That Cool Chinatown Vibe with Sumptuous Dim Sum, Noods, Rice Toppings And An Inventive Secret Menu By The Binondo Boys

Any mere mention of Chinatown and the sights, sounds and flavors of the historic cultural and economic hub shuffles through your mental databank triggering fond nostalgic memories from childhood. No other ethnic enclave has had a lasting impact on the way we enjoy popular staples like dim sum, noods and rice toppings. With Binondo regarded as the world's oldest Chinatown established way back in 1594, it's no surprise that the bold and vibrant flavors of the iconic destination continues to comfort and warm our palates. No matter what the latest culinary trends are, Chinatown never fails to bring us back down to good, simple yet hearty cuisine. And Chef Mikel Zaguirre and Food Records Inc. honors both culinary tradition and creativity with his own inspired take at Binondo Boys...

Located in between a liquefied petroleum gas and a glass and aluminum shop, Binondo Boys is what you'd expect from a "hole-in-a-wall" 24/7 streetside destination down to its casual no-frills and cozy character and unpretentious personality. But when the newest dining concept in the QC 'hood includes Chef Mikel Ζaguirre leading the culinary team, you just can't pass it up. The same driven genius behind Kampai (see more on my post, Kampai! Chef Mikel Ζaguirre Redefines Japanese Bar Food At Kampai In Makati's Poblacion from four years ago), Locavore (more on my posts Let's Do Lunch...Locavore Style. from 2016 and A Weekend Brunch At Locavore also from nine years ago) and Mabuhay Cafe, Chef Mikel Ζaguirre shares his inventive and innovative culinary spin on classic Binondo-style Chinese cuisine at Binondo Boys. Plus an exciting Secret Menu you won't find in any Chinatown in the world...

The influences of Chinese cuisine in our own culinary heritage remain deeply embedded adding colorful layers to our mainstream tapestry of comforting flavors. At Binondo Boys, Chef Mikel Ζaguirre serves all the familiar staples from dim sum, noods and rice dishes and then some...

...reflected on the bare concrete walls within the compact space. In true Chinatown tradition, Binondo Boys offers both exceptional flavor and value in a seamless weave recreating the timeless vibe of the enduring 431 year-old enclave in old Manila. 

Plates, bowls and steamers are neatly stacked for the day's service. Open 24 hours and seven days a week, Binondo Boys is ready to satisfy any craving any time. Indeed, you just can't put a timetable on insatiable cravings. And Binondo Boys is there for you 24/7. 

Behind the novel dining concept is the culinary visionary Chef Mikel Zaguirre and his inspired twists making its own mark in his many restaurant ventures. The cuisine at Binondo Boys may appear straightforward at first glance with its focus on traditional Chinatown staples and excellent value, but each plate, bowl and steamer carries Chef Mikel Zaguirre's signature touch with its real and unrestrained flavors. Hungry? Let's eat...

Savory Dim Sum Bites To Start

Binondo Boys recreates the full repertoire of popular steamed and fried dim sum creations you'd find in Chinatown from the ubiquitous Pork Siomai to Hakaw, Sharksfin and Asado Siopao fresh off the steamer and fryer. 

Start with the Kutchay Dumplings (P 139-3 pcs) filled with juicy and savory pork and garlic chives with its fresh and clean notes...

...followed by the almost mandatory Pork & Shrimp Siomai (P 169-3 pcs) with its delicate yet savory richness matched by a succulent briny sweetness...

...and the bold and deep flavors of the Tausi Spareribs (P 199). And don't pass up on the Chicken & Mushrooms (P 139-3 pcs) and the Shrimp Wanton Dumplings (P 139-3 pcs) too. 

Binondo Boys also offers a selection of Lucky Sticks or skewered bites like the Lobster Ball (P 129-3 pcs per stick). Each juicy bite delivers a flavorful burst of sweet briny notes lingering long on the palate. Other Lucky Sticks include the Squid Ball (P 129-3 pcs per stick), Cheese Fish Bun (P 129), Crab Fish Bun (P 129), Crab Roe Bun (P 129) and Gindara Tofu Cubes (P 129). Slowly, the creative culinary style of Chef Mikel Zaguirre is unveiled at Binondo Boys one plate and steamer at a time...

Steamed buns, another popular Chinatown staple is well represented at Binondo Boys like the Bola-Bola Siopao (P 149-2 pcs). The moist filling leaves a savory richness after each bite and a delectable subtle sweetness, and another bite is soon well on its way. Other steamed bun options include the Asado Siopao (P 149-2 pcs), Jumbo Special (P 199) and Mantou (P 99-2 pcs). 

In between bites, enjoy a refreshing Special Melon Juice (P 149) to cleanse the palate, preparing it for another round of tasty bites at Binondo Boys. 

Bring On The Noods at Binondo Boys...

Noodles make up most of my memories of Chinatown, and Binondo Boys offers both soup and braised options taking you back on a nostalgic journey like the Beef Brisket and Tendon Noodle Soup (P 299-Junior/P 399-Regular). Imagine a bowl filled with all the flavors of Chinatown from the fork-tender beef brisket and melt-in-your-mouth tendon and soft yet firm noods in their signature special soup stock... 

...made even richer with its supporting cast of bokchoy, fried shallots, fried garlic, fried ginger, fresh onion leeks, cilantro and spring onions and a boiled egg to complete the flavorful medley. On the side, Binondo Boys kicks up the flavors with a serving of pickled wood ear mushrooms and white kimchi for the perfect finishing touch. More noods? Other noodle soup options include the White Chicken (P 279/P 379), Soy Chicken (P 289/P 389), Sharksfin (P 279/379) and Shrimp Wanton Dumpling (P 279/P 379). 

The hand-cut braised flat noodles also pack some serious flavors like the Soy Chicken (P 399) with soy-marinated egg, bokchoy, fried shallots, garlic, ginger, fresh onion leeks, cilantro and spring onions. Each noodle is infused with rich flavors from the signature special soup stock released with every mildly chewy bite. 

Binondo Boys does noods right. The Braised Flat Noodle Menu also features White Chicken (P 389), Sharksfin (P 389), Shrimp Wanton Dumpling (P 399) and Beef Brisket and Tendon (P 399). 

Did You Say Rice?

Completing the sumptuous ensemble of comforting flavors are the Rice Toppings specialties of Binondo Boys like the Tausi Spareribs Rice (P 329) with hardboiled egg and bokchoy for a complete meal in itself. The deep savory notes of the pork simmered and steamed in its own juices with black fermented beans brings the flavors pairing well with the steamed white rice. The egg and bokchoy completes the meal. 

The Lemon Chicken Rice (P 299) brings a fresh and zesty twist to a comforting meal with its bright and vibrant notes...

...while the Sweet & Sour Pork Rice (P 329) with crisp and juicy pork draped in the familiar and even nostalgic sauce brings a comforting bite with each spoonful. 

The White Chicken Rice (P 299) is another classic perfectly executed by Chef Mikel Ζaguirre's team at Binondo Boys. Fresh ingredients and tradition come together in another masterful rendition at QC's newest "hole-in-the-wall" dining destination. But there's more...

Introducing The Crouching Tiger Secret Menu at Binondo Boys...

Alongside traditional renditions are Chef Mikel Ζaguirre's personal interpretations of inspired Binondo fare differentiating Binondo Boys from the usual Chinese joint. Where else can you find unique dishes like the Brisket & Tendon Kare-Kare Noodle, Hot Pot Sandwich and Mapo Silog? That's right, only at Binondo Boys...

Accessible via a special QR Code, the Crouching Tiger Secret Menu at Binondo Boys is one more flavorful layer in the "hole-in-the-wall" spot along Scout Torillo. And that's more reasons to visit Binondo Boys and experience the secret menu. Take the Hot Pot Sandwich (P 590) with slabs of fork-tender roast beef belly, hand-sliced noodles, pickled vegetables and a bowl of Sichuan broth for dipping. Part banh mi, part French dip roast beef sandwich, the mash-up works. And you'll know from that first bite. The delicately crisp baguette becomes the perfect vessel for the generous filling of roast beef belly, noods and pickled vegetables, remaining firm all the way to the last bite. 

The slabs of roast beef belly are tempered by the medley of pickled vegetables with its sharp notes for a delightful play on contrasting textures and savory notes. 

But it's that dip in the Sichuan broth that seals the deal, delivering multiple layers of flavors with every bite. And this is high up on my list of personal picks at Binondo Boys. 

Noods get the full Chef Mikel Ζaguirre treatment with the Brisket & Tendon Kare-Kare Noodle (P 590), a playfully inventive rendition with hand-sliced noodles topped with fork-tender beef brisket slathered with creamy kare-kare sauce and served with a side of bagoong XO sauce. From the beef and noods to the kare-kare sauce and XO sauce with fermented shrimp paste, each component complements and builds on the other for another creative expression by Chef Mikel Ζaguirre. It just works. One might wonder why no one thought of this unexpected fusion of flavors and culinary cultures in a bowl before but leave it to Chef Mikel Ζaguirre to serve up another surprise...

...with the Mapo Silog (P 389), a unique spin for a rice meal with savory and spice red bean giniling, Sichuan peppercorns, soy milk egg and crispy wanton chips served with egg fried rice. 

Chef Mikel Ζaguirre reimagines the traditional and popular Sichuan staple with his own inventive play on textures and flavors. It's these elegantly creative renditions from the Crouching Tiger Secret Menu that elevates the "hole-in-the-wall" dining experience at Binondo Boys. 

Whether you go for the timeless and enduring staples of Chinatown or dare to venture on an inspired and fresh take on familiar flavors, Binondo Boys is your spot in QC. Dim sum, noods, rice toppings and the exciting Crouching Tiger Secret Menu, you'll find all these in between a liquefied petroleum gas and a glass and aluminum shop along Scout Torillo...

Binondo Boys is located at 37 Scout Torillo, Diliman, Quezon City, 1128 Metro Manila. You can also view their social media feeds at https://www.facebook.com/p/Binondo-Boys and https://www.instagram.com/binondoboys for more information and updates.

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