A Gastronomic Experience: Binondo, World’s Oldest Chinatown Food Tour

If you want to learn more about Filipino-Chinese culture through their authentic cuisine, this is the perfect tour for you. Prepare for this gastronomic experience and bring your sense of adventure as we weave through Binondo in this fun escape that is sure to fill your stomachs.

Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world, was established by the Spaniards as a settlement near Intramuros across the Pasig River for Catholic Chinese-Filipinos in 1594. There are numerous theories on the origin of the name “Binondo.” According to Philippine National Artist Nick Joaquin, the name might have been derived from the archaic spelling of the Tagalog term “binondoc” (or binundok) meaning mountainous, referring to Binondo’s originally hilly terrain.

Our food tour starts at the Binondo Church, also known as the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, named after the Filipino martyr, Saint Lorenzo Ruiz. It was founded by Dominican priests to serve Chinese and native Filipino who converted to Christianity. Historical accounts say that the revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio and his wife Gregoria de Jesus were wed here. It also sustained a lot of damage during World War II and had to be repaired. The only original structure that it retained is its belfry.

We will then explore the side streets and alleyways to find hidden gems and hole-in-the-wall restaurants and beloved local food.  We will eat our way through various hawker-type stores while sampling various authentic Chinese specialty snacks like fresh lumpia, steamed dumplings, and fluffy meat buns stuffed with sweet and savory pork (known locally as siopao). 

Prepare to line up with the locals for the most sought after restaurants of Binondo. Along the way, we will visit  Chinese deli shops where you can buy hopia and other Chinese delicacies to take home with you. Our last stop will be at the Chinatown Museum where you will get to see Old Binondo through a digital walkthrough with installations featuring old and current photos.

Learn more about Binondo through its history and the significance it played in Philippine history through the years.

Top 5 Budget-Friendly Binondo Favorites

Find your fun escape and eat your way into the history and culture of Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world. Book this tour today!

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