Manila Chinatown Food Guide: Restaurants, Bakeries, and Other Food Spots You Should Visit in the World’s Oldest Chinatown
Chinese New Year is coming soon. What better way to celebrate it than by eating Chinese food. And when I want to do a Chinese food crawl, I can only think of one place: Manila Chinatown, which is mainly in Binondo, Manila and spills over to nearby Santa Cruz area. It’s the oldest Chinatown in the world!
The Ever-busy Manila Chinatown
I’ve been to Manila Chinatown several times and have written a few articles about it or one of its restaurants. But I haven’t done a proper food guide for it. So in this article, I will curate a list of my recommended food spots in Manila Chinatown.
Here are the food spots you should visit there:
Cafe Mezzanine
As its name suggests, Cafe Mezzanine is located in a mezzanine just above Chuan Kee (more on this later). They serve the same food as Chuan Kee (albeit slightly more expensive), which is mostly composed of Chinese-Filipino dishes.
Cafe Mezzanine
I’ve tried classic Chinese-Filipino dishes here, such as Kiampong (a glutinous rice dish), Pork Asado (roast pork), and Lechon Kawali (crispy pork belly). I’ve tried their bestselling Xiao Long Bao (soup dumpling) long ago but I’ve already forgotten how it tasted. LOL.
Left to Right: Kiampong, Lechon Kawali, and Kikiam
Cafe Mezzanine donates its revenue to the Binondo Paco Volunteer Fire Search & Rescue. Aside that it’s airconditioned, their cause may be a factor for their higher prices.
Dine with a cause at Cafe Mezzanine
Address: 650 Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 9AM-9PM; Thursday-Sunday, 8AM-9PM | Facebook
Chuan Kee
Chuan Kee is a Chinese-Filipino fastfood located below Cafe Mezzanine. While this food spot has been around for a while, it has recently experienced a resurgence thanks to social media. Now, there is a long queue.
So if you want to skip the queue, just go upstairs to Cafe Mezzanine and dine there for a cause
Address: 650 Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Daily, 7AM-10PM | Facebook
Dong Bei Dumplings
If you love dumplings like me, then head to Dong Bei Dumplings. They make tasty dumplings that are freshly made every day.
Address: 642 Yuchengco St. cor. V. Tytana St., Binondo, Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8:30AM-7PM; Sunday, 8:30AM-6PM | Contact No.: (02) 7903-9172 | Facebook
Lonely Owl Hongkong Exquisite Dessert
Lonely Owl is a Hong Kong brand that specializes in desserts and teas. It’s a fairly new establishment with a first branch located in Lucky Chinatown Mall. They have a futuristic-industrial interiors, which is unique in the Manila Chinatown area.
At Lonely Owl
My favorites here are its Dragon Lemon Tea, which is like iced team with popping sinkers, and Lonely Owl Fruit Tea, which has real slices of fruits.
Middle to Right: Lonely Owl Fruit Tea and Dragon Golden Mango Sago
Address: G/F Lucky Chinatown Mall, Lachambre St., Binondo, Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Daily, 10AM-10PM | Contact No.: 0956-6256999 | Facebook | Instagram
Lord Stow’s Bakery
Lord Stow’s Bakery is a popular brand from Macau popular for Portuguese Egg Tarts. It’s a chain with kiosks in most major malls, with a branch in Manila Chinatown’s iconic Ongpin Street.
Lord Stow’s Bakery in Manila Chinatown
Their egg tarts are simply irresistible. It’s creamy, flaky, and rightly sweet.
Lord Stow’s Egg Tarts are simply the best!
At Masuki Lucky Chinatown Mall
Their Mami is best paired with Siopao (steamed pork bun) and humongous Siomai (steamed pork dumplings).
Masuki’s Mami
People have different opinions about Masuki’s Mami. Some find it lacking in flavor, while some enjoy it and find it nostalgic, like myself. So just try it and decide for yourself. You’re entitled to your opinion! LOL.
Benavidez Branch Address: 931 Benavidez St., Binondo, Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Daily, 7AM-10PM
Lucky Chinatown Mall Branch Address: Lucky Chinatown Mall, Reina Regente St., Binondo, Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Daily, 10AM-9PM
Shanghai Fried Siopao
I hardly leave Manila Chinatown without eating or taking home some pork buns at Shanghai Fried Siopao. Its filling is tasty because of onions and chives, and the bun is fluffy and has a crisp bottom. I can easily finish a couple or three!
Shanghai Fried Siopao
The Shanghai Fried Siopao of Shanghai Fried Siopao. LOL!
Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant
While you’re there, order their Kikiam (crispy beancurd pork rolls), Polonchay (Chinese spinach) Garlic, and Sincerity Patatim with Cuapao (braised pork leg with steamed buns). They’re Fried Oyster Cake is also a bestseller, but I find it unpleasantly gooey.
Counterclockwise starting from the left: Sincerity Fried Chicken, Sincerity Patatim with Cuapao, and Kikiam
Lucky Chinatown Mall Branch Address: G/F Lucky Chinatown Mall, Reina Regente St., Binondo, Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Daily, 10AM-10PM | Contact No.: (02) 8516-7088
Quintin Paredes Branch: 519 Quintin Paredes, Binondo, Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Daily, TBA | Contact No.: (02) 8241-9990
Wai Ying Fastfood
Wai Ying is one of the best teahouses in Manila Chinatown. If you want to indulge in dim sum and other Cantonese food, then head over here (or to the next entry on the list).
Wai Ying Fastfood Lucky Chinatown Mall
Look at those yummy Wai Ying dimsum!
Benavidez Branch Address: 810 Benavidez St., Binondo, Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Daily, 7AM-10PM | Contact No.: (02) 8242-0310
Lucky Chinatown Mall Branch Address: Chinatown Walk, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Reina Regente St., Binondo, Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: TBA
Ying Ying Tea House
Aside from Wai Ying, Ying Ying Tea House is another popular spot for Cantonese classics. They have good roast meats, tasty dim sum, and the best Chopsuey (stir-fried vegetables) that I’ve ever tried!
At Ying Ying Tea House
The Roast Meats at Ying Ying Tea House
Related Article: Ying Ying Tea House: One of the Popular Tea Houses in Chinatown (Binondo, Manila)
Address: 233-235 Dasmariñas St. cor. Yuchengco St., Binondo, Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Daily, 7AM-10PM | Contact Nos.: (02) 5310-9031 | Facebook
There are Manila Chinatown food spots that I have yet to include here or do a review of yet. So I’ll definitely update this article. Stay in tuned!
What Manila Chinatown food spots above have you tried or would like to try? Which should I try next? Comment below!
