Dong Bei Dumplings and Xiao Long Bao in Binondo, Manila
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| Dong Bei's Affordable Xiao Long Bao in Binondo, Manila |
Following up on our Binondo Food Trip - P250 Challenge, the next food stop after Sincerity Restaurant (where we had some Oyster Cake and Fried Chicken) is Dong Bei Dumplings and Xiao Long Bao!
When I blogged about Tasty Dumplings back in 2013, I received some recommendations regarding a good dumpling place in Binondo, as well. This happened to be Dong Bei, and although it has been long due, I finally was able to try the dumplings there! Hence, let me grab this opportunity to thank those who recommend me to try it!
Locating Dong Bei Dumpling
Dong Bei is located in Yuchengco Street. You may walk by Ongpin Street (the street on the right when you are facing the Historic Binondo Church), and turn left at the intersection. The signage isn't prominent, so you need to be keen to spot it. In order to help you out, here's a snapshot of the place, shot a few meters away from the store.
Fascination with the Process
Just to share something personal with you, I have been growing a fascination with cooking and anything related to the process of coming up with a dish lately. Being nosy as I may be from time to time, I decided to check out how they make the dumplings. Before the pandemic, Dong Bei allows dine-in, and this allows you to witness how the dumplings are made, as they make it fresh near the dining area. However, now they only allow take-out orders (cooked or uncooked).
When I blogged about Tasty Dumplings back in 2013, I received some recommendations regarding a good dumpling place in Binondo, as well. This happened to be Dong Bei, and although it has been long due, I finally was able to try the dumplings there! Hence, let me grab this opportunity to thank those who recommend me to try it!
Locating Dong Bei Dumpling
Dong Bei is located in Yuchengco Street. You may walk by Ongpin Street (the street on the right when you are facing the Historic Binondo Church), and turn left at the intersection. The signage isn't prominent, so you need to be keen to spot it. In order to help you out, here's a snapshot of the place, shot a few meters away from the store.
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| Dong Bei Dumplings in Yuchengco Street of Binondo, Manila |
Fascination with the Process
Just to share something personal with you, I have been growing a fascination with cooking and anything related to the process of coming up with a dish lately. Being nosy as I may be from time to time, I decided to check out how they make the dumplings. Before the pandemic, Dong Bei allows dine-in, and this allows you to witness how the dumplings are made, as they make it fresh near the dining area. However, now they only allow take-out orders (cooked or uncooked).
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| The Raw Dumplings of Dong Bei - hmmmm, looks amazing! |
Normally, they already have a meat mixture (the raw meat filling) on hand. What they do afterwards is to wrap and shape them in pouches giving it the traditional look. Oh, by the way, you may order frozen uncooked dumplings for take out at Dong Bei!
Dong Bei Dumplings - filled with kutchay and pork
Dong Bei Dumplings - filled with kutchay and pork
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| The famous dumplings of Dong Bei Dumpling Store |
Observably, the dumpling wrapper used was considerably light and thin unlike that of a Japanese Gyoza which can be one of the differences against the Chinese dumplings. The size of these dumplings is almost as large as the circle formed when you make an O sign using your hand.
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| Dong Bei Dumplings in its full glory! |
As for the taste, well it wasn't as spectacular as I first expected, but it wasn't bad at all. Perhaps, I am not just a dumpling-person. What I noted about the taste was the strong flavor coming from the herbs and veggies (i.e. chives and celery). Most of my food trip buddies enjoyed the dumplings, and I think I somewhat did too!
Now, here's something that made us all excited - The Xiao Long Bao! I don't know if this a bad thing or not, but my first taste of a Xiao Long Bao was exquisite causing my benchmark to be high (unfortunately, I forgot the name of the place where I had it).
Steamed Xiao Long Bao
Now, here's something that made us all excited - The Xiao Long Bao! I don't know if this a bad thing or not, but my first taste of a Xiao Long Bao was exquisite causing my benchmark to be high (unfortunately, I forgot the name of the place where I had it).
Steamed Xiao Long Bao
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| Steamed Xiao Long Bao of Dong Bei Dumplings in Binondo, Manila |
Being delicate as it is supposed to be, the Xiao Long Bao of Dong Bei must be handled with care. Some of us got so excited that they perforated the wrapper causing all the goodness to spill away, literally. Again, be gentle when you munch on these.
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| A Closer Look of Dong Bei's Affordable Xiao Long Bao |
As mentioned, I have a high benchmark when it comes to a Xiao Long Bao, and this resulted to a shallow appreciation of the Dong Bei's Xiao Long Bao. I am not quite sure, but it felt like it came in too far from what I had before. However, when I try to isolate this experience, I think they were decent and good enough as evidenced by my friends' reaction and review. The taste is close to the dumpling, but this has a more potent veggie and meaty flavor, plus the "soup inside" is a nice comforting food experience.
For food trip purposes, I still believe that you should have this in your must-trys, as well as the dumplings, especially when you haven't had them before. It will be a great adventure!
Here's a photo of my food trip buddies! I encourage you to engage in a food trip as well with your friends!
For food trip purposes, I still believe that you should have this in your must-trys, as well as the dumplings, especially when you haven't had them before. It will be a great adventure!
Here's a photo of my food trip buddies! I encourage you to engage in a food trip as well with your friends!
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| My Binondo Food Trip Buddies - the biggest I had so far |
As you may notice, the place is in no way grand; however, this just adds to the adventure. Also, this store can accommodate approximately 14 people.
Dong Bei Dumplings
Location: 642 Yuchengo Street, Binondo, Manila
Store Hours: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm daily (according to one of the staff there)
Wrapping Up
I wouldn't say that I had a magnificent experience with the dumplings and Xiao Long Bao. In fact, I still yet to find the best ones around the Metro. However, Dong Bei definitely qualifies as a food trip material!
Dong Bei Dumplings
Location: 642 Yuchengo Street, Binondo, Manila
Store Hours: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm daily (according to one of the staff there)
