Mon Luk because people also come for their mami and siopao as a fave combo. 

Location : 931 Benavidez St, Binondo, Manila Opening hours : Everyday from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Available for : Dine-in, take-out, delivery, pick-up Famous dishes to try : Beef mami, asado mami, chicken mami, siopao

13. Quik Snack

Photo Source: Quik Snack

Quik Snack is another small stall or joint in Binondo, located in Carvajal street that you’ll have to check out.  It has been around since 1967, and is still standing strong today, serving people with their delicious classic Chinese comfort food. Some of their popular dishes include: Kuchay Ah (a small meat pie that’s filled with ground pork and minced chives) and fresh lumpia. They’re the perfect go-to food if you’re looking for some quick bites on your food trip.

Location : Carvajal St, Binondo, Manila Opening hours : Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM – Closed on Sundays Available for : Dine-in, take-out, delivery, pick-up Famous dishes to try : Kuchay Ah, fresh lumpia

14. Awi’s Cafe and Restaurant

Photo Source: Awi’s Cafe and Restaurant  

Awi’s Cafe and Restaurant may be small, but they serve incredibly delectable Chinese dishes in big servings at reasonable prices. When you visit Awi’s, do try their special chicken, various dimsum choices, chami, and salt and pepper squid. Definitely worth it for big eaters and Chinese food lovers!

Location : 520 E.T, Yuchengco St, Binondo, Manila Opening hours : Monday to Saturday, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM – Closed on Sundays Available for : Dine-in, take-out, delivery Famous dishes to try : Awi’s special chicken, salt and pepper squid, chami

15. LGA Fastfood (Estero Fastfood) – Ongpin

Photo Source: LGA Fastfood  

LGA Fastfood or otherwise known as Estero Fastfood to some of its regular customers is a canteen style food establishment located in the heart of Ongpin, beside the estero or canal (thus its name). It doesn’t have the most appealing environment to eat at and it can get a bit crowded since a lot of people come here, but you can find good food here at a budget-friendly price. Some of the must-try dishes are: pancit (stir fried noodles), lechon kawali, and lemon chicken. If you want to go kind of ‘exotic’ and be extra with your food choices, you may also want to have some of their famous crispy fried frog legs. 

Location : Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila Opening hours : Everyday from 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Available for : Dine-in, take-out, delivery Famous dishes to try : Crispy fried frog legs, lechon kawali, pancit

There’s no denying that Binondo is one of the best places in the Philippines to spend a day for a good food trip experience. No matter what your budget is, you’ll definitely find a place to eat at Binondo that’s not only going to fill your bellies, but also create a burst of flavors down your palate. And of course, there’s no better way to carry out this experience than to do it with your co-foodies! So tara, food trip?

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CHINATOWN FOOD TRIP: Must Visit Binondo

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Life stories, road adventures, and big dreams by Marron Santillan

Manila Chinatown: A first timer’s guide to Binondo Food Trip

Having spent 4 years studying inside Intramuros back in college, I asked myself why the hell I did not become a foodie when I was always a few sprints away from overrated and underrated kainans of Manila?

Well, that’s one of the maaaany regrets of my teenage years but I am making up with self now.

And so fast forward one day of February, me and my coffee friends went to Binondo : the world’s oldest Chinatown. Damn. This food crawl is also pretty much a walk down in history too. Very interesting! To give you a little background, this historical Chinatown was established in 1594 by Chinese traders back in the old days of the Philippines. And knowing that Chinese Mandarin is still being spoken well by the Filipino-Chinese residents of Binondo today amazes me.

Salazar Bakery

Coming from Lucky Chinatown Mall where we parked, our first stop was Salazar Bakery in Ongpin Street. First opened in 1947, this bakery is still a busy shop today. For starters, we had Hopia and Tikoy . But what aroused my palates was the Tikoy with Peanuts . I swear I thought it was weird at first but it got interestingly weird. And maybe interestingly good. I hella love the taste of Sago’t Gulaman and this tikoy is so insane it’s almost the same! Compliments well with the salty dry peanut filling. Love at first bite.

 Shanghai Fried Siopao

On the other side of Ongpin Street is Shanghai Fried Siopao . This street siopao only cost P22 and for chrissakes, my friends and I agreed to share two siopaos for all of us. The reason was to save our tummies and avoid being fully loaded as much as possible but maaan, the taste is hella good! Such a breath of fresh air from the processed ones we are having just because it is convenient. I mean, this one is fucking authentic I guess? So all in all, Shanghai Fried Siopao is my best-spent P22 and I am highly recommending it to you . And not having a whole Siopao is questioning what the hell is wrong.

New Quan Yin Chay Vegetarian Food House

Okay so this is the kind of menu that my fit fam would love. They cater to a wide variety of yummy food so we asked what’s their best seller and they gladly suggest the Seafood Soup . The big bowl of soup costs P150 and it’s very sulit . And for a vegetarian meal, I’d say it was tasty not to mention there’s a lot going on inside that bowl. Perhaps one of the best healthy eats in Binondo, for sure.

Café Mezzanine

Located on the 2nd floor in the heart of Chinatown, Café Mezzanine is a fusion of Filipino and Chinese Food. We ordered Lechon Kawali (P135), Kiampong (P70), and Xiaolongbao  (P180). Fucking tasty! I swear I loved it very much.

Lechon Kawali is always a stunner but that one is a jaw-dropper. Like seriously? How can good food be 10x better?

Their Kiampong is hardcore tasty as well. I could eat that alone without anything.

And the xiaolongbao? What the hell is xiaolongbao anyway? I never had it before. But I knew it was great! I like how it gives your mouth bursting flavors of sweet to savory. And a lot of joy too.

Dong Bei Dumplings

The famous hole in the wall authentic dumpling house in Yuchengco Street, Binondo. This tiny food house can be jam-packed, waited in line for minutes but they make your dumplings in front of you, so I think that was entertaining.

Okay. Can I just say that the dumplings were phenomenal? P200 for 14pcs. I personally think there is really no wow factor in this place but I like the fact that they are practicing the tradition of making dumplings every day. Fresh ingredients, made daily. Or maybe I still haven’t discovered the wow factor? But please, go to this place. You’ll love it there.

Eng Bee Tin

Another famous Chinese deli chain in Ongpin Street is Eng Bee Tin . Who doesn’t know Eng Bee Tin?! I personally love this because I grew up loving its best selling hopia! Their 3-story store is super awesome too. 1st floor is a grocery, the 2nd floor is the restaurant, and the 3rd floor is a freaking museum! Holy WOW. But unfortunately, the museum was under construction and was closed to the public. Which was pretty sad. Anyway, this store has a lot to offer. Name it, and they have it. Quality restaurant and well, hard to leave without a takeaway ube hopia!

Walking through Nueva Street in Binondo, you’ll see Holland . It wasn’t really that much not until the Chocnut drink mix  (P100) and Chocnut spread (P80). I mean, what kind of fresh heaven is this? I am biased in loving chocnut. Aren’t we all? We reached this mini grocery store at around 6:30 pm already and that only means missing Cuapao (pork buns)  Fucked, because I heard a lot of good reviews about it!

Sincerity Café and Restaurant

So we went on the other side of Yuchengco Street. And honestly, though I was totally looking forward to going to Sincerity Café and Restaurant only for one thing: Freaking frog legs . But a boy could only be so unlucky. We missed it for the universe. So we ended up ordering their famous claim to fame  fried chicken  (half for P160) and kikiam (forgot the price lol sorry) .

Their fried chicken is, well, fucking fantastic. It is to die for! Super far from the western style good ‘ol f. chicken. The chicken itself, from the outer crispy skin down to the bones, it has a mild sweetness, a balanced mix of spices and a hella homey taste.

Oh, kikiam . This one’s quite authentic, wrapped in actual bean curd skin. I can say that it’s the best tasting kikiam I had. And the sauce, man. Freaking adorable.

La Zhou La Mien

Since this is our 9th stop, let me fucking vomit first. Just kidding ! Hahaha I was so full already. But the heaviest meal comes at the end because life is full of unfair surprises. Me and my friends agreed to share a big plate of beef knife mien  for P260. And even if I feel very full, I still find it appetizing which for me was something new. I mean just looking at the photo itself.

Sooooo after 4 hours of binge eating, we walked back to Lucky Chinatown Mall, had some Thai milk tea, drove to the world trade center for Big Bad Wolf (I happen to buy 5 exciting books!) drove back to Quezon City to drink beers until 5 in the morning. Ahhhh lupet!

Bucket list for the next Binondo food trip:

• Fried frog legs (Sincerity Restaurant)
• Po Heng Lumpia House
• Masuki Mami House
• Kim Hiong Food Garden
• James Grocery Carvajal
• Peking duck from Wai Ying Fast Food
• ASADO ROLL 🙁
• Visit churches

Top 3 Pop Food from this food crawl:

Marron – Shanghai Fried Siopao, Serenity’s Fried Chicken, Tikoy with Peanuts (Salazar Bakery)

Kean – Shanghai Fried Siopao, Dong Bei Dumpling, Kikiam (Serenity Restaurant)

Jeremiah – Dong Bei Dumpling, Knife Mien, Shanghai Fried Siopao

Angela – Xiaolongbao (Mezzanine Café), Shanghai Fried Siopao, Serenity’s Fried Chicken

CONCLUSION:

• For fuck’s sake, think before bringing a car. Parking was hella shitty. Or better yet, come early.
• If you think it’s good, eat it and enjoy it. Do not hesitate! Or you’ll regret the hell out of it.
• Start the food crawl early. Some restaurants are only open until late afternoon.
• Bring a water bottle. Trust me, it saves a lot.
• I should learn more about how to take good food photos.
• Good food is always better and cheaper when shared! We only spent not more than P500 each for all the food we ate.

*plays My New Swag from the film Crazy Rich Asians* so then again, I should do it more often.

Love always,

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