2 The Ultimate Binondo Food Trip; Year of the Wooden Horse 2014.

Year of the Wooden Horse on Chopsticks Art.

Should I say 2014 has just started? Year of the Wooden Horse in the Lunar Calendar just arrived last day of January. And Chinese culture has huge participation in the Philippine history right before Spanish and American occupation. They taught us the art of commerce and trading. Thus, “Chinoy” or Filipino Chinese range all over the country and most of them settled in the heart of the capital city – Manila. Indeed Manila Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in the world, established in 1594.

Your Lucky Charms and Crystals.

I am pure Filipino yet my heart pondered on Chinese heritage. My grandfather on mother side is pure Chinese; however I grew up with Filipino culture. That’s why business incline successively running on my blood. And Chinese influence has a huge space in my heart. I believe in Feng Shui and some sort of lucky charms.

Last Friday I was invited by Jherson Jaya of Lonely Travelogue, I was actually excited because another travel bloggers will going to meet. When I get off from work I decided not to go overtime as we need to meet by 2PM. I set my alarm by 12:30 so I have time to fix myself and sort of things. I dunno what happened, I’m sure I set my alarm but I really dunno if I turned it off unconsciously. I woke up around 4PM and decided not to go since I’m late and I have work that night. So please accept my sincerest apologies Idol for not coming in. My bad, hope there will still be next time.

Lucky Charm Pineapple Tassels.

Going forward, I thought I will never be ever partaken the celebration of Chinese New Year. It started 2013 and never expects to be in Binondo again on the same festivity after what happened yesterday. Deltek folks invited me to come along and it surely a go for me. After all it never too late to celebrate the year of Lunar Calendar.

And what else to expect when you are inside Manila Chinatown in the middle of Chinese festivity? Ah darn no need to think too much. Aside from buying lucky charms and crystals and different kind of statuettes is obviously food. Enough to put vivid label why but simply because we are Filipino.

The Laughing Buddha.

It's his year. The Year of the Wooden Horse.

And I’m sure I do not need to add pictures of our food tour. However to give you a summary of where we went and what have we tried, first stop is Shanghai Fried Siopao. It is located at the corner of Ongpin Street and Bahama Lane, it is served hot and the bottom part is slightly pan-fried. There’s meatball inside which you can taste mixed of meat and vegetables that makes this special siopao.

Next stop is Ongpin Mañosa located in the middle of Ongpin Street. They served different varieties of Noodles, Snacks, Soup and flavored Rice. Their price started from P100 – P200.

We started our food tour very early and yet I’m beginning to become quite full before it hits noon. And there are more food stops to taste to complete our food porn. We decided to visit Estero and try the most favorite froglegs, I have tried this already last year and I found it good. However for some reason they changed mind and would like to visit Wai Ying instead.  I haven’t tried there yet so I settled.

Unfortunately this small diner famous in roast duck is full and there are more people waiting piling outside the store. So we decided to check Tasty Dumplings instead located at the left side of San Lorenzo Church. Now that I have a reason to go back Binondo and check this most famous Wai Ying.

Likewise as Wai Ying, Tasty Dumplings is also crowded so we waited for like couple of minutes before get the table. I know I was very full that time but I still ordered the most favorite Pork Chop Rice for P125. It is located in Norberto Ty (Condesa) St. and they also offer different varieties of Rice Plates, Soup, Side Orders, Noodle/Bihon Soup, and some Frozen items. Their price started from P99 - P180.

Wishing Wall located on the left side of The Lucky Chinatown Mall.

DELTEK Folks!

I wish this year of the Wooden Horse Happiness, Prosperity, and Longevity. But please remember that luck isn’t just a random gift, luck actually has less to do with what happens to you. It is more to do with what you think and how you act. I wish all the best in the store for you for the Year of the Horse. Again, Happy Chinese New Year 2014, Gong Xi Fa Cai!