The BIG Binondo Food Wok!!!

It has been a good 2 years since I have planned on joining this Binondo tour by Ivan Mandy of Old Manila Walks. I've been hearing raves about it by 2 of my friends, Gaile and Wynz, but for some reasons, it took me this long to finally sign up for the trip. I was so happy that I did it with Carina and Donna, as from this half a day Big Binondo Food Wok, we learned a lot about Binondo’s history, culture and of course, FOOD! I was supposedly going to write a lot of things about our trip but Ivan, our tourguide, requested to not reveal everything. I am, instead, giving you teasers of our experience.

Binondo Church, La Resurreccion Chocolate Factory

On our first food stop, we went to Eng Bee Tin in Ongpin street. This popular fast food chain and Chinese specialty store is owned by Mr. Chua, a volunteer firefighter. I admire this person so much because he’s so down to earth. When we were there, he was very nice and he did not miss smiling at everyone. He even gave us 2 packs each of hopia, ube and mocchaccino flavors, which were very yummy. You may wonder why the place is filled with the color purple. I learned that it is because their ube hopia made Mr. Chua very rich, that he decided his fast food chains, specialty stores, and even the fire trucks which he donated, have a purple "color motif". How cool is that?

At Eng Bee Tin with Mr Chua - owner of the Chinese deli and volunteer firefighter

Our next food stop is the Dong Bee Dumpling. It was nice to see the dumplings that we will be eating, be prepared right before our eyes. On top of that, I learned that the ground meat they used in preparing the dumplings were grounded manually! Cool, right? The dumplings and dumpling cakes were yummy! I just have one tiny advice though: Don’t eat them if you’re a ginger-hater person. Teehee.

At Dong Bee Dumpling with the owner

I just love the streets of Binondo. I know, I know, it’s neither the cleanest nor the most organized place in the world. However, I really find Binondo a very charming chaos. J

Charming Streets of Binondo

And of course, I want to share with you the food that we ate during the Food Wok. Again, I can’t reveal what these foods are. Just be prepared and adventurous enough to eat anything…especially the egg in the picture below. ;)

Foodies Binondo has to offer!

If you want to join this tour or any other tours by Old Manila Walks, click here for more info. The Big Binondo Food Wok costs P850 and reservation is a must.

Thanks Ca and Tata Marie for "woking" with me! 'Til our next C! bonding! =)