Binondo Wok Food Trip 2010

Would you actually go to Binondo (particularly Chinatown) on a daily, weekly or monthly basis? I wouldn't because it's such a hassle to go there. Traffic is terrible, mandurukots are kinda around and you would actually worry about the safety of your car. But I underestimated what I perceive about the place. Last July 24, I had a different experience with Binondo. Together with my good friend and officemate, Raquel and new found buddies Erwin and Francis (who's in the same village as mine!), we all went to Binondo and had a different experience that all of us will never forget:

1. Took a ferry from Valenzuela station to Escolta
2. Ate at recommendable restaurants like Sincerity Restaurant and President's Tea House
3. Checked out the fascinating Binondo Church
4. Took pictures at the plaza along Ongpin
5. Hopia, mochi and mooncake shopping at Eng Bi Tin

At Valenzuela Station....

...they have a fancy lobby for the ferry ride!

Binondo Food Trip Wok Crew: (l-r) Erwin, Raquel, gladzalwayshappy and Francis. Background's the Philippine Post Office.

Upon our arrival to Binondo, the first thing we did was to find the closest restaurant. We were so hungry because most of us didn't eat breakfast. So our first stop... Sincerity Restaurant, who's been in the metropolis for 50 years!

If you want to have a unique yet awesome fried chicken moment (like have a break from Max Fried Chicken and KFC), you should try this! Yum yum yum! That's all I can say!

Tasty sauteed adobong kangkong!

Super delicious oyster cake! Definitely a must-try!

Machang's my favorite sticky rice dish but we didn't order this one coz we ordered so much!

Then off we went to downtown Chinatown, wherein we went to Binondo Church and hung around in the plaza at Ongpin street. We saw a "kariton-based" schooling, which is organized by Virlanie foundation. Their teacher, Marie, is French who is so good speaking in Filipino! Cool right? It's just nice to see kids eager to learn so many things about the world.

At Ongpin Street

Binondo Church and statue of Ramon Ongpin

Outside the Binondo Church

This is actually the dome part from the outside. They painted a picture that looks like heaven, with clouds and lots of angels!

Beat that Leonardo Da Vinci and Michaelangelo!

Do you still remember your Math? Like your MDAS?

Happy kids at the kariton-school by Virlanie

After we did the usual "tourist-y" stuff, we got hungry again and so we searched for President's Tea House. But first, we had a pit-stop to Eng Bi Tin store. I've never seen such variety of hopia and moon cake! Oh yeah, they also have mochi balls! For less than 40 bucks, I bought a lot for the household. Neat! (My mom finished them all when I got home from the trip).

Mochi + Hopia = Mochipia

So many hopias! Hopia Ube... Hmmm!!

Lots and lots of hopias! Hopia Mungo and Red Mungo are one of the famous flavors of Eng Bi Tin.

Flavored siopaos! (Ube, Melon, Monggo)

After shopping a lot of goodies at Eng Bi Tin, it's dinnertime! Although we started a bit early, like around 4:45PM, we said we deserve a sumptuous meal because of the long walks we had. So finally, we had dinner at President's Tea House.

Sauteed Garlic Kangkong

Deep Fried Squid

Swahe! Oh so fresh!

Hakao!

Steamed Lapu-lapu in Oyster Sauce

Chowtime....

....but first camwhorage must be done!

We ended at around 8:00PM. It was such a packed day but we definitely gained so many learning experiences from our D-I-Y Binondo Wok Food Trip. After what we did, I truly appreciated Manila Chinatown's unique charm.

I shall to this again with my family and other friends. I had so much fun, I will recommend this for others to try it out!

Binondo by night time with friendship Raquel