Have you bin to Binondo?
Ah, Binondo. While it really is just a stone’s throw away, the traffic and crowds are reason enough for some people to forego a visit to our very own Chinatown. You are missing out people! Some of the best Chinese food hides in the crevices of Manila.
If you still won’t budge, that’s fine. When your loved ones make a trip to Binondo, be sure to bat your eyelashes and ask for pasalubong from one (or all) of these places!
Updated: Check out the Top 10 Most Loved Restaurants in Manila last month!
Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant – E.T. Yuchengco (formerly Nueva)
Try a different kind of fried chicken at Sincerity with a side of the special oyster cake and the classic kikiam. These flavors bring back so many memories. Definitely a must-try if you want to take a trip back memory lane, no other restaurant has been able to copy their homegrown secret recipe.
No reservations accepted
View the full menu
View their Instagram account
497 ET Yuchengco St (formerly Nueva), Binondo, Manila
(02) 241-9991
Quick Snack – Carvajal
Here’s a place where you can literally get a quick snack. If you fancy that authentic Manila streets feel, try this hidden gem located along a popular wet market alley called Carvajal Street. They have fried Lumpia, Satay Noodles and Kuchay Ah.
No reservations accepted
View the full menu
637 Carvajal St., Binondo, Manila
(02) 242-9572
Dong Bei Dumplings – E.T. Yuchengco (formerly Nueva)
A tiny hole-in-the-wall dumpling place away from the busy Ongpin, where you can watch their expert lady rollers roll dumplings all day long. It’s mesmerizing how they work with these dumplings – making it their unique art form.
No reservations accepted
View the full menu
642 ET Yuchengco St., Binondo, Manila
(02) 241-8912
Salazar Bakery – Ongpin St.
If you want to go with the classic, check out Salazar Bakery. They have all sorts of breads and Chinese delicacies that your parents and grandparents still buy up to this the day.
No reservations accepted
783 Ongpin St., Binondo, Manila
(02) 733-1392
Also read: 15 of Binondo's Best Kept Secret Restaurants You MUST Visit
Ho-land Hopia & Bakery – E.T. Yuchengco St.
Your Binondo experience will not be complete until you visit Ho-Land Hopia! Open since the 1960’s, Ho-land Hopia has been serving the Binondo foodies with their heart-warming Hopia.
Did you know?
Ho’ – in Chinese, means ‘GOOD’ while ‘pia’ means ‘CAKE’ or ‘PASTRY’
No reservations accepted
View the full menu
View their Instagram account
Carvajal St. corner E.T. Yuchengco St., Binondo, Manila
(02) 242-9595
Eng Bee Tin – Ongpin St.
Standing on the most popular and busiest crossing on Ongpin St., especially on Chinese New Year. Known for their signature purple color, even the owner Gerry, fondly called “Mr. Ube”, is always seen in a purple t-shirt polo.
No reservations accepted
View the full menu
View their Instagram account
650 Ongpin St. corner ET Yuchengco St., Binondo, Manila
(02) 288-8888
Lord Stow’s Bakery – Ongpin
Aside from its store signage, there’s a big chance that you’ll miss the amazing Macau egg tarts that are hidden inside this bakery because its main glass door and windows have dark tint. No free taste needed, they’re just awesome like that.
No reservations accepted
View the full menu
G/F Unit E Imperial Sky Garden, 707 Ongpin St., Binondo, Manila
(02) 247-3305
New Po-Heng Lumpia House – Quintin Paredes St.
For the thrill-seekers out there, their entrance would feel like an adventure. Once you’re in, you get to see how their Lumpia is made with all their Lumpia artists. It can get quite messy but rest assured, it’s a beautiful mess.
No reservations accepted
531 Quintin Paredes St., Binondo, Manila
(02) 241-8789
Shanghai Fried Siopao – Ongpin
This one’s really easy to miss. If you’ve walked passed T. Alonzo St. coming from Binondo Church, then you’ve already missed it by a little. Just watch out for that white sign that says SHANGHAI FRIED SIOPAO (and maybe that ‘Wanted: Boy’ sign will still be there) so you’ll know you’ve come to the right place. This one’s definitely a unique find in Ongpin–get the same old trusty siopao with a toasted bottom.
No reservations accepted
View the full menu
Ongpin corner T. Alonzo St., Binondo, Manila
Tasty Dumplings – Norberto Ty St. (formerly Condesa St.)
They are most known for their lean and big fried porkchops, but they’re better off eaten fresh from the kitchen. That said, their dumplings and noodles are a whole new experience, don’t forget to ask for their chili sauce. The wintermelon juice and soya milk are also crowd favorites. You really can’t go wrong here.
No reservations accepted
View the full menu
641 Norberto Ty (formerly Condesa) St., Binondo, Manila
(02) 242-5195
Awi’s Cafe & Restaurant – E.T. Yuchengco St.
If you’re looking for siopao that’s not ‘angpao’, Awi’s special asado and bola-bola siopaos are your best bang-for-buck bet; not to mention their radish cake, which you can also take home frozen.
Reservations are accepted
View the full menu
View their Instagram account
520 ET Yuchengco St., Binondo, Manila
(02) 241-2961
Ying Ying Tea House – Dasmariñas St.
If you see stacks of dim sum baskets on a corner street, then you’ve come to the right place. Half sister of the more famous Wai Ying Dimsum restaurant, Ying Ying serves the biggest and chunkiest shrimp siomai in town.
No reservations accepted
View the full menu
233-235 Dasmarinas St. corner ET Yuchengo St., Binondo, Manila
(02) 710-3856
Bee Tin Grocery – Ongpin St.
Probably the perfect store for your pasalubong needs before you get out of Binondo. It’s a grocery store for all things Chinese – from various chips to dried delicacies. Don’t forget to put this on your list when you take that Ongpin Adventure!
No reservations accepted
733-735 Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila
(02) 243-3453
Uno Seafood Wharf Palace – Escolta
Something simple to take home from this ‘Palace’ is their Baked Chicken Pie. Their place obviously says SEAFOOD but their chicken pie is one of their hidden must-try’s.
Reservations are accepted
View the full menu
270 Escolta St., Calvo Bldg. Binondo, Manila
(02) 232-1054
Take us with you on your next Binondo trip! Tag us on Instagram @bookyapp and use the hashtag #bookymanila to share your food adventures with us!
Once in a while, try to get out of your comfort zone and explore the world as it is. Pretty sure you’ll get to learn and taste new things that you won’t see at your go-to restaurants. Remember, adventure is out there!
Binondo Bonus:
Peanut Cart
It’s not exactly for pasalubong but it’s great to munch on while roaming the busy streets of Chinatown. The only peanut cart in Binondo located along the long-stretched Quintin Paredes. If you found Ho-land Hopia, it’s right at the other end of Carvajal market, cross the street and follow the smell. Passersby easily get attracted because of the aromatic garlic smell, and don’t be surprised if you see lots of locals queuing to get an order.
