A Foodie’s Adventure in Binondo: Exploring Manila’s Historic Chinatown

Stepping into **Binondo**, the world’s oldest Chinatown, feels like entering a vibrant time capsule where **Chinese, Filipino, and Spanish cultures** collide. From sizzling street food to hidden temples and bustling markets, my trip here was a sensory overload in the best way possible. Here’s how I spent a delicious day in Manila’s most iconic district.

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## **Why Binondo?**
- **Oldest Chinatown in the world** (established 1594).
- **Foodie paradise**—birthplace of Filipino-Chinese dishes like *pancit, lumpia, and siopao*.
- **Rich history** with ancestral shops, temples, and colonial-era streets.

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## **My Binondo Itinerary**

### **☀️ Morning: Heritage Walk & Breakfast**
1. **Binondo Church (Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz)**
- A stunning Spanish-era church with a mix of Baroque and Chinese motifs.
2. **Café Mezzanine**
- Ate *champorado* (chocolate rice porridge) and *tuyo* (dried fish)—a salty-sweet combo!
- Pro tip: This café doubles as a volunteer fire station!

### **🛍️ Midday: Ongpin Street & Hidden Gems**
1. **Ongpin Street**
- Snacked on **hopia** (mung bean pastries) from **Eng Bee Tin** and **dragon’s beard candy** from street vendors.
2. **Santo Cristo de Longos**
- A tiny chapel where a miraculous Chinese Christ statue was found.

### **🍜 Lunch: Legendary Eateries**
- **Sincerity Café**
- Ordered their famous **fried chicken** and **oyster cake**—crispy perfection!
- **Tasty Dumplings**
- Devoured *xiao long bao* (soup dumplings) dripping with broth.

### **⛩️ Afternoon: Temples & Markets**
1. **Binondo’s Hidden Alleyways**
- Explored **Salazar Street** for dried goods and exotic fruits.
2. **Kuang Kong Temple**
- Burned incense and admired the intricate carvings.

### **🌙 Evening: Street Food Feast**
- **Dong Bei Dumplings**
- Watched them hand-make *kuchay* (chive) dumplings—so fresh!
- **QuikSnack**
- Tried **pancit palabok** (noodles with shrimp sauce)—a must-eat!

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## **Binondo Travel Tips**
✔ **Go hungry**—portions are huge and cheap!
✔ **Wear comfy shoes**—you’ll walk *a lot*.
✔ **Bring cash**—many spots don’t accept cards.
✔ **Try the “Binondo Food Crawl”**—guided tours are fun for first-timers.

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## **Final Thoughts**
Binondo isn’t just a place—it’s an **experience**. Between the smoky wok aromas, crumbling colonial architecture, and the hum of haggling vendors, I left with a full belly and a deeper love for Manila’s cultural mosaic.

**Have you been to Binondo? What’s your favorite dish?** 🥢🍜

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