Sunday, February 10, 2013

Chinese New Year 2013 at Binondo, Manila

It all started last year when a few friends decided to go to Binondo to celebrate Chinese New Year. Then I think it became a tradition. =) We came not just for the festivities but also to indulge in good food. 
1.) First stop is to buy my favorite hopia from Ho-land Bakery. You can also buy there other Chinese delicacies.
Address: 551 Yuchengco St. cor. Carvajal Binondo Manila
2.) We planned to eat lunch at Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant but unfortunately they were open for take-out only so we brought it home instead. Sincerity is known for their fried chicken and it was indeed full of flavor that you no longer need sauce.
Address: 497 Yuchengco St. Binondo Manila
While walking we saw lots of finger food, tikoy and lucky charms.
3.) Another place you shouldn't miss is Po-heng's Lumpia House. For P50.00 you can have a big healthy snack. It's quite hard to locate this place probably because it's hidden. They make the best lumpia with fresh ingredients. They also serve Maki Soup (P55) which is perfect for merienda. I'll try this in my next visit.
Address: Uy Su Bin Bldg.531 Quintin Paredes St., BinondoManila
4.) We had lunch at Awi's Cafe and Restaurant which was featured in one of the episodes of Cityscape (a travel and lifestyle show). We ordered their famous Lomi which was perfect (P130) and coffee spareribs (230) - both good for sharing. Their lechong kawali and chicken with lemon sauce were also great.
Address:  520 E.T. Yuchengco Street, Binondo, City of Manila 
5.) Cafe Mezzanine would be the most famous restaurant in Binondo because it is never empty and because all of the revenues are donated to Binondo Paco Fire Search and Rescue Brigade. It's a good business with a good cause. We had some light snacks -- french fries (P55) and siomai (P60) because we were still full with all the food that we ate from Awi's. We also watched the dragon dance from the second floor window. 
Address: 650 Ongpin corner E.T. Yuchengco Sts., Binondo Manila
6.) I kind of missed some of the goodies from my HK trip last year good thing Binondo has the Mandarin Supermarket where I could buy my favorite juice, canned coffee, biscuits and other favorite Chinese goods. Could you spot the giant lollipop? I'm sure you wouldn't miss it. 
Address: G/F Mandarin Square Bldg. 777 Ongpin St. Binondo Manila
7. My brother who used to work at Binondo told me about Crepe de Chine. He asked me to buy Taco Mexicano (P170) which was so huge and filling. My friends ordered desserts and I tried their Pizza Crepe (P140) which was so cheesy that's why I loved it. Their fresh mango shake was a great fix to end my merienda. The place was quite far from the busy streets of Binondo. It was a perfect place to hang-out and chill and enjoy their cozy swings.
Address: World Trade Exchange Bldg. 215 Juan Luna cor Dasmarinas St. Binondo Manila
I'm not superstitious but there's no harm in buying charms that could bring you luck right? Just in case it would work, I bought a charm bracelet for the year of the Ox for P80. =)
8. Aling Carina, our Chinese friend, used to bring us this famous Shanghai Fried Siopao. Everytime I go to Binondo I always buy this for baon and pasalubong. 
Address: corner of Ongpin St. and Bahama St.
The highlight of the festivities -- Dragondance.
We even saw Ivan Dy with his tour group. 
9-10. This pic was taken last year. I just wanted to share this since we're talking about the great food finds in Binondo. I loved the Kuchay dumplings from Tasty Dumplings and Waiying's hakaw.
Address: Tasty Dumplings - 620 Ongpin St. Binondo Manila
Address: Waiying - 810 Benavidez St. Binondo Manila 
It was again a fun experience with my friends. Every meal was delicious! Can't wait for 2014, probably by that time I would have tried every restaurant in Binondo (I wish!) 
I hope everyone would have a prosperous year ahead! =)

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