Chinatown Food Trip

A common misconception in our workplace is that I am always on a diet. They see the amount of food I eat during lunch and they are left in disbelief.

I admit that my lunch intake is at a minimum and I rarely eat dinner but truth of the matter is... I love food. I like trying out new places to dine, eventhough adventurous eating comes with a price (i.e. will cost you money and there's that risk of not getting your money's worth). 

Thank goodness I am surrounded by people who share the same interest. :)

On that note, I bring you our own version of food tripping in Chinatown (wherein the places of choice as well as the ordered food were recommended by our Hong Kongese ex-officemate slash friend, Puikay).

First Stop: Ying Ying Restaurant

What we ordered:

Everything dim sum: (1) Ham Sui Kok - deep fried dumplings with chicken, ham and dried shrimp and a personal favorite, (2) Hakao/Hakaw - steamed shrimp dumplings, (3) Radish Cake - a dim sum made of shredded radish and plain rice flour, and (4) Curry Dumplings.

Where to find it:
Ying Ying Tea House
233-235 Dasmarinas St. corner Yuchengco St.
Binondo, Manila
3872797, 710-3856, 243-6823

Second Stop: Quik Snack

What we ordered:

Having tried their house specialty, Misua Guisado (stir-fried egg noodles with strips of scrambled egg, mushrooms, shrimps and peanuts) from before, we opted to get two orders of Fresh Lumpia (for sharing), which is also popular among the frequenters.  The filling of their lumpia consists of diced cabbage, carrots, murshroom, spring onions, tofu, bean sprouts and wansoy (something that most of us didn't actually like).

Where to find it:

637-639 Carvajal St., Binondo Manila

242-9572, 242-9589

*Carvajal St. is a narrow alley that connects Quintin Paredes St. and Nueva St.

Third Stop: Su Zhou

What we ordered:

Only Xiao Long Bao or soup dumplings.  These are dumplings that have soup inside the bun aside from the usual meat filling.  In order to eat a piece, it is not advisable to pop it whole in your mouth as it might burn your mouth.  Instead, bite the top off first to sip the liquid inside.  You can buy frozen xiao long pao from the restaurant as well.

Where to find it:
Su Zhou Dimsum
807 Sabino B. Padilla St.
Sta. Cruz, Manila
309-7302

Last Stop: Xiao Chun Yuan Restaurant

What we ordered:

Oyster Cake, Duck Soup and Kiam Pong or Chinese Flavored Rice. By this time we were already so full that we decided to stop at this restaurant.  We agreed to have a part 2 of this trip, I just don't know when. :)

Where to find it:
Xiao Chun Yuan Restaurant
823 Ongpin St, Binondo
Manila

***All photos courtesy of ken