PS goes to Binondo

One day before the scheduled Binondo photo walk, we still don’t have an itinerary. Being scheduled on a Sunday, we have limited places to go to as most of the shops and eating places in Binondo were closed. The itinerary I made was based on the places we went to during The Alcove’s Binondo photo trip two years ago and from the food blogs I read.

this is gonna be a long read.... here goes.... the PS version of the Big Binondo Food Wok!

Starbucks –

I included Starbucks because this is our meeting place. When I arrived at around 9AM, I found Marrah enjoying her frappucino. Mitch came and ordered breakfast. I opted not to eat (I had breakfast with M at home), as I was looking forward to the gastronomic delights that await me.

Trivia: most establishment names in Binondo have chinese translation.

the view of Plaza San Ruiz from my seat at Starbucks.

By 10:30 AM, Adet and Lucky arrived and we’re ready to start. First stop was Plaza Calderon dela Barca, also known as Plaza de Binondo, and now known as Plaza San Ruiz along Gen Luna. Plaza San Ruiz, lined with trees and fountains on either ends, is where you can find monuments of Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint and Tomas Pinpin, the father of Philippine printing.

the statue of Lorenzo Ruiz







Binondo Church - Across the street is the Binondo Church, also known as the Basilica de San Ruiz. Built in 1596, one of the oldest places of Christian worship in the Philippines.





Binondo Church interior


Lucky posing in front of Lucky Hotel

At the right side of Binondo Church is Eng Bee Tin. I’m sure everyone is familiar with EBT’s Ube hopia. Another must see attraction are the purple fire trucks parked at the side of Binondo Church which EBT donated to the community. Marrah wanted to buy hopia but upon seeing the long line inside, changed her mind.





Lots of materials for the FPPF monthly theme - complimentary colors

We went inside the baptistry at the back of the church where we found these men doing floral arrangements.

Across Binondo Church, along Ongpin Street, near EBT, was the oldest chocolate factory La Resurrecion. But the girl manning the store told me that they transferred the chocolate making to their factory in Caloocan. They only now have the small store selling tablea.

Dong Bei Dumplings - our first meal… officially. With a map at hand and a few questions here and there, we finally found the unassuming small restaurant. I first tasted dong bei dumplings when I joined The Alcove’s An afternoon in Binondo photo trip two years ago. Also, this is a very popular topic in food blogs about Binondo and a part of Ivan Henares’ Big Binondo Food Wok. According to food blogs, Dong Bei dumplings were the best in Binondo. At the front window, a table was set up where one can see the dumplings (and wrapper) being made upon order. We ordered 2 plates of steamed kutchay and pork dumplings (14 pcs/order) and 1 order of kutchay and pork pancakes (fried) washed down with a canned chinese tea drink called Wong Lo Kat . It tasted like black grass jelly, which I really love! Sino na nga ba yung nagtanong, ano ba yung kutchay sa english? Was it marrah or Adet? Kutchay in English is chives. I love the dipping sauce, while marrah asked for toyo. Dong Bei is located at 642 Yuchengco St.

Dong Bei's store front














steamed kutchay and pork dumplings P100/14pcs


pork & kutchay filled pancakes P100/4 pcs





taste like grass jelly


napa-wow si adetsky....






back to Ongpin street, nagkalat ang "lucky"


Shrine of Santo Cristo de Longos - Fueled and recharged, we continued walking. our next stop should be the Santo Cristo de Longos. But walking on the other side of the street, we missed it. A kindly chinese couple became our instant tour guide. They must have seen us confused over my printed map. So, we went back towards Binondo church along Ongpin Street. On one corner, passed the Welcome Arch, we found the Shrine on one side of a building. It’s a fusion of Catholic and Chinese religious beliefs. It was adorned with sampaguita garlands, incense sticks, Legend has it that a deaf-mute Chinese found the crucifix in an old well and regained his speech.







Shrine of Santo Cristo de Longos


Carvajal Market was on the list of our itinerary. But it was closed on a Sunday. Along Ongpin and Salazar streets though, were numerous fruit and vegetable stalls and carts. Broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, dragon fruits, ponkan oranges, persimmons, apples and my favorite red anjou pears.

Carvajal street, devoid of fruit stalls on a sunday


Salazar Street - We went back to Ongpin Street and turned right to Salazar Street and went inside Shin Tai Shang, a large store selling Chinese pastries, and other food items. I got curious with the pineapple cakes because of the nice, colorful packaging and different flavors. There were food items in hello kitty boxes, and some items that reminded me of the offerings in my first chinese wedding engagement/tea ceremony party.

pineapple cakes in different flavors



I bought 3 flavors - green tea, golden pineapple, and multigrain

We went inside Breadworks, at first just to look at the pretty cakes, but the alembongs ended up having cheese bread (while I had one of my pineapple cakes) and orange minute maid.

Strawberry cake


my pineapple cake and minute maid orange juice, the crust is buttery but a bit crumbly.

Maki At Maki House - From Salazar Street, we turned right to Benavides street. Passing by Maki house, Marrah and I couldn’t help but go inside to try the maki. M loved maki and my MIL would always cook it whenever we’re in cebu for vacations. And I have read that the restaurant served very good maki. We ordered one large bowl of pork maki and a plate of giant siomai and asked for 5 mini bowls. Grabe! The siomais were so big, the four giant siomais were equivalent to 12-16 regular sized siomai found in most food establishments. It was soooo delicious. The maki soup was so thick…. I loved it!

a large bowl pork maki P100


paired with 4 giant siomais P80


Peking Duck - While inside Maki house, Elise texted that she’s on her way. We decided to wait for her outside maki house. I went over to the next shop, where they offer siopao, machang, more siomai. Moving on to the adjacent shop, was the Waiying, with peking ducks hanging on the front window railings. I went inside and asked if they have the peking duck wrapped in flat thin bread with hoisin sauce. Buti na lang wala, otherwise, that would be meal #4. I contemplated on buying the peking duck to bring home though. Sobrang rich lang kasi ng peking duck… parang lechon…. And ang mahal!!! :P






peking ducks and asado pork hanging by the window

Hand Pulled Noodles - Elise arrived and the next stop was check out the hand pulled noodles at Lan Zhou Lamien. Since Elise hasn’t eaten yet, we decided to try the hand pulled noodle soup. Got some photographs of the noodles being made by hand. On my second attempt (kasi medyo blurry yung shots ko), bawal pala kunan ng pictures… oh well…. Again, we shared one bowl of beef noodle soup, while Elise had one bowl of noodles to herself. What can I say…. hay…. the noodles alone were…. MASARAP! Pano pa yung soup? The beef cubes were …. Oh so flavorful and very tender, it melts in your mouth. Hay….

making hand made noodles is such a sight to behold... we were mesmerized



Beef Noodle Soup



Elise enjoying her noodles.



the bowl of noodles i shared with Lucky

Next stop… Salido restaurant for the siphon brewed coffee. This time, we were so full from eating a lot, no one wants to eat anymore. Leine and Myk arrived. We are nearing the end of our itinerary. Pagod na rin kami. We decided to go back to Ongpin and maybe go to UST for more shooting.

Estero - We passed by the estero eateries. We went inside since Leine and Myk haven’t eaten yet. Leine & Myk ordered pansit (yung craving ni mitch), yangchow fried rice and a fried dimsum, whose name I forgot. I was tired from the walking and eating, I’m beginning to feel sleepy. We ditched the UST trip and decided to have coffee at the piazza in Mckinley (Makati).

tagal ko pinagisipan if i'm getting frog legs


our 6th meal for the day - pansit, dimsum and yang chow fried rice from estero

On our way to the parking area, we passed by Maki house again so Leine can order the giant siomai to take home. I got a bowl of pork maki for M and ube hopia and sweets for the kids at Eng Bee Tin. I also bought broccoli at 100 pesos for 5 heads of florets..

The Piazza at the Venice - Last stop was at The Venice in McKinley where we watched the outdoor opera show for a while, did long exposure shots at the fountain. Then coffee at CBTL. I had brewed coffee with pistachio sans rival. By 9:30PM, I went home ahead of everyone. I wanted to stay for more sisterhood bonding but I was so tired and felt I’m gonna be sick again. I still have coughing spells. And have to prepare for a lunch meeting the next day.

pistachio sans rival and brewed coffee for me....

We still missed some goodies like the chinese lumpia, the mamon luk, the mazuki restaurant, taho-tofu ni adet. More reasons for a binondo photo walk part 2 ….