Want to celebrate Chinese New Year with your barkada but don’t have the budget? Don’t let your lack of moolah hinder you from enjoying some authentic Chinese delicacies in Binondo. Check out these budget-friendly food hubs where you can satisfy your Chinese munchies on the cheap.
1. Dong Bei dumplings
This nook is famous for its tasty, authentic, and affordable dumplings (what else do you expect?) freshly-made in front of you. You must try their kuchay dumplings; it has been rated as the best!
Go to Binondo Church and you’ll find Dong Bei Dumplings at the end of Yuchengco Street.
2. Wai Ying Dimsum
This place is perfect for your barkada! It offers a variety of choices for dimsums and known for having the best siomai in town. Don’t settle for those pushcart siomai wannabes. Check out the real deal at Wai Ying.
You can find this place at Benavidez Street, right across Manila Chinatown Hotel.
3. Wan Chai Teahouse
Wan Chai Teahouse can be described as “mura na, masarap pa,” a combination that is difficult to come by these days. The place has an authentic Chinese set-up and they often offer discounts on their meals, specifically their dimsums. It is highly recommended that you try their mango sago.
This is also located along Benavidez Street in Binondo.
4. Eng Bee Tin/Café Mezzanine
Who doesn’t know the best hopia shop in Chinatown? Eng Bee Tin is the place to go if you want to have authentic, freshly baked hopia! Sharing the location on the second floor is Café Mezzanine. While it is usually visited by older people, it has one of the best overlooking views in Binondo. All the revenues from the café are donated to Binondo Paco Fire and Rescue Brigade. Imagine dining for a cause!
Scoot over to the corner of Ongpin and Yuchengco Street if you wanna give this place a try. It’s hard to miss this usually crowded place.
5. Estero Fastfood
This food hub is located just after the Ongpin Bridge, right beside a drainage ditch (hence the name). It is likened to an open karinderya with food being very affordable and tasty.
Warning: Because of its location, I suggest you bring a hanky if you’re quite sensitive with smells.
6. Tasty Dumplings
This one is a bit pricier than the previous choices, but worth your money. It is known for its Fried Pork Chop and large servings of food that’s perfect for your barkada.
Tasty Dumplings is located at Condessa Street just beside the famous Binondo Church.
7. David’s Tea House (The Original)
You’ve probably tried dining at a David’s Tea House branch, but the one in Binondo is the original store. Everything is authentic, affordable, and the food is very good, particularly their shabu-shabu. What’s really interesting about this store is that, there’s a pig outside that’s believed to be a good luck charm.
The original David’s Tea House can be visited at Tomas Mapua Street in Santa Cruz, Manila.
Know of other affordable Chinese restos for the coming lunar new year? Go ahead and share it in the comment section.