President’s Tea House, Binondo

One of the most famous chinese restaurants in Manila is the President’s Restaurant in Ongpin. The much famed President’s restaurant in Ongpin has a somehow cheaper alternative in the form of the President’s Tea House on Salazar St. (which is actually a stone’s throw away from the President Restaurant itself). The tea house is a smaller version and a more affordable version because of the ambiance and the menu that’s being offered. Right beside one of my favourite chinese snack stores (Shin Tai-Shang Store) on Salazar, BF and I decided to have a quick “snack” in the tea house.

For our “snack” we decided to try some of their dimsum and of course some prawns for me. The dimsum offerings in President Tea House is one of the most delicious and affordable dimsum that I’ve had. It really is a sweet deal. i wish they had a branch in powerplant although it wouldn’t be as authentic naman.

 

The Big Binondo Food Wok [part 2 of 3]

6. DUMPLINGSHaving sampled traditional hokkien food, seen lizards on a stick…Ivan finally led us to another hole-in-the-wall food stop. A humble dumpling place. Do not underestimate their dumplings. This is my favourite stop.

One traditional Chinese fare is the DUMPLING (jiaozi). Dumplings are often crescent shaped and filled with savory meat & vegetables. They are either boiled or fried and served with a special dipping sauce. For the Chinese, dumplings are an important food for the new year Since the shape of Chinese dumplings is similar to ancient Chinese gold or silver ingots, they symbolize wealth.

One of our favourite stops on our tour is this dumpling place! You know the ingredients are fresh because you see them made. I actually ate on the table where the manangs were making them. The place was packed! I especially loved the fried Chinese pancake dumpling…which was firm and very flavourful [hands down -- WINNER]l. Another hole-in-the-wall place that everyone must try (food great, service was nice and efficient, never mind the ambience…but I think that just gives the place the “authentic feel”) I am definitely going back to this place.