It’s that time of the year when Divisoria becomes more like a circus than the shopping district that it is. We understand a trek to DV at this time of the year sounds like a scary prospect, but it really is the best place for last-minute shoppers because here you can get get the best bargains on gifts for your inaanak and monito y monita. The good news is that there are as many places to eat at as there are stalls to shop in. Coconuts Manila hooked up with the good folks behind Divisoria Guide app and rounded up these awesome dining options that should fuel you, give you rest, and get you ready for that nth round of bargain shopping.
SEE ALSO: Staycation guide to Divisoria and Tondo
CHARIYA’S AUTHENTIC THAI KITCHEN
BEST FOR: A quick carbo load
At 168’s Sta. Elena Wing sits this little Thai kiosk. The menu offers plenty of traditional Thai rice combos. We recommend the pad thai (PHP90) for a quick carbo-load. With rice noodles, peanuts, togue and fried egg, it is a complete meal and quite the deal. (3/F 168 Mall Food Court, Sta Elena St, Binondo, Manila)
VEGGIE TO-GO
BEST FOR: Non-carnivores who like the look of meat
Veggie To-Go serves a variety of Filipino and Chinese vegetarian meals, some of which use mock meat instead of beef/pork/chicken/fish. (3/F 168 Mall Food Court or 5/F 168 Mall Phase 5, Sta Elena St, Binondo, Manila)
WAI YING
BEST FOR: A Binondo fix
A popular Binondo fixture, WaiYing brings its awesome dimsum to DV at a kiosk in 168 Mall’s Sta Elena Wing. In case you haven’t heard of WaiYing, you must try their Hakaw, Siomai, Peking Duck and Asado pork. Yum. (3/F 168 Mall, Sta Elena St, Binondo, Manila)
SEE ALSO: Staycation guide to Binondo
KING CHEF SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
BEST FOR: An en grande lunch
Long renowned in Banawe (the other Chinatown, tee hee), Quezon City, for its awesome Cantonese cuisine, shoppers looking for a big lunch — and a solid comfortable break— are treated like royalties at King Chef. Diners can feast on the generous portion of authentic dishes or the “dimsum happy hour” (from 3pm). A good lunch sets you back about PHP400. But if you’d rather spend that money on shopping, wait until 3pm when the restaurant serves dimsum at discounted prices. (2/F Lucky Chinatown Mall, Reina Regente cor Dela Reina St, Binondo, Manila; +63 2 7209062)
CSJ GENERAL MERCHANDISE
BEST FOR: When you need a break from the madding crowd
This Korean joint serves all Korean groceries, and the Korean ice cream here is super panalo for only PHP25 a pop. If you feel like indulging yourself, get the PHP45 ice cream sandwich. Yum. (3/F 999 Shopping Mall, Soler St, Binondo, Manila)
LAN ZHOU LA MIAN NOODLE HOUSE
BEST FOR: When you have the munchies for noodles or in dire need of entertainment
Lan Zhou is another famous Binondo eatery that’s made its way to Divisoria. They make their noodles in house so when you are in a dire need of a break and/or entertainment, this is where you should come by. With its super simple menu (noodles and dumpling), you can rest your brain for really difficult shopping decisions and computations. (5/F 168 Mall, Sta Elena St, Binondo, Manila)
SINYILONG BAKERY
BEST FOR: Post-shopping pasalubong
Sinyilong Bakery is a Filipino-Chinese bakery at 168 Mall’s Soler Wing. All its cakes have lemon-flavored notes, with different icings that for a secondary flavor. You can’t go wrong wiht the Mahu, Pillow and Tiger cakes. (3/F 168 Mall Food Court, Sta Elena St, Binondo, Manila))
TUTUBAN CENTER’S FOODSTREET
BEST FOR: Midnight snackers
This night food market behind Tutuban Centermall is laid out like a hawker center in Singapore and specializes in different kinds of barbeque — chicken, pork, fish, beef, you name it, they got it. Open all-year round, the market starts at 6pm and closes at midnight, though it is known to stay open until there are diners inside, especially during the holiday season.
WEEKEND STREETFOOD MARKET
BEST FOR: The weekend warrior with a healthy apettite
When Divisoria’s newest attraction started in June, it was only open from from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening. Now that’s it’s the busy holiday season, it’s ramped up service and by opening every day during mall hours. Expect all sorts of barbeque dishes and finger foods. (Between Chinatown Annex and Lucky Chinatown Mall; 10am-10pm this December).
TEA EGGS
BEST FOR: When you feel like eating something out of the ordinary
Right beside the Korean ice cream store is this modest stall that sells awesome good tea eggs that are boiled with black tea leaves, soy sauce and sweeteners. It will put a cool spin to your DV trip. (3/F 999 Mall, Soler St, Binondo, Manila)
For more Divisoria goodness, check out Divisoria Guide
