There’s no shortage of things to do in Binondo, Manila’s historic Chinatown. From mouthwatering food crawls featuring dumplings, fresh lumpia, and sugarcane juice to scenic heritage walks past centuries-old churches, Binondo offers an unforgettable blend of culture and flavor.
Did you know that Chinese merchants traded in the Philippines long before Spanish colonization? In 1594, the Spanish designated Binondo as a settlement for Chinese immigrants—making it the oldest Chinatown in the world.
While the events of the past may have been difficult for both Filipinos and Chinese during colonization, we can now freely visit Binondo either by joining a guided tour or doing a DIY tour with family and friends in Manila. This comprehensive guide covers the two essential sides of Binondo: must-try food stops and iconic heritage landmarks.
Best Places to Eat in Binondo
Binondo is a paradise for foodies. Its narrow alleys host a mix of traditional Chinese eateries, hidden hole-in-the-wall spots, and famous street food vendors passed down through generations.
Mei Ying Sugarcane Juice
Start your food journey with a cup of freshly squeezed sugarcane juice. Mei Ying’s version is noticeably richer, smoother, and deeply refreshing—sweet and natural without being cloying. Pair it with their delicious, budget-friendly fresh lumpia and savory kuchay dumplings for a light opening bite.
- Must-Try: Freshly Squeezed Sugarcane Juice (₱70), Fresh Chinese Lumpia (₱80), Kuchay Dumplings (₱150)
ZCT Delicious Restaurant
Tucked away from the bustling main strip of Ongpin Street, ZCT Delicious Restaurant is a true hidden gem. Recommended by long-time locals, this modest hole-in-the-wall serves fantastic noodle dishes that are rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The Mikibihon Guisado is an absolute crowd-favorite. Don’t forget to order their meaty, savory-sweet Chinese kekiam on the side.
- Must-Try: Mikibihon Guisado (₱130), Chami Guisado (₱130), Chinese Kekiam (₱100)
Chinese Pancake
If you love crisp textures, this massive Chinese pancake is a must. It features a warm, soft outer layer wrapped around an addictively crunchy crisp wafer, salty-sweet pork floss, and refreshing pickled kohlrabi. Because the serving size is so generous, it’s usually folded and cut in half—making it perfect for sharing so you still have room for other food stops!
- Must-Try: Meat Floss & Seasonal Vegetable Chinese Pancake
Oishiekun
For a unique sweet snack, stop by Oishiekun for their viral Milky Bicho-Bicho. This fluffy, pillowy fried dough stick is coated in a sweet milk powder glaze. Enjoy it immediately while it’s piping hot and fresh! Its sweet flavor profile makes it a great treat to pair right before or after a savory fried siopao next door.
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Must-Try: Milky Bicho-Bicho
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Location: Right beside The Original Shanghai Fried Siopao
The Original Shanghai Fried Siopao
A staple stop on any Ongpin food crawl, Shanghai Fried Siopao almost always has a queue—and for good reason. Unlike standard convenience store siopao, these steamed buns feature a golden, pan-fried crispy bottom crust and a juicy, savory pork filling that tastes wonderfully similar to Xiao Long Bao soup dumplings.
- Must-Try: Shanghai Fried Siopao (₱35/pc)
Lord Stow’s Egg Tart
Lord Stow’s is legendary for its freshly baked Macau-style egg tarts, and despite the lengthy queue, I found myself instinctively lining up anyway. Many travelers say these evoke nostalgic memories of authentic trips to Macau. Even if you haven’t visited Macau yet, it’s easy to see why people rave about them—a flaky, buttery pastry crust surrounding a rich, silky, lightly caramelized custard center. Absolutely worth the wait!
Branches:
- SM Mall of Asia (Pasay)
- TriNoma
- Tomas Morato
- Robinsons Magnolia
- Banawe, QC
- Greenhills
- Glorietta 4 (Makati)
- Market! Market!
Chuan Kee
Established in the 1940s, Chuan Kee holds the title of the oldest Chinese eatery in Binondo. Operating as a fast-paced Chinese “turo-turo” style eatery, it’s famous for classic comfort foods like savory Pata Tim, comforting Beef Wonton Mami, and juicy Xiao Long Bao. Expect a line during peak hours, but passing the time chatting with friends makes the wait fly by.
- Must-Try: Beef Wonton Mami (₱220), Kikiam (₱90), Pata Tim (₱130), Xiao Long Bao (₱220), Kiampong Rice (₱60)
Here’s their menu.
Tanghulu
Keep an eye out for street vendors selling Tanghulu—a traditional northern Chinese snack consisting of skewered fruit coated in a hardened, glossy sugar syrup. The satisfying crunch of the sweet candy shell paired with juicy, tart fruit makes for a fun street food treat.
- Must-Try: Strawberry or Grape Tanghulu (₱50)
Wong Kei Sugarcane Juice
Located along Ongpin, Wong Kei is another popular spot to grab pure, naturally sweet sugarcane juice. Crushed fresh from raw sugarcane stalks, it acts as the ultimate palate cleanser between greasy or heavy street food stops.
- Must-Try: Fresh Sugarcane Juice
Bee Tin Grocery
Stepping into a local specialty grocery is a fun way to bring Chinatown flavors home. Pop into Bee Tin Grocery to pick up iconic treats like Wong Tsai milk (the famous red can featuring a cartoon boy), savory pork mahu (meat floss perfect for topping bread or rice), homemade pork tapa, and traditional teas.
- Must-Buy: Wong Tsai Milk, Pork Mahu/Floss (₱230 for 1/2 kg), Pork Tapa, Dried Plums
Eng Bee Tin Chinese Deli
No trip to Binondo is complete without buying pasalubong from Eng Bee Tin. Famous for modernizing traditional Chinese pastries, their shelves are packed with fresh hopia, seasonal tikoy (nian gao), and chewy mochi. Try their refrigerated Custard Ube Hopia or soft Pandan Tikoy rolls for a sweet takeaway.
- Must-Buy: Custard Ube Hopia, Pandan Tikoy Rolls, Sesame Tikoy Rolls (₱50–₱60)
Iconic Landmarks & Culture Stops in Binondo
Beyond its rich food scene, Binondo is filled with history, spiritual landmarks, and vibrant shopping streets. Here are the top spots to add to your photo-walk itinerary:
Carriedo Fountain
If you’re taking a DIY walking tour, start near Santa Cruz Church. Right outside stands the historic Carriedo Fountain, a great starting landmark for photos. Step inside Santa Cruz Church, a Roman Catholic church originally built by the Jesuits in 1619, featuring beautiful Baroque-inspired architecture.
Also read: Intramuros Travel Guide: Things to Do, Places to Visit & Tips
Arch of Goodwill
Located near the entrance of Chinatown, the Arch of Goodwill symbolizes the long-standing friendship and cultural unity between the Filipino and Chinese communities. It serves as the official welcome gate to your Binondo adventure.
Ongpin Jewelry Shops
Even before entering the Arch of Goodwill, there are numerous jewelry shops to choose from. Binondo is one of the go-to places to buy gold necklaces, earrings, rings, and other jewelry, especially for those who love collecting them. People also visit here to shop for engagement rings or wedding bands.
We saw gold necklaces for sale at the forefront, priced at P1,800. I managed to buy a 24k gold pendant here for P3,500 after a discount and a gold necklace here for P3,500 too. There was also a pair of earrings I liked that cost P2,800. These are some of the price ranges for gold jewelry you can find in Binondo. I’m sure there are both cheaper and more expensive options than the prices I’ve mentioned.
Buy Lucky Charms or Crystals
Even when I was a child, I knew Binondo as a place to buy lucky charms. While I find some stores intimidating, Fu-lai Antique Shop has an accommodating staff member who helped me choose what I needed — luck for career and wise decisions. She’s not pushy, which I think is the reason I came back here twice, the second time with my mother. I got my tiger eye bracelet for P150 and a citrine bracelet for P600. My mom bought some health and wealth charms. They also have charms for love and other purposes.
Fu-lai Antique Shop can be easily found since it’s a corner store. They do not only sell bracelets but also home decorations like Buddha, money tree, and other home decorations for luck.
Their jade Pi Yao pieces range from ₱500 to ₱1,000. Jade bracelets have different prices as well. They also offer gold Pi Yao, which are real, pawnable gold. If you want, they can customize the accessories you purchase and create a bracelet for free!
They also have Fu Dogs, amethyst stones, and other protective stones for your home or business.
The Chinese owners can speak Tagalog, and they also have a Filipino salesperson to assist you.
Pray at Binondo Church
Founded in 1596 for Chinese Christian converts, Binondo Church is famous for its Spanish Baroque architecture mixed with traditional Chinese design influences—most notably its unique octagonal bell tower.
Hong Bon Bridge
As you head toward Lucky Chinatown Mall, cross over the Hong Bon Bridge. This spot serves as a quick shortcut between Ongpin and Divisoria and features colorful urban street murals perfect for photography.
Lucky Chinatown
Wrap up your day at Lucky Chinatown Mall. This modern lifestyle hub offers an indoor mix of Chinese heritage restaurants, wellness centers, feng shui stores, and seasonal cultural fairs—offering a comfortable, air-conditioned finish to your heritage walk.
If you have other recommended places to visit in Binondo, feel free to share your experiences in the comment box below.
