A foodie’s dream, Binondo is located in the heart of Manila’s Chinatown, where there’s a rich culinary heritage spanning generations. In this bustling district you will find a wide variety of flavors to explore, from savory dumplings to sweet pastries. Join us as we navigate through the bustling streets of Binondo and explore six must-visit food stops that promise an unforgettable gastronomic adventure.
Let’s experience Binondo’s culinary delights!
Watatrip // New Po Heng Lumpia House
New Po Heng Lumpia House 🌯
Price Range: ₱150 / Person
📍627 Carvajal St, Binondo, Manila, 1006 Metro Manila
🕒 Open MTWThFS 7 am – 9 pm; Sundays 8 am – 5 pm
Don’t miss their famous lumpia and misua guisado! A Binondo Food Trip essential. Pro tip: One fresh lumpia can fill more than one tummy!
Watatrip // Wai Ying Fast Food
Wai Ying Fast Food 🥢
Price Range: ₱300 / Person
📍810 Benavidez Street, Binondo, Manila
🕒 Open daily 7 am – 2 am
Savor Curry Beef Siomai for just Php90 or go for the Roasted Duck at Php240. Remember, dim sum is best when hot!
Watatrip // Dong Bei Dumplings
Dong Bei Dumplings 🥟
Price Range: ₱100 / Person
📍642 Yuchengco Street, Binondo, Manila
🕒 Open daily 9 am – 8 pm
Try the Pork Dumplings (Php 200 for 14 pieces) and their lightning-fast Fried Pancakes. A budget-friendly choice!
Watatrip // Shanghai Fried Siopao
Shanghai Fried Siopao
Price Range: ₱150 / Person
📍Ongpin St., Binondo, Manila
🕒 Open daily 8 am – 10 pm
Experience the crispy goodness of fried siopao for just Php 20. Remember to enjoy it while it’s hot!
Indulge in the city’s best egg tarts (P56/solo, P220/box of four, P320/box of six, and P630/dozen) with the perfect balance of sweetness and a flaky crust.
Watatrip // Ying Ying Tea House Restaurant
Ying Ying Tea House Restaurant 🍚🍜
Price Range: ₱300 / Person
📍234 Dasmariñas St, Binondo, Manila
🕒 Open daily 7 AM – 2 AM
Satisfy your cravings with dim sum, congee, rice toppings, and noodles. Hakao for Php 80 and Minced Beef Congee for just Php 110 are must-tries. Be cautious on the narrow staircases in this multi-floor restaurant.
Discover Binondo’s culinary treasures and immerse yourself in an unforgettable foodie trip. Follow Watatrip for more food guides!
If there’s one thing Metro Manila knows how to do, it’s feeding hungry souls with big flavors on a small budget. From sizzling plates that make the streets come alive to humble carinderias dishing out comfort food with heart, this city proves you don’t need deep pockets to eat like a king.
In this guide, we’re spotlighting 7 must‑try carinderias where every bite tells a story—of tradition, community, and the joy of eating well without overspending. Whether you’re a first‑time visitor chasing authentic local eats or a seasoned traveler hunting for hidden gems, get ready to taste Manila in its most delicious (and affordable) form.
Owned by Nellie Caruz, who doubles as the cook, the eatery has thrived since 1985. It houses a coin-operated karaoke machine, letting patrons sing “My Way” while enjoying budget-friendly food. ABS-CBN’s Elchico and basketball’s Ejercito have been seen relishing Caruz Eatery.
There specialties like Calderetang Spareribs, Ginataang Hipon and Inihaw na Liempo. Enjoy their Bestseller Dinadakan.🍽️
Caruz Eatery // Watatrip
🥘ALING SOSING’SCARINDERIA
📍Dian Street, Makati City, Metro Manila
Established in March 1986 beside a vulcanizing shop, Aling Sosing’s is a quaint spot. In 2003, a Singapore journalist’s Asian Wall Street Journal piece, revealed by owner Maritess Lim, highlighted Aling Sosing (Asuncion Zamora). It’s been showcased on TV shows F and Travel Time, with visits from Evangeline Pascual and Isko Moreno. Enjoy soulful Pinoy dishes like Adobo, Higado, Liempo, and Bicol Express. For a heavenly experience, try Nilagang Baka post 10:30 am.🍲✨
Aling Sosing’s // Watatrip
🥘TAPSILOGAN NI MAMA LENG
📍West Grace Park, South Caloocan, Caloocan City, Metro Manila
Founded by Angelina “Mama Leng” Apelo, the tapsilogan has thrived for 30+ years. Regulars fondly term it Mama Leng’s. No cooks on-site; owner Jessie Ann Bangsil explained food’s pre-prepped and marinated, ensuring diverse meals available all day across branches without compromising flavor. A top pick is the Chicsilog – sizable, crispy, with sunny-side-up egg and rice.🍳🍗
Tapsilogan ni Mama Leng // Watatrip
🥘DANNYLICIOUS
📍Castillo Street, Bagumbuhay, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Operated by Crisanta Gaviola, Dannylicious serves since the ’70s. Around 30 kg pork barbecue sold daily.Featured on GMA-7 and ABS-CBN. Dannylicious delivers Pork Barbeque, Mechadong Baka, Pochero. Pricey pork barbecue doesn’t deter customers. With rice, a small bowl of soup is served. Vinegar dip completes the traditional Filipino barbeque meal.🍖🍚🍲
Danny-Licious Barbecue // Watatrip
🥘PAT-PAT’S KANSI HOUSE
📍Bayani Road, Western Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro Manila
Known as Kansi, owned by Aurelio Servando, this eatery started in Iloilo City in 1999 due to a family recipe. They set up in Manila later. With Kansi (Ilonggo bulalo) as their specialty, prices range from P30 for Barbeque to P135 for Kansi. Enjoy tender flesh lodged inside the bone with their specially formulated soup.🍜🍖
Pat-Pat’s Kansi House // Watatrip
🥘MATY’S TAPSILOG
📍Quirino Ave. Dongalo Paranaque City, Metro Manila
Est. in 1970 by Epiphania Reyes-Salazar, Maty’s is a go-to for nightshift workers and night owls. A popular post-party or hangover spot. Featured on GMA-7, ABS-CBN shows. Maty’s Tapa is moist, unique but flavorful. Porksilog offers generous servings, a budget-friendly choice. Size isn’t everything here.🌙🍳🥓
Maty’s Tapsilog // Watatrip
🥘ATE FE’S KITCHEN
📍87 Maginhawa Street, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Owned by Fe F. Reyes, Ate Fe’s Kitchen offers more food than seats. Serving mostly diverse UP Diliman students. With minimal waiting time, anyone can have Chopsuey Rice, Tocilog, Beef Ampalaya served at fair prices. They never keep you waiting, it’s best to go in the early afternoon, when you’re sure to have a seat. 🥦🍚🍖
Ate Fe’s Kitchen // Watatrip
Need more food guides? We’ve got you covered! Check out our restaurants and other food recommendations on Watatrip’s website.
Watatrip is your passport to exploring the diverse and inviting restaurant scene in key cities in the Philippines. Today, let’s head over to Little Baguio, San Juan.
It’s no secret that a culinary tapestry awaits on this side of Manila. Considered a haven for both seasoned food adventurers and curious travelers alike, this charming neighborhood houses some of the best restaurants in the city.
Savor delightful dishes, uncover hidden culinary gems, and immerse yourself in the flavors of international cuisines at the five restaurants listed below:
1. Calderón
Calderon in Little Baguio, San Juan, is dubbed by WheninManila.com as spanish haven because of its traditional, authentic tasting Spanish cuisine offerings.
The place serves some of the best tasting paella that you can try in the country. The Paella de Grasas de Cangrejos, a paella dish with crab meat and fat sauce, is sinfully good. If you’re a meat-lover, you should order their Paella Chuleton – Australian Wagyu steak. Prices for their paella dishes start at Php670.00.
While you’re at it, have a taste of some of their other bestsellers including Lengua Con Setas (Php630), Croquetas (Php280 – 350), Chorizo-Gambas Al Ajillo (Php510.00), and Salpicao (Php400).
Don’t forget to end your meal with a Churros con Chocolate (P280) or maybe a bottle or two of Stella Artois.
Café Sanso combines art and food, making it perfect for those looking for a gastronomic adventure or an artistic nook on this side of town. This restaurant pays homage to the world-famous painter Juvenal Sansó.
One thing that makes this place stand out is the sense of peace and calm that it has, as compared to other restos in the area.
Here, you can savor the very essence of Spain with delectable dishes such as their bestsellers Callos A La Madrilena (Php375), Mussels in White Wine (Php325), Smoked Salmon Triangle (Php295), and the mouthwatering Churrasco Pork Belly (P425) and Butcher’s Steak (Php575).
But, a dish that we think you must definitely try is their array of Paellas, especially the Chorizo Y Quezo (Php555) and Paella Valenciana (Php785) – each one a journey to Spanish paradise on a plate!
They also have platters like the Serranos Special Platter that has jamon serrano, salami, chorizo pamplona, spanish longaniza, manchego cheese, cocktail olives, grapes and crackers, which you can enjoy with a bottle of red or white wine.
And when you’ve had your fill of culinary adventures, don’t forget to explore the Sanso Museum right next door. This enchanting museum, brought to life in 2015 with the artist’s generous support, is a treasure trove of creativity that you won’t want to miss!
First established in Retiro, QC, Tra Vinh in Little Baguio, San Juan gives off the same pleasurable culinary experience to diners just like its other branch. Here, the journey through Vietnamese flavors is not merely satisfying – it’s an irresistible odyssey.
Start off with their prawn pomelo salad (P290), a symphony of flavors and textures. This refreshing creation combines the crispness of prawn crackers with the luscious mix of veggies, fruits, and succulent prawns, creating an appetizer that dances on your palate.
Of course, dining in a Vietnamese restaurant without ordering a bowl of noodles feels like an incomplete experience (just our two cents), so make sure to order one or two of their pho noodle soups or dry noodles.
The Tra Vinh special noodle soup (Php280 regular; Php370 large), a harmonious blend of chicken and seafood broth, will serenade your senses with its rich, nuanced flavors. Alternatively, the spicy combination noodle soup is a thrilling crescendo of taste, a three-meat broth fused with an orchestra of over a dozen herbs and spices that will awaken your palate and leave you savoring every bite.
For dry noodles, their BBQ Pork Noodles with Shanghai Rolls is a good deal for only Php280.00.
Additionally, if you’re a “rice” person, you’d love it here too, because they have a variety of rice dishes available including Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Rice (Php280), Braised Beef Rice (Php280), and Prawn Sugarcane Rice (Php290).
“Come for the food. Stay for the booze.” If you’re in for a fantastic dinner or night-out with family or friends, head over to Varra Resto Bar.
Varra has a minimalist and friendly atmosphere, a nice place of pure bliss and booze.
For starters, nothing beats the classics like Varra Sizzling Sisig (without – Php275 – or with egg – Php295), Crispy Shrooms (Php160), a burst of flavor and texture in the mouth with its combination of oyster and enoki mushrooms, and Varra’s Nacho Overload (Php420).
For the mains, the Varra Steak Salpicao (Php390) is a mouthwatering goodness. While salpicao is a common dish, especially in a pub menu, Varra elevates it by utilizing tender and juicy tenderloin steak slices chopped thin and served on a hot platter covered with loads of garlic.
They also have rice bowls such as Beef Stir Fry (Php280), Honey Sriracha Tofu (Php260), and Chicken Wings (Php280), among others. Pastas and burgers are also available here.
If you think they have an amazing array of food choices, wait until you see their drinks menu. From beers to whiskeys to international cocktails, they have it all. They also concoct non-alcoholic drinks for minors. So, everything is taken care of!
Pegi Waffles is a must-visit for any waffle lover. This cozy cafe serves up a variety of sweet and savory waffles, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
If you’re in the mood for a classic waffle, try the Liege Waffle, or their Belgian waffle, made with a yeast dough and pearl sugar, giving it a unique, chewy texture and a sweet, caramelized flavor. These savory waffles are packed with flavor and are sure to satisfy your hunger.
Aside from waffles, the place also offers other pastries such as Scone with Clotted Cream (Php350), Creamy Beef Mushroom Potpie (Php250), Creamy Mushroom Wagyu Potpie by 4 (Php1000).
They also serve Chicken Ala Kiev (Php350), Chicken Cordon Bleu (Php295), and Certo’s Beef Lasagna (Php350).
When you find yourself wandering through the charming streets of Little Baguio, make it a point to follow your taste buds to this hidden gem of a cafe. It’s worth the try!
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