Food Tripping in Manila's Chinatown

Considered one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world, Manila's Chinatown, or Ongpin to some, is a place full of history and gastronomic discoveries that every Lafangero can enjoy. From their round and colorful fruits that are often symbolizes good luck to sticky and oily Chinese dishes that are just so hard to resist, Chinatown is one place every good eater must experience.

Different Flavors of Tikoy

If you are going tomorrow to see and experience the celebration of Chinese New Year here in Ongpin, make sure that your feet and your tummy, as well as your pockets, are ready for a unique fusion of Chinese and Filipino cultures in a place where food and history go hand-in-hand.

For fresh fruits, the stretch of Ongpin Street is basically full of vendors selling different kinds, mostly rounded. There are some who gives good discount, while there are others that are quite okay. There are also some stores that sell fruits that you won't usually see in other stores or places except here in Ongpin Street. Do check out Carvajal Street for you to know what I am saying.

For some fine dining, the Ramada Manila Central Hotel in Binondo is a great place for those who opt some decent and good Chinese food. I was able to enjoy their offering last Chinese New Year, and with choices that vary from soup, vegetable dishes and dim sum, Ramada Manila Central is the place to be for those who are kinda sossy and have budget.

Ramada Manila Central

Ongpin Cor Quintin Paredes Sts., Binondo, Manila

Beside the hotel is one of the busiest restaurants in the district,  the Tasty Dumplings. And right after that is the famous Eng Bee Tin, which sells Chinese delicacies such as hopia, dim sum, siopao and tikoy - my favorite from them, aside from their hopia.

For some good tasting and affordable dim sums I highly suggest Dong Bei.

Dong Bei

642 Yuchengo Street, Binondo, Manila

Offering authentic and really affordable Chinese goodies like xiao long bao, pork dumpling, shrimp  dumpling and vegetable dumpling, for those who are health conscious, Dong Bei is definitely Chinatown's dumpling heaven.

Just make sure that you visit this place early because due to limited space, the place fills up with hungry Lafanggeros as soon as they open their doors. Promise, you won't regret eating here.

While for those who opt heavy meals, there's this one place that I really, really love! From rice meals, noodles, dim sum to roasted ducks, Wai Ying is a place that I will keep on visiting here in Chinatown.

Wai Ying Fastfood

927 Benavidez Street, Binondo, Manila

From steamed to fried, Wai Ying's dim sums are as good as authentic Chinese dishes. They offer dim sums from fish, pork to shrimp that are really pleasurable to anyone who love these bite size Chinese food.

As for the heavy dishes, there's the good tasting noodles and congees, which are great for this cold weather here in Manila. They also have those rice toppings, but of course, if you wanna enjoy your Chinese food trip here in Chinatown, you'll get these two. 

Just make sure that you have a big tummy or you are with family and friends because the serving size of each bowl is actually good enough for three.

But my most favorite here in Wai Ying is definitely their Bola-bola Siopao.

With their Hoisin Sauce, oh, you must really, really try this!

Happy Chinese New Year to all Chinese Lafanggeros out there!

Kiong Hee Huat Tsai!

Happy eating!