Because the world’s oldest Chinatown (established in 1594), Binondo in Manila is a widely known cultural and foodie haven. Right here, you’ll find a number of genuine hole-in-the-wall institutions serving all the pieces from flashy Cantonese-themed lauriat meals to homey Hokkien-style Tsinoy cooking. Nonetheless, there are over 100+ eating places within the space, so it may be fairly overwhelming to resolve the place to eat.
I’ve had the prospect to hitch a number of strolling and consuming excursions led by Ivan Man Dy of Outdated Manila Walks, so I’ve sampled a number of of the very best. Worldwide vacationers who need a information can be part of one in all his excursions to get a way of historical past and be taught extra in regards to the completely different institutions.
I’ve additionally gone again to Binondo with associates for food-tripping on numerous events, with the newest being a motorbike/meals journey in January 2024 as an early Chinese language New Yr Experience to see the newest developments within the space.
For individuals who need to discover on their very own, your greatest useful resource could be the Large Binondo Meals Wok map, the place Ivan lists all of the eating places, retailers and cultural factors of curiosity within the space. It’s simple sufficient to only go round and eat right here with associates wherever you need. Listed here are just some locations you may eat in Binondo.
Initially referred to as Ma Kong Mami, this institution nonetheless resembles a Nineteen Thirties eatery. It focuses on traditional mami noodles which include spring onions and asado sauce and siopao.
- Deal with: 931 Benavidez Avenue
- Suggestions: Mami noodles, siopao, siomai
- Fb: Masuki Mami Home
A humble hole-in-the-wall joint that’s gained fame for serving genuine do-it-yourself dumplings and potstickers within the fashion of the northeast of mainland China cooking.
Every thing right here is comprised of scratch inside the 4 corners of the partitions. Actually good dumplings particularly the kuchay with pork dumplings. Positively one in all my favorites in Binondo. (NOTE: As of January 2024, Dong Bei Dumplings solely permits take-out and now not accepts company for dine-in).
- Deal with: 642 E.T. Yuchengco St. cor. V. Tytana St., Binondo
- Suggestions: Pork dumplings, kuchay with pork dumping, deep-fried scallion desserts, stir-fried rooster with carrots and cucumber, Tofu Burger, Xiao Lengthy Bao, Wong Lo Kat drink
- Fb: Dong Bei Dumpling
In the event you’re within the temper to remain in a spot with a contemporary vibe in Binondo, Apologue is among the latest cafes you may go to. This minimalist cafe serves house-made pastries and desserts and coffee-based drinks.
Apologue is among the few cafes I noticed in Binondo that had precise bike racks, in order that’s a bonus for cyclists on espresso runs. Bestsellers right here embody the Sea Salt Latte and Tiramisu.
- Deal with: 934 Benavidez Avenue, Binondo, Manila
- Fb: Apologue
- Open day by day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Eng Bee Tin is a well-liked Chinese language deli that serves delicacies and hopia in attention-grabbing flavors like pastillas, pandan and creamy custard. I’m an enormous fan of their Crispy Mikiron.
Beginning in 2023, their flagship retailer alongside Ongpin now serves Fried Xiao Lengthy Bao however solely weekends. Count on lengthy traces! In addition they have frozen variations you may cook dinner at dwelling.
- Deal with: 628 Ongpin Avenue Binondo, Binondo
- Suggestions: Hopia Ube, Hopia Combi (2 in 1 taste), Mochipia (Hopia with Tikoy on the heart) , Hopia Custard and huge variants of hopia, Tikoy, Fried Xiao Lengthy Bao, Crispy Mikiron
- Fb: Eng Bee Tin
If you would like a style of nice eating in Binondo, one of many newer locations within the space to examine it’s Grand Cafe 1919. This restaurant is positioned in a previously deserted colonial-era constructing and goals to be Binondo’s culinary jewel, providing a singular nostalgia journey. Pictures of previous Manila cling throughout the restaurant’s partitions.
The restaurant serves pre-set Chinese language meals, style desserts, espresso and tea in addition to soup, salad, pasta, pizza, wagyu steak, dimsum, and extra.
An eatery that serves an ideal broad choice of very flavorful vegetarian meals. The feel and taste of their dishes are superb even for non-vegetarians. Good worth for cash. In addition they sells vegan substances, sauces and frozen meat right here. It’s a great wholesome different or the most suitable choice for vegans and vegetarians.
- Deal with: 739 Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila, 1006 Metro Manila
- Suggestions: Veggie Kare-kare, veggie sisig, mushrooms
- Value vary: P120 for combo meal with 3 viands
- Restaurant hours: Open day by day 7 am to 9 pm
This Volunteer Fireman’s Espresso Store focuses on consolation meals cooked Hokkien-style. All of the restaurant’s income is donated to Binondo Paco Hearth Search and Rescue Brigade.
- Deal with: 650 Ongpin cor. E.T. Yuchengco St. Binondo
- Suggestions: Kiampong (rice cooked with soy sauce, pork, veggies and topped with salted peanuts), Particular Fish Ball Soup (a light-weight soup with veggies and fishballs), Lo Tau Hu (Stir-fried tofu), Chilly kundol or Wintermelon tea, Soup#5
- Value vary: P90-P200/dish
- Restaurant hours: Monday to Saturday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm; Sunday 7:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Fb: Cafe Mezzanine
A small family-run eatery that serves Tsinoy-style spring rolls made principally of recent greens. For simply P50, the lumpia which accommodates crushed peanuts, seaweed and bihon bits, is surprisingly filling. Home made condiments and a candy and spicy sauce are served on the aspect.
A no-frills neighborhood institution that’s been round since 1968. They serve Tsinoy “lutong bahay” specialties and different unique recipes.
- Deal with: 637 Carvajal Avenue
- Suggestions: Ku-tsai-ah (empanada), Sate Mi noodles (pancit guisado with crispy kangkong), Deep-Fried Tofu drizzled with sate sauce, Fried lumpia
- Value vary: P40 – P200 per dish
A staple within the Binondo meals scene, this genuine Chinatown eatery serves Cantonese fashion dimsum, noodles and rice meals, at budget-friendly costs. It’s additionally a great place for espresso or tea if you happen to simply need to take a break in between all the opposite meals stops or late at evening as they’re open till the early morning.
- Deal with: Benavidez St., Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila
- Suggestions: Peking duck rice, dimsum, beef noodle soup, Iced espresso
- Restaurant hours: Open on a regular basis 7 am to 2am
A well-liked Cantonese dim sum place recognized for his or her seafood, siomai, congee, noodles, hakaw and cheong enjoyable. They serve some fairly good desserts like steamed custard buns with salted egg yolk and mango and sago jelly.
- Deal with: 809 Salazar St., Binondo
- Suggestions: Scallop dumpling, Peking duck, Steamed Custard Buns crammed with Salted Egg Yolk, Mango and Sago
- Value vary: P80-P400+ per dish
- Restaurant hours: 2:30 pm – 11:00 pm
A contemporary Chinese language cafe that serves some distinctive twists on typical Chinese language dishes. The restaurant turns right into a karaoke bar at evening.
- Deal with: 520 E.T. Yuchencgco Avenue, Binondo
- Suggestions: Awi’s Lo Bihon, Espresso Spareribs, Gabi Cake coated with scallions and greens, Kuapao
- Value vary: P130 – P220 per dish
- Restaurant hours: Monday to Saturday 8:00 am – 11:45 pm
- Fb: Awi’s Cafe & Restaurant
Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant is a family-owned institution specializing in wholesome and inexpensive Amoy dishes. They seemingly serve the best-tasting fried rooster in Binondo since 1956. Apart from rooster, they serve different specialties like BBQ spare ribs and oyster cake.
- Deal with: 497 E.T. Yuchengco (previously Nueva St.)
- Suggestions: Sincerity Fried Hen, BBQ Spare Ribs, Fried Oyster Cake, Fried Kikiam, Recent Lumpia, Shrimp Omelette, 8 Treasures Machang
- Value vary: P120 – P320/dish
- Restaurant hours: Monday to Saturday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm, Sunday 9:00 – 2:00 pm
- Fb: Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant
Adventurous foodies normally make a cease at Estero Quick Meals, so named as a result of it’s positioned proper subsequent to an “estero” or creek/canal. The hawker-style stalls, probably the most well-known of which is LGA Quick Meals, provide a spread of Filipino and Chinese language dishes together with a number of unique ones like Fried Frog’s Legs, which you’ll have cooked in numerous kinds (adobo, butter, fried in garlic, and many others.).
- Deal with: Brgy. 297, Santa Cruz, Manila
- Suggestions: Crispy fried garlic frog’s legs (eat at your individual danger)
- Value vary: P120 – P250 /dish
- Fb: Estero Quick Meals
This fine-dining restaurant positioned in Fortunate Mall Chinatown affords a wide range of Chinese language, seafood and Taiwanese specialties good for giant teams holding enterprise conferences or celebrating anniversaries and particular events. Meals right here is extra upscale and costly in comparison with a lot of the smaller eateries in Binondo.
- Deal with: 2/F Fortunate Chinatown Mall, Binondo
- Suggestions: Seafood with Spinach Soup, Shrimp Bombs (coated shrimp balls crammed with melted cheese), Dragon Boat (prawns seasoned with butter and melted cheese served with broccoli and crispy noodles), Peking Duck served 3 ways and Lapu-Lapu in Pomelo Sauce
- Value vary: P300-P2,800/dish relying on dimension
- Fb: King Chef
Situated on the Mezzanine degree or Ramada Manila Central, a lodge proper throughout the Binondo Church, Information Café affords Western and Asian all-day eating with themed buffets throughout weekends. The cafe is embellished with images of scenes of Outdated Chinatown.
- Deal with: Ramada Manila Central, Ongpin cor. Quintin Paredes
- Suggestions: Buffet
- Value vary: P595 for Emperor’s Lunch buffet (each Sunday)
- Web site: http://ramadamanilacentral.com/
A small however fashionable Taiwanese cafe that focuses on pungent tofu and sizzling potato. They serve milk teas, dessert, fruit juices, bubble drinks, do-it-yourself fruit soda and different attention-grabbing drinks. They’ve a clear and respectable restroom in comparison with some others within the space.
- Deal with: 630, 1006 Yuchengco St, Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila
- Suggestions: Mango Cheese Milk Tea Cowl, Oreo Milk Cheese Cowl
- Restaurant hours: Open on a regular basis 1pm – 10pm
Fred’s Revolucion is an indie watering gap in Escolta that serves breakfast meals, appetizers, espresso, cocktails, mainstream native beers and some craft beers on faucet.
- Deal with: Fred’s Revolucion, G/F First United Constructing, 413 Escolta St, Sta Cruz, Manila
- Suggestions: Brewed espresso, Craft beer
- Enterprise hours: Monday to Saturday 5:00 pm to 12:00 am
Uno Seafood Wharf Palace is a Chinese language restaurant that serves family-style Chinese language delicacies and has established itself as a Binondo favourite. Perfect for household celebrations and teams.
- Deal with: Uno Seafood Wharf Palace, Calvo Bldg., 270 Escolta St, Binondo
- Suggestions: Pan-fried oyster cake in Fookien fashion, Hong Kong Fashion crab meat Fuyong, assorted chilly cuts
- Restaurant hours: Monday to Sunday 11am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 11pm
Binondo has numerous stalls promoting all the pieces from Chinese language medication, dry items, books, toys, trinkets and recent fruits and delicacies. Cat not included.
Preserves and kiamoy
Conventional stalls the place you should buy completely different nuts and Chinese language preserves like plums, ginger preserves, dilis and kiamoy. An excellent stall is the one positioned on the finish of Carvajal avenue, Alley Market.
Recent Fruits
There are many stalls round Binondo promoting cherries, dragonfruit, strawberries, apples, persimmons, oranges, grapes and different fruits.
Ho-land Bakery
A family-owned bakery that sells an assortment of Tsinoy desserts, pastries and delicacies, together with their bestseller – hopia.
Polland Hopia
Polland Hopia has been making hopia or mung bean desserts since 1966. This department sells a wide range of hopia merchandise in addition to mooncakes, tikoy and plenty of others.
Shanghai Fried Siopao
This small stall sells completely different sorts of Chinese language meals – hopia, kikiam, cuapao, however their greatest vendor is the fried siopao, a meat bun crammed with meat and greens. In addition they promote ma-chang, flavored sticky rice with bits of rooster, pork and chestnut.
By public transport, the closest stations to Binondo are Carriedo on the LRT-11 line or Recto on the LRT-2. It’s additionally close to the Escolta Station of the Pasig River Ferry.
Binondo could possibly be an ideal food-trip biking vacation spot, however sadly, many institutions lack correct bike parking. In the event you’re bringing your bike to eat within the space, select streetside eating places the place you may simply keep watch over your bike and convey a motorbike lock.
Due to the site visitors congestion and slim one-way streets, it’s very troublesome to carry a automobile and discover parking within the space. Automotive homeowners could be higher off parking in Fortunate Chinatown Mall and strolling. A whole lot of locals use bikes, although avenue parking may be very restricted. When you get there, Binondo is greatest explored on foot or by taking a sidecar. I actually assume they shouldn’t permit vehicles in any respect in Binondo and simply make the streets absolutely for strolling and biking solely.
That is additionally one of many few areas in Metro Manila the place horse-drawn carriages or kalesas are nonetheless extensively used to get round.
- I extremely advocate you simply take the prepare or ferry to get right here as a substitute of taking a automobile to save lots of you the effort of discovering parking alongside the slim streets. You’ll be strolling more often than not when you get there anyway.
- Plan your route beforehand to maximise the variety of eating places you may strive throughout your meals journey.
- If you wish to avoid wasting cash on drinks, carry your individual water bottle.
- Carry reusable containers so you may take-out of meals!
- Put on easy, breathable garments and comfy strolling footwear. Depart the jewellery, fancy garments and designer baggage at dwelling.
- Preserve your bag safe and take additional care of your valuables particularly at instances when the place is additional crowded (Chinese language New Yr, and many others.)
- Binondo is greatest explored with associates so you may share a wide range of dishes. and have somebody to separate prices with.
