Sshh…We’ll let you in on Binondo’s best-kept foodie secrets
When in Binondo, let your nose take you to places. After all, our taste buds need to travel, too. Binondo is a hodgepodge of smells: there are the sweet, fresh fruit stands in the corner, Chinese incense shops, fresh flowers, and preserved Chinese medicines. But the most exciting aroma comes from the often cheap yet delicious eateries. Many holes-in-the-wall have no names—just follow where the locals line up for quick eats or, again, follow the trail of aromas wafting out of the kitchens. I just joined Ivan Man Dy and his The Big Binondo Food Wok. We nibbled our way around Binondo’s intimate alleys in a three-hour no-break culinary experience. Come join.
New Po Heng Lumpia House
(Rosario, Quintin Paredes St.)
Located in a vintage 1930s apartment, New Po Heng Lumpia House, as its name suggests, offers lumpia (spring roll) Chinese-style. Unlike the Filipino lumpiang sariwa many are used to, New Po Heng has freshly rolled lumpia—with the consistency of shawarma—served with anise seeds, sweetened Chinese-style soy sauce, fried seaweeds, and hot sauce. For P70, each lumpia roll has generous servings of veggies and meat, finely cut and perfectly rolled. Each lumpia is a labor of love, says Ivan, because of the manual chopping of ingredients. In authentic Chinese families, fresh lumpia is served on special occasions.
New Po Heng Lumpia House
(Rosario, Quintin Paredes St.)
Located in a vintage 1930s apartment, New Po Heng Lumpia House, as its name suggests, offers lumpia (spring roll) Chinese-style. Unlike the Filipino lumpiang sariwa many are used to, New Po Heng has freshly rolled lumpia—with the consistency of shawarma—served with anise seeds, sweetened Chinese-style soy sauce, fried seaweeds, and hot sauce. For P70, each lumpia roll has generous servings of veggies and meat, finely cut and perfectly rolled. Each lumpia is a labor of love, says Ivan, because of the manual chopping of ingredients. In authentic Chinese families, fresh lumpia is served on special occasions.
Dong Bei
(Ongpin St.)
Pray to the gods before heading straight to Dong Bei. It’s a small eatery that can only accommodate 20 persons at a time. Feel lucky if you are seated right away. Gather your patience as each serving of jiao zi (dumpling) in vegetarian, with cabbage, with celery, with kuchay, pork, or shrimp, will surely melt your waiting time away. Each jiao zi is handmade and perfect with chili oil or sweet soy sauce dip.
King Chef
(Lucky Chinatown Mall)
Although it’s not part of Ivan’s wok tour, King Chef at Lucky Chinatown Mall also deserves a foodie stop because it’s near and it’s now offering its new menu. Known for its seafood fares and dumplings, King Chef reinvents its offerings with budget-friendly options. Among its newest dishes are Dragon Boat, which is prawns seasoned with butter and melted cheese served with broccoli and noodles; lapu lapu in pomelo sauce; Shrimp Bombs, crispy coated shrimp balls with melted creamy cheese in the inside; and Peking duck with salt and pepper.
The Big Binondo Food Wok changes its foodie itinerary every now and then. www.oldmanilawalks.com
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