MR. UBE (BINONDO FOOD TRIP)

THE KAIN TULOG GANG are on our last stop of our BINONDO FOOD TRIP and even if we originally had about 12 restaurants to try out that day, we had no choice but to halt on the 4th one because our tummies were all going to burst.

Some of THE KAIN TULOG GANG in Binondo!!!!

When we told the organizer of the trip, THE FOOD ALPHABET, that we cannot possibly go on any further, he said not to worry. We only had (technically) one stop left...

MR. UBE!!!!

QUIK-SNACK (BINONDO FOOD TRIP)

If there's one thing I could totally say about QUIK-SNACK, it's the word "unexpected". For a non-Binondo resident like me, I was clueless that such a treasure existed within their alleys even if we have been to Ongpin always for the Chinese New Year. Good thing that for our BINONDO FOOD TRIP organized by THE FOOD ALPHABET, he included QUIK-SNACK because, why shouldn't he? QUIK-SNACK is like a classical movie for them that just got better through the years. It is the place to go to for some Binondo eats which may be unfamiliar from outsiders like us but one bite and we'll get enchanted.

So for the 3rd stop of our BINONDO FOOD TRIP, our KAIN TULOG GANG squeezed ourselves into the sought after QUIK-SNACK. You might roll your eyes on me but it was actually my first time to have some of the dishes ordered by THE FOOD ALPHABET. The result made us suddenly feel more part of the everyday life in BINONDO.

And with delicious and authentic Chinese food so nearby to feed us at every whim, I will certainly NOT mind!!!!! :)  

QUIK-SNACK!!!!!

You will find QUIK-SNACK in the famous alley way in BINONDO that sells fruits and vegetables!

OUR BINONDO FOOD TRIP

What is a perfect date for you and your significant other?

Yeah I could understand the attraction of candlelit dinners, walks on the beach, watching a movie while holding hands and making out, but sometimes, you just have to go for something different. Yep! When the candles have been blown off, you've already dusted the sand from your toes, or when the Beast finally lost all of his fur, it's time to do a certain kind of tripping that will make both you and your special sweetie, happy, full, and dandy.

And for me and the Chinese Dimpol, that "time" was a food trip with our KAIN TULOG BUDDIES in BINONDO!!!!! 

When we scheduled our BINONDO FOOD TRIP, the Chinese D and I were still celebrating our 1 week Valentimes.

(Yeah... yeah we celebrate our Valentimes for 1 week so that we have more excuses to eat, may reklamo???)

MAKI PLACE

One of the top reasons why we love going to BINONDO to celebrate the CHINESE NEW YEAR is because we love to feast on authentic Chinese food that the town is famous for. Of course, I know that we could still go on ordinary days. But usually, lazy us would often get discouraged by traffic or other weekend plans that at least with the CHINESE NEW YEAR, we are really compelled to go.

Come to think of it, the thought of having these delicious foods always keep us going even if it's traffic in BINONDO and jampacked with people.

Yup! We always make food the reason for everything! He he he he he!

So for this year's CHINESE NEW YEAR in BINONDO, the Chinese Adonis was so looking forward to eat these sticky noodles which he had seen in previous trips before from MAKI PLACE. When we got to the building we saw last year, we were surprised that it was closed already. Good thing that a kind security guard from the next establishment advised us that it transferred to another building and gave us the address.

Finally after a lot of walking and waiting, the Chinese Adonis was able to eat his much craved about sticky noodles. Was it worth braving the crowds of Ongpin St., during CHINESE NEW YEAR to get to it?

Read on and find out!

KUNG HEI FAT CHOI!

MAKI PLACE!!!!

We just arrived in Ongpin St., in Binondo and we're looking for MAKI PLACE. 

While walking around we saw how the lines for Chinese restaurants were just crazy that we're hoping it was not the same for the restaurant serving our Maki misison.

And finally!!!!!

Thankfully, there was no no line (yet) in MAKI PLACE probably because it's only 11:00am. But the first and second floor of the restaurant was full. 

WELCOMING THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY (CHINESE NEW YEAR 2016)

The YAPPY BUNCH raided Binondo recently to celebrate CHINESE NEW YEAR for 2016!

And this time, we are welcoming THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY!!!

We woke up early to drive out to Binondo and we were all excited and lazy.

Well, the Chinese Adonis and I were excited.

The little lords were, as usual, LAZY. He he he he he he he!

Don't fret Mati and Andrei. This is already our 5th year in doing this Chinese New Year Tradition and let me assure you that there will be MORE to come! 

BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

YING YING TEA HOUSE

When we were planning our trip to Binondo Manila for the Chinese New Year 2015, I was talking on and on about going here and going there, while the Chinese Adonis was already quietly looking up restaurants for lunch. I know right? Usually it's me who's dreaming up the restaurants to eat and rest in after a long day (as the Chinese Adonis is always active) but this time, he was secretly looking up places to eat at what he feels is his own "Disneyland".

So when I asked where we'll be eating at Binondo, Manila, he instantly answered that we will be going to YING YING TEAHOUSE. Why? Because he said so. Usually I'm such a lovable wife (aka nagger) who would ask many questions on what, where, when, and why. But this time I was quiet. We WILL be in Binondo Manila, his favorite place besides Lucena, after all. 

Yes. The Chinese Adonis loves his authentic Chinese food. I would NEVER dream of meddling in his own "turf".

ERICJAZ FOODIES and the little lords are in Chinatown for the Chinese New Year!

And there is only one restaurant for lunch time for us. And it is...

YING YING TEA HOUSE!

Like in LUCKY RAINBOW SEAFOOD RESTAURANT in Binondo, Manila, there was also a long line during the Chinese New Year!

WELCOMING THE YEAR OF THE SHEEP (CHINESE NEW YEAR 2015)

For four years now, we have been going to Binondo Manila to celebrate the CHINESE NEW YEAR and this time, we will be welcoming the year of the SHEEP. It really started off as something we just wanted the kids to experience that one time last 2011 but then we had so much fun (the little lords excluded) that we thought of doing it a yearly tradition.

Our agenda for our YAPPY BUNCH CHINESE NEW YEAR is pretty simple: get a noble steed to take us to Chinatown, walk around and marvel at the sights, eat at a dingy but authentic Chinese restaurant, then troop on home again. Of course, I might have omitted the part wherein we will be squeezing in through sweaty crowds and the little lords whining to go home, but I don't want to risk the boys reading this and making up an excuse not to go next year. Ha ha ha ha ha!

Sorry! I know that the boys would rather stay home and just play video games or watch TV. But what will they really get from that? Good thing that the Chinese Adonis and I share the same sentiment that family bonding and memories are MADE and not PLAYED (with gadgets).

When they complain that they're tired or that their other classmates don't go to Binondo during the holidays, we would always quote the wise words of Calvin's Dad (y'know from CALVIN AND HOBBES?) that "these things build CHARACTER." So with that, the Chinese Adonis and I fully intend to bestow this very "challenging" and "strenuous" family activity upon them always.

Of course, with a side of dimsum. He he he he!

Kung Hei Fat Choi everyone!

I'm a Chinese Dragon with silver teeth fillings!

It's CHINESE NEW YEAR and we're going to welcome THE YEAR OF THE SHEEP!

Going to Manila that day was easy peasy and no traffic. I guess it has something to do with Ped Xing also celebrating something that day? I don't know who he is but most of the streets are named after him!!!!!!!!!!

Tee hee!

WELCOMING THE YEAR OF THE HORSE (CHINESE NEW YEAR)

For 3 years now, my little TEAM YAP family would go to Chinatown in Binondo, Manila to celebrate CHINESE NEW YEAR. What we usually do is park our car in Manila Cathedral and ride a horse drawn carriage (or kalesa) going to Ongpin Street in Chinatown. We do that for 2 reasons: One, parking would be impossible on the busiest day of the year in Binondo, and Two, because the kids loved horses and it's always a thrill for them to ride a "kalesa".

When we get to Chinatown, we would usually just walk around and fill up on street food or marvel at the celebration happening on the streets. Afterwards, we would eat at a simple Chinese restaurant then end our mini-party by another "kalesa" ride going back to the car.

We were all pretty much excited on doing this simple TEAM YAP tradition for another year. Of course, like what would always happen, there were some minor hitch and glitches that made it all the more memorable!

Kung Hei Fat Choi everyone!

Going to Binondo, Manila for the CHINESE NEW YEAR!!!

As always, we parked our car in Manila Cathedral, and looked for a mighty steed to take us to Chinatown. A ride would usually cost around P500 especially if you get the kalesa in popular areas (Fort Santiago, Luneta, etc) but when you haggle and hire one in non-tourist areas you'll get it for as low as P200.

MIRACLE ART EXHIBITION in MANILA

SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS...
I hope you have fun...
The near and the dear one...
The old and the young....

                              -- John Lennon

Unlike how we celebrated Christmas eve (see HERE) where we followed the tradition we hold most sacred, TEAM YAP now went for a different route in spending our day together as a family. Well I don't know about you, but this holiday season was also very tiresome that initially, I planned to spend the whole day with my husband in bed.

Now before porno music cues into your head (or my husband's har de har har), I meant that I will just SLEEP the whole day (you pervert... oops kidding don't block me).

Then, we remembered it would not be fair to the little lords to drag them into their parent's obscene laziness. Not only that, we also didn't want to be haunted by the words of John Lennon hoping that "we had fun". So amidst the Christmas hangover, we got up and decided to go out as a little family.

But where to? Certainly trips to the malls will be very ordinary on this special day. It should be a different experience for the kids!

And so we were led to the MIRACLE ART EXHIBITION! 

MIRACLE ART EXHIBITION in Manila!