I am a Binondo virgin.
So when a friend from the Philippine Bank of Communications aka PBCOM said they were partnering with popular Manila tour guide Ivan Man Dy for a special food tour, I volunteered to be part of it.
But why such a weird partnership, I wondered. I eventually discovered it’s not THAT weird. PBCOM’s very first branch is actually located at the Binondo Banking Center in Juan Luna, which was once the country’s Wall Street and central financial district. PBCOM, which is marking its diamond jubilee this year, also has 10 (out of its 69 branches in the country) branches in Binondo – the most for any bank there – including those in Ongpin, Masangkay, and T. Alonzo.
Now on to the food.
A few steps from the PBCOM branch at the Binondo Banking Center in Juan Luna, there is a place called New Po-Heng Lumpia House, which serves one very Chinese food: the lumpia. But don’t expect a wide array of lumpia choices here. They have just one type, but it’s very tasty and authentic. Made of mostly vegetables, it’s pretty huge and filling, and made tastier when you eat it “correctly,” meaning you sprinkle peanut powder, and Japanese seaweed on top of it, plus pour some sweet brown sauce, hot sauce, and vinegar with crushed garlic before every bite.
It’s not the first time I got to try such a lumpia, but I have to say it’s my favorite type. Beats lumpiang sariwa, lumpiang toge, and lumpiang shanghai any day.
Our next stop was Quick-Snack (637 Carvajal Street), where I enjoyed all the dishes they had us try.
If you are not a fan of tofu, they have a crispy tofu dish that will win you over because of its sweet-spicy sauce. Their beef Sate Beef Kangkong Guisado may be a little too wet or spicy for some (because of all the black pepper), but it is so tasty and unique (definitely not the usual pansit you eat during birthdays) that you will want to order it again next time. And then they have Kuchay Ah, hot empanadas bursting with flavourful tofu and meat. If it’s your first time to sample this, you will definitely want to take out some for you and your family and friends
We also visited a hole-in-a-wall called Dong Bei Dumpling (642 Yuchengco Street). It is a very small place that can seat just around 15. Try to not mind the space constraints and the noise because their food offerings will make up for it.
Their dumplings will remind you of those from Shi Lin, while their fried chicken sinjiang is so tasty (thanks to cumin) you will want to ask for rice.
They also have herbal tea in can, which is perfect for summer; it’s like a less sweet gulaman drink (but without the gulaman) and it is very refreshing.
Our last stop was Eng Bee Tin, the place to go to for pasalubong. They have all sorts of pastries and snacks, including hopia, of course. They have it in all flavors: kundol, red mongo, hapon, buko pandan, and mochaccino.
What caught my eyes was the intriguing custard one. I thankfully got to taste it then and there, and discover just how good it is. So good that I bought 10 packs. It’s like egg pie, pastillas, and leche flan all rolled into one. Definitely a must-try and a must-buy-for-pasalubong next time you are in Binondo.
That wasn’t a lot of places and dishes but I had so much fun and I got to try enough for a first-timer. I can’t wait to return and discover more of Binondo.
