If anybody here who takes interest in Chinese culture and cuisine, well well there is a place in Manila where you could experience China. Like legit authentic everything-Chinese, Binondo Chinatown is the place for you! Established in 1594, making it the oldest in the world.
I was with my cousin and my friend helloteni (go check her out) so there were three of us. Helloteni made the itinerary and some of the photos are from her.
From Legarda, we took a jeep and dropped off at Quiapo wherein we started walking to Escolta (since taking a tour around Escolta is part of our itinerary). Mostly we ate. So this article is mostly about the most talked about chinese cuisines of Binondo.
*Fast forward to Binondo*
After the Quintin Paredes Street, we then took a detour at Caravajal Street, a market alley (it looked really pretty in my eyes!!!!). It was a street where students, employees, and commoners pass by. It was a plethora of stalls from restaurants & fruit stalls to clothing stores selling wide varieties of stuff.
We didnt try anything within the street, although my friend looked inside a merchandising store while my cousin & I bought a kilo of Pomelos where we bargained the price from P150 to P130.
We then stroll around the area. We passed by Wilson Street where my friend bought a Chicken Pie at Diao Eng Chay for P40 (I regretted not buying afterwards).
This part of the town was not really full of restaurants. Most of which are Chinese merchandising stores.
Another good thing about authentic-chinese restaurants is that they give you free house tea (O diba, sulit).
My favorite parts of the trip were Sincerity's fried chicken, the fried siopao and the Caravajal Street. The best part was that out of all the food we ate and places we were able to go (including Escolta & museum fees), we only spent at around P400/each.
P.S. Along Escolta Street is an artisan ice cream shop!!!!!! We bought a pint of Pistachio flavored ice cream for only P75. Can you imagine how happy I was?????? It was cheap but very very good. Although it is a bit pricey when you buy in scoops since it costs P30/scoop. I think a pint would be very good choice.
Between Escolta Street and the chinatown, we bought a box of hopia for P45 and shared an empanada which costs P25 at a branch of Ho-Land.
Inside the town, the first stop we had was at a daiso shop (but very very expensive) probably for collectors of Hello Kitty and other stuff.
Along 531 Quintin Paredes Street, we tried the famous Fresh Lumpia from New Po-Heng Lumpia House. You might get confused finding the store so take note that you have to enter an alley before you find it. It's like hidden but not really.
Their fresh lumpia, with a touch of sweet & spicy sauce, crushed peanuts, vegetables, tofu, and sugar was really good. Not only it is good but it's also cheap for a big roll. My friend and I shared a roll together so we spent only P25/each since a roll costs P50.
After the Quintin Paredes Street, we then took a detour at Caravajal Street, a market alley (it looked really pretty in my eyes!!!!). It was a street where students, employees, and commoners pass by. It was a plethora of stalls from restaurants & fruit stalls to clothing stores selling wide varieties of stuff.
We didnt try anything within the street, although my friend looked inside a merchandising store while my cousin & I bought a kilo of Pomelos where we bargained the price from P150 to P130.
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| After a number of times trying, we finally took a perfect picture lol |
The alley ends at Yuchengco Street wherein Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant is along the street. It has a simple interior and affordable menu (you'll never feel out of place nor intimidated). It was packed with people when we visited the place but I guess it has always been like that.
Since it opened in 1956, its fried chicken has been the bestseller. AND I AM TELLING YOU THEIR FRIED CHICKEN IS THE BEST FRIED CHICKEN I HAVE EVER TASTED!!!!!
We also tried their kikiam usually paired with the brown sauce (but I personally prefer the ketchup & hot sauce) and wintermelon iced tea since they are also known for that. It was three of us so we divided the payment and we only paid around 80 pesos each.
Fried Chicken - P160 (half) ; 200 (whole)
Kikiam - P55
Wintermelon Iced Tea - P40
We then stroll around the area. We passed by Wilson Street where my friend bought a Chicken Pie at Diao Eng Chay for P40 (I regretted not buying afterwards).
This part of the town was not really full of restaurants. Most of which are Chinese merchandising stores.
After passing through this welcome sign, rain poured down so we had to stop at a hotel where there was a boutique on the second floor which sells very very very expensive branded clothes (Gucci, Chanel, LV, etc). And since there were Chinese people shopping, it felt like I was in a Kevin Kwan book.
Along Benavidez Street, we ate at Wai Ying Fastfood where I ordered Soy Chicken enriched with chinese flavoring which by the way, has a plentiful serving and is worth it for P150. It's so soy-i and very Chinese.
After which, we tried the fried siopao at Shanghai Fried Siopao in Sabino Padilla Street for only P20!!!!!! Filled with ground meat and mixed veggies, I must say it is one of the best siopaos ever!!! Highly recommended.
It was pouring so hard while we walked in the famous Ongpin Street. That part of the street mostly sells gold and (chinese) jewelries and so my friend was able to canvass gold for her to sell. Our journey ended at Carriedo Fountain & Sta. Cruz Church. I'm not sure if we're allowed to throw coins in the fountain, but still we did. (Baka wishing fountain eh, sayang ang chance)
Another good thing about authentic-chinese restaurants is that they give you free house tea (O diba, sulit).
My favorite parts of the trip were Sincerity's fried chicken, the fried siopao and the Caravajal Street. The best part was that out of all the food we ate and places we were able to go (including Escolta & museum fees), we only spent at around P400/each.
P.S. Along Escolta Street is an artisan ice cream shop!!!!!! We bought a pint of Pistachio flavored ice cream for only P75. Can you imagine how happy I was?????? It was cheap but very very good. Although it is a bit pricey when you buy in scoops since it costs P30/scoop. I think a pint would be very good choice.
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