Binondo’s food treasures Part 1
Binondo is a district of Manila that once enjoyed the status of being the country’s premier financial district, that is, before the move to Makati in the late 1970s. Today, it is the home turf of Chinese businessmen, traders and restaurateurs.
Back in the Spanish era, Binondo (from the word Binundok, meaning mountains) was the place for Chinese immigrants who have converted to Catholicism. Binondo Church sits proudly in the middle of a hustling and bustling commercial district where fortunes are made and lost. It is the hometown of the world’s first Filipino saint, Lorenzo Ruiz, who happens to be a Chinese mestizo.
Soaking in all that history was very exhausting, and there was the immediate need for us to soak in some authentic Chinese grub.
Walking along Ongpin, I saw a lot of shops that sell everything from Chinese herbal medicine to snake blood. We entered one of the esteros (canals) to check out the food, but then I felt myself drawn to the end of the hallway where I saw this sign.
So in we all went just to see why there were so many people dining inside this unsightly-looking restaurant. And this was what we saw.
So it’s not a pretty sight, but what makes people flock to their place?
Seen above is tender beef on top of a bed of fresh flat noodles. Since my doctor recommended against eating beef for a month, I decided to check out the other fare that they had which will not conflict with my doctor’s orders.
An order of these scallops only cost P130.00 (US$2.90).
This Machang cost P60.00 (US$1.33)
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The fish was cooked on top of a layer of silk tofu. This is only a half order P80.00 (US$1.80). A full order is P160.00 (US$3.60).
All very, very delicious! Plus they let us use the function room because we were a large group.
We left the place with a big, fat tummy and bigger smiles.
Comments
Comment from Prudence
Time: July 7, 2008, 1:35 am
Nom nom nom! Looks like you had a gastronomical experience! I kinda miss Binondo. It’s been a while.
Comment from nina
Time: July 7, 2008, 1:56 am
Hey Arpee! I’m glad you and Noreen enjoyed our mini-food tour. Looking forward to reading what you have to say about Dong Bei!
Comment from Arpee
Time: July 7, 2008, 8:11 am
to diane: that is true, which is why whenever i dine in a chinese restaurant, i always keep in mind my favorite saying, “ignorance is bliss”
to prudence: you must visit binondo one of these days.
to nina: we had a wonderful time at our food tour. it was straight-forward and no pretensions. i’m saving my words for Dong Bei. for me it was the highlight of the event!
Comment from Melo
Time: July 7, 2008, 8:53 am
wow ambilis… hopefully i can finish my post before weekend.. haha
Comment from eric
Time: July 7, 2008, 1:51 pm
next time naman! sarap sarap ng food!!!
Comment from Karla
Time: July 7, 2008, 2:16 pm
I’ve always wanted to try out the food places in Binondo but haven’t had the chance. And must I say, I am wondering how Noreen maintains her figure with all this eating and food blogging! What’s your secret, Noreen?
P.S. What’s the machang? It looks like the biko that I know, but I seem meat in it.
Comment from Karla
Time: July 7, 2008, 2:17 pm
Opps. I meant, I see meat in it.
Comment from Alexei
Time: July 7, 2008, 5:34 pm
wow looks like a restaurant worth visiting one of these days. There’s a great dimsum place behind the church, near the drugstore. errr.. somewhere there. hehe
Comment from Arpee
Time: July 7, 2008, 10:30 pm
to melo: work on your blog na! will looking forward to seeing the pictures.
to eric: yes, i love nina for planning the whole thing!
to karla: the machang is sticky rice with pork and chicken in it. noreen does belly dancing and badminton, but she still thinks she’s fat, hehehe.
to alexei: that restaurant you are talking about is my next post. thanks for gracing my blog!
Comment from Tom
Time: July 8, 2008, 1:43 pm
The food looks so delicious! We love Chinese dishes too and I’m drooling. When was the last time I’d been to Binondo? I think it’s more than a decade ago.
Comment from Ryan
Time: July 17, 2008, 8:07 pm
That machang looks delicious! I haven’t had that in a looooooooooooooong time!
Comment from lex
Time: July 23, 2008, 12:47 pm
tsinoy ako and my dad loves to eat in that place with my angkong. the best yung beef dishes nila. sayang bawal pala sa iyo. thanks for this post.
Comment from Arpee
Time: July 23, 2008, 10:00 pm
to tom: it is high time to visit binondo. treasures abound in every turn.
to ryan: you should try the machang. it’s the best i’ve had so far.
to lex: the place is known for it’s beef. actually, i did try some and it was worth the gouty pain! hehehe. thanks for gracing my blog!
Comment from Diane
Time: July 7, 2008, 1:04 am
Chinese restaurants are known for their not-so-enticing kitchen. But heck, their food is delicioso!