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Where to Find the Best Mami in Binondo
Come in hungry and leave full of 'mami' in these restaurants.
By: Patricia Marie Prado | September 15, 2017
Binondo, one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world, is known for its history, vibrant community, and, of course, food. For years, people have visited this little town in Manila whenever they craved for an authentic Chinese cuisine, from dumplings to noodles to yang chow rice.
But there’s one dish that connects the Filipino and Chinese community, and it is mami (soup with noodles and beef, pork, chicken or wanton). This hot bowl of soup may look uncomplicated, but it is packed with flavors that will fill one’s tummy!
Call your friends and make our list of the best mami in Binondo your next food crawl itinerary.
Masuki Mami Restaurant
931 Benavidez St., Binondo, Manila
Craving for a mami and siomai combo? Masuki can help with that! (Images: L, Kev Pua; R, Nathaniel Uy)
One of the food authorities in Binondo is Masuki Mami Restaurant. Although it opened in the 1930’s, their famous mami was created in the 1960’s. Masuki takes pride in its fresh noodles, which are made every day by kneading the dough with 7-foot wooden rollers. You can have your mami the classic way but you can also add side dishes like roast pork, wonton, or beef brisket, among others.
Wai Ying Fast Food
810 Benavides St., Binondo, Manila
Enjoy some mami with Hong Kong style noodles when you dine at Wai Ying. (Images: L, @jof_tan; R, John Cris Orenday)
Wai Ying Fast Food is popular for their hearty hakaw (dumpling with shrimp filling), but they also offer a selection of mami. Their thin Hong Kong-style noodles might make customers think that the dish isn’t that filling, but the secret is in the broth and toppings. You can order wanton mami or beef mami—both are crowd favorites which are well-loved due to the huge portions of their toppings. Those who are feeling a little adventurous can go for the roast duck mami instead.
Ongpin Mañosa Restaurant Co.
926 Ongpin St., Binondo, Manila
Devour mami with a twist of maki at Ongpin Mañosa. (Images: L, Luis Reambonanza; R, Aaron Gudi Ranas)
Opened in 1940, Ongpin Mañosa Restaurant Co is one of the oldest restaurants in the country. Aside from being admired for its age, Mañosa is also well-known for its maki—but don’t mistake it for the Japanese sushi dish. Their maki is a starchy, thick brown soup filled with pork. Technically it’s not really a mami, but Mañosa’s maki paired with noodles called makimi is a favorite dish among its customers.
Tasty Dumplings
620 Ongpin St., Binondo, Manila
Pair your mami with Pork Chop at Tasty Dumplings. (Images: L, Jen Jen; R, @pollux101)
If you’re a fan of pork, Tasty Dumplings is the best place in Binondo to satisfy your pork chop cravings. Their golden fried pork chop is carved thinly, and it expands as big as the plate. Aside from pairing it with rice, it’s also a great side when you order their mami. Although it looks humble with its clear broth topped only with scallions and onion, their mami is made better when their juicy and saucy pork chops are eaten with it.
Ying Ying Tea House
233-235 Dasmarinas St. cor. Yuchengo St., Binondo, Manila
Go beyond the usual mami and try new toppings at Ying Ying Tea House. (Images: L, Mark Anthony Kwok; R,life_with_jako)
Those who are looking for a fool-proof Chinese cuisine experience might like Ying Ying Tea House. From dumplings to noodles and rice meals, their authentic menu makes them one of the go-to places in Binondo. Ying Ying’s mami does not have the usual clear broth; rather, it consists of a savory brownish soup with thin noodles that fill the bowl to the brim. You can select a variety of toppings, from wanton or siomai to beef or white chicken to go on it.
Chuan Kee
650 Ongpin Street, Binondo, Manila
Chuan Kee may have a new look, but their mami is still a classic! (Images: L, Oliver Bugarin; R, Melliza Ann Yambao)
Another one of the old-time players in Binondo is Chuan Kee. During the 1990’s, Gerry Chua of Eng Bee Tin bought the restaurant from the original family and gave it a modern upgrade. It’s now a turo-turo restaurant (a type of restaurant where customers point at the food they want to order), but it still serves the classic Chuan Kee menu. Aside from their kiampong—the Chinese version of paella where the rice is cooked with soy sauce, pork, and veggies—people also come for their mami, which is known for its huge serving, savory broth, and packed toppings.
Ling Nam
T. Alonzo Street, Sta. Cruz, Binondo (bet. Zacateros St. & Ongpin St.), Manila
Ling Nam’s beef and wanton mami is still as authentic as it was more than six decades ago.. (Images: L, Noelson Eduard Vivas; R, Eron Eron)
Established in the 1950’s, Ling Nam is considered as one of the oldest and most authentic restaurants in Binondo. Although they are now franchised in various parts of the Metro, Ling Nam’s original branch in T. Alonzo is still worth the drive. It may be quite small and dark, but it still retains the flavors of the 1950’s Ling Nam. Fans of the restaurant know that the beef wanton mami is the real treasure here. Their version of mami contains hand-pulled noodles combined with soft and savory beef.
Mr. Ube Rice and Noodle House
707 Ongpin St. Binondo Manila
Mr. Ube Rice and Noodle House may be the youngest in the list, but their mami is not to be disregarded. (Images: L, @igor_rhubarbcake; R, Maricar Fernandez Barlisan)
Despite the array of established restaurants in Ongpin that serve mami, the one by Mr. Ube Rice and Noodle House has also gained a following after over a decade of operations. Their beef and wanton mami is created fresh every day and is known to have no monosodium glutamate (MSG) or chemicals, just like the rest of their offerings. Moreover, a single serving of this mami is good for two people already.
Are you ready to sate your appetite with these savory mami? Comment and let us know which of these restaurants you’ll try first!
Check out our list of restaurants in Binondo or browse the Dining & Leisure category in the Shoppersguide Directory.
About Patricia Marie Prado
Patricia came from the field of business and accounting but is now pursuing her dreams of being a writer. She is a self-confessed introvert and is passionate about reading, travelling, writing, movies, coffee and God. When she's not writing, she loves discovering new coffee shops/cafe and doing TV-series marathons.
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