Binondo Foodtrip: 5 Gen Z-Approved Chinese Restaurants to Try with Your Friends

You can never consider yourself a true ‘foodie’ until you have explored Binondo. This Manila district is recognized as the world’s oldest Chinatown, dating back to the early 1590s. Although it was founded during the Spanish period, it has long been a busy trading center for Chinese merchants. Today, Binondo is well-known for its Chinese cuisines and rich culture. Many Filipinos and Chinoys alike often visit with their friends and family to try the best noodles, dumplings, and more. A lot of changes have happened over the years but the food in the Philippines’ Little China remains as good as ever. If you’re searching for inexpensive restaurants in Binondo to try with your friends, here are five places to start:

1. Ying Ying Tea House

This well-known three-story tea establishment at the intersection of Yuchengco Street and Dasmarinas Street is regarded as one of Binondo’s classics. It is quite popular on the weekends, holidays, and during peak hours. Despite the long lines, the cuisine is excellent, and you will be quickly accommodated once it’s your turn. We recommend trying their bestselling hakaw, a classic type of Chinese dumpling, from their broad menu. They are also known for their pork siomai, sweet and sour fish fillet, and chicken feet.

Price range: Php 200 to Php 2,400

2. Wai Ying

If you’re searching for affordable dim sum in Binondo, this restaurant is a good option. Their two-story outpost on Benavidez Street is frequently crowded, but the beautiful décor and delectable food make the wait worthwhile. Moreover, the service is prompt and responsive, so you won’t have to wait long for your orders. If the main branch is full, they have satellite branches throughout Binondo. Best-sellers at Wai Ying include beef mami, mixed meat congee, curry beef brisket rice, honey baked rib rice, roasted duck rice, hakaw, siomai, steamed spareribs, chicken taro roll, vegetable dumpling, roasted suckling pig, fried-style noodles, lemon chicken, fish fillet, and more.

Price range: Php 55 to Php 3,800

3. Chuan Kee Binondo and Cafe Mezzanine

Chuan Kee Binondo, which is considered to be the oldest fast food restaurant in Chinatown, delivers authentic and freshly produced Chinese food in turo-turo style. The famed hopia store Eng Bee Tin is nearby, and on the second story is Cafe Mezzanine, an elegant Binondo restaurant serving wonderful meals. If you go to Chuan Kee Binondo, we recommend trying their dim sum specials. Among these are xiao long bao, hakaw, and pork dumplings. Rice toppings such as beef tendon and chicken are also available. Cafe Mezzanine, on the other hand, has a large menu that includes dim sum items like xiao long bao, shrimp dumplings, and lava pao. They also provide main courses such as beef broccoli and chop suey.

Price range: Php 120 to Php 500

4. President Grand Palace

President Grand Palace Restaurant originally opened its doors in 1979, serving Chinese and seafood cuisine. This vintage Ongpin Street restaurant debuted as an authentic Chinese food institution and has since become popular with both travelers and locals. This restaurant, which has been one of Manila’s most renowned diners for more than four decades, has been admired for its authentic Cantonese cuisine. After all, Cantonese food is one of China’s top regional cuisines due to its delicate, refreshing, and authentic flavor. We recommend trying its shark’s fin dishes, bird’s nest dishes, pigeon dishes, duck dishes, scallop and oyster dishes, fish dishes, crab and prawn dishes, beef dishes, hog dishes, chicken dishes, vegetable dishes, soups and noodles, and cold cuts.

Price range: Php 200 to Php 1,000+

5. Tasty Dumplings

This humble restaurant is well-known for its exquisite Chinese comfort food. We recommend trying their iconic fried pork chop rice, fried meatball rice, spare ribs rice, chicken leg rice, and other rice plates in addition to their delicious dumplings. Soups such as dumpling soup and meatball soup are also available at the restaurant. The food is also reasonably priced, making it a popular choice for satisfying one’s cravings.

Binondo truly is a great place to experience authentic and affordable Chinese food. Have fun with your friends and family as you try out our recommended Chinese restaurants.

Price range: Php 38 to Php 300

Binondo truly is a great place to experience authentic and affordable Chinese food. Have fun with your friends and family as you try out our recommended Chinese restaurants.