Binondo Estero restaurants
The Binondo Estero restaurants are among the well-known spots to eat in the country’s bustling Chinatown. These are also where you can try out frog legs and other unusual cuts of meat in dishes.
Don’t miss these hidden gems famous for its quick, tasty, and relatively inexpensive meals, right in the heart of Manila.
Iconic eatery location
Pre-pandemic Binondo estero filled with customers.
Image credit: LGA Fastfood
There are two main establishments in the area, LGA Fastfood and Estero Fastfood, but they have the same menu, and the taste of the dishes are almost identical.
Most people collectively call the place Binondo estero because it’s near waterways. The word estero translates to a spot next to a river or creek. It’s along Ongpin Street, and you’ll have to walk down a few steps to see the open area filled with red lanterns and plastic furniture.
Adobo, buttered, & deep-fried frog
Salt and pepper frog legs.
Image credit: LGA Fastfood
This spot in Manila is also famous for serving frog legs. You can order it in several ways, including frog legs adobo and deep-fried frog legs (P330, ~USD5.91) tossed in either butter, garlic, chili, and salt and pepper.
Deep-frying and tossing it in different flavors work perfectly with frog legs because the meat tastes like regular fried chicken. So, instead of getting the usual chicken wings, you may try out this Binondo food trip staple.
Traditional Filipino-Chinese food
Beef and broccoli.
Image credit: LGA Fastfood
Not all those who go to Binondo estero want to sample frog legs; they usually go there for affordable Filipino-Chinese dishes after long hours of shopping in the nearby Divisoria market.
Dishes you can order at one of the Binondo estero restaurants.
Image credit: Michelle Angeles Salonga
The Tsinoy food staples that these restaurants have been serving for decades include beef and broccoli (P250, ~USD4.48), sweet and sour fish fillet (P350, ~USD6.27), chop suey (Chinese stir-fried veggies) (P245, ~USD4.39), and bihon guisado (stir-fried noodles) (P220, ~USD3.94).
Affordable Binondo restaurants
The Binondo estero restaurants are just one of the many spots you can visit when you’re in Manila’s Chinatown.
They kept the heritage of Filipino-Chinese cuisine thriving even during the pandemic when many beloved food places were forced to shut down. So, now that everything is slowly returning to normal, don’t miss out on sites like this.
Check out these other food spots:
- Tanay Highlands: Cafe and camp site
- Gubat in QC: Kamayan food spot
- Not Just Coffee in Pop Up, Katipunan
Cover image adapted from: LGA Fastfood and LGA Fastfood
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