The following article is a commissioned feature I wrote for the February-March issue of SMILE, the in-flight magazine of Cebu Pacific Air. You may browse the magazine online at http://www.cebusmile.com

PHOTOS BY EDGAR ALAN ZETA-YAP

HEAD TO THE THRIVING AREA OF BINONDO IN MANILA FOR A TRULY SUMPTUOUS FEED DURING CHINESE NEW YEAR, AS EDGAR ALAN ZETA-YAP SUGGESTS

LAN ZHOU LAMIEN

What it is
This authentic noodle house continues to grow in popularity especially among Chinese immigrants due to its freshly prepared lamien (hand-pulled noodles).

Crowd pleasers
Beef lamien is the bestseller, but their pork spareribs, fish fillet and seafood versions are equally superb. While waiting for your orders to be served, you can watch how the noodles are skillfully pulled and cooked — a treat in itself.

Tried and tasted
“Their beef noodle soup is the best I’ve ever tasted. I like the delicate texture and variety of their noodles, and the meat are choice cuts.” Gilbert Briones

Where
818 Benavidez Street, Binondo, tel: +63 (2) 244 5365 (open 9am–10pm).

DONG BEI DUMPLING

What it is
A hole-inthe-wall dumpling shop tucked behind Binondo Church, known for its assortment of delectable Northern-style dumplings (Dong bei means “northeast,” by the way).

Crowd pleasers
Their dumplings are affordable and never short on taste. Savor a yummy mix of chives, celery, cabbage, pork and shrimp dumplings freshly prepared right before your eyes. You can also order raw dumplings to cook at home.

Tried and tasted
“I always order kutchay (chives) dumplings whenever I drop by the restaurant. I like it because it’s different from the usual pork or shrimp.” Mariel Sunit

Where
642 Yuchengco Street, Binondo, tel: +63 (2) 241 8912 (open 10am–10pm).

QUAN YIN CHAY

What it is
A long-established vegetarian wonderland that has been offering a diverse menu of Chinese, Taiwanese and Filipino dishes for two decades. No wonder it’s often full of people.

Crowd pleasers
Try their vegetarian versions of Filipino fare like Bicol express, karekare, pancit palabok and barbeque all made with veggie meat. Their mini-grocery stocks hard-tofind frozen products like veggie shrimp, squid and chicken drumsticks.

Tried and tasted
“I love their vegetarian wheat siopao (meat buns) filled with mushrooms, carrots and bamboo shoots — it’s unique and very healthy.” Flores Yap

Where
821 Masangkay Street, Binondo, tel: +63 (2) 243 3356 to 57 (open 7am–9pm).

WAI YING FASTFOOD

What it is
A busy two-storey dimsum restaurant brimming with customers and really good food. They also cook a wide array of noodles, rolls and desserts to complete your meal.

Crowd pleasers
They serve some of the best siomai in the city. Their savory chicken feet are known to have converted some picky eaters. Also try the hakaw (soft prawn dumpling), chong fan (rice noodle sheets), steamed spareribs and roasted duck rice.

Tried and tasted
“I highly recommend their siopao — good filling to dough ratio! Be adventurous and try their chicken feet too, which are tender and moist.” Charlene Sison

Where
810 Benavidez Street (open 7am–9pm).