Sweet, sweet gems you can find in the streets of Binondo
The Binondo is admittedly a haven for locals and tourists for savory Chinese Cuisine. But what is not known to many is that there are also hidden gems for our sweet-tooths here, just waiting to be discovered.
MOUNT EVEREST by Escolta Ice Cream & Snacks
Located in the quaint and historical streets of Escolta, Escolta Ice Cream & Snacks offers a variety of affordable meals and quick snacks. And remaining true to the name of the store, this ice cream shop has put a twist to its food selection, by including ice cream in its value meals. But what really caught our attention is one of its desserts: Mount Everest. Made up of nine (9) scoops of ice cream, this cold treat would surely remind you of the highest peak on Earth. What’s also cool with this is that you get to choose from their wide range of Big Scoop flavors, some even unique to their store.
White Fungus by Quik Snack
Its name is what piqued our interest to try this, not gonna lie. They're not gonna serve us fungus, will they? A handful of soft, white, fungus swimming in a pool of golden brown soup, making it look like tiny jellyfishes. Do not get fooled by its appearance, though! To an unfamiliar eye, it might appear strange and might make one adamant to give it a go, but it's actually delicious! Its gelatin-like texture and sweet taste hits too close to home. It's similar to our very own, sago't gulaman! Filipinos will definitely enjoy this treat and satisfy their cravings without a steep cost!
ALMOND JELLY by Sincerity Restaurant
More famous in China and Hong Kong, this dessert has received varying opinions here in the Philippines. With it’s unconventional yet sweet taste, Sincerity Cafe’s version of it would surely make the not-so-fans of it want to give it another try. And sure enough, you won’t regret it. For only 50 pesos, this gelatin-like treat turned thirst-quencher would surely help you beat that summer heat. Sincerity Cafe has found a perfect balance for the juice and the jelly itself, compared to the other shops we’ve tried offering the same treat. Just take a little trip down the small alley of Carvajal to enjoy this.
CREAMY GRASS JELLY by Sincerity Restaurant
True to its name, it is a mixture of sweetened milk, grass jelly, and sago. Unfortunately, they do not have sago available when we tried this. Grass jelly, typically known as one of the topping choices of popular milk tea brands, has a mild and slightly bitter taste. In contrast to the sweet and creaminess of the milk, it is a cheap go-to dessert for some If you don't want to spend much for a dessert but want to escape the heat and satisfy your sweet tooth craving, a simple bowl of creamy grass jelly is a great summer cooler for you!
ICE CREAM TEMPURA by Sushi Yum
The name itself might make several heads turn slightly in confusion and a few might do a double take but this is not the kind of seafood-meets-dessert kind of treat! We've seen various trends that involve ice cream, with rolled ice cream being the latest, but fried ice cream should be on your next dessert list! Coated with tempura batter and then fried in a hundred degrees of boiling oil, this treat is a must-try! The crispiness of the tempura coating mixed with the softness of the vanilla ice cream inside makes a perfect contrast of texture in every bite! The hint of saltiness of the coating perfectly balances the sweetness of the ice cream. There is something about the balance that the hot-cold, and sweet-salty combination brings that makes me want to indulge in it everyday! The only downside about it is that it melts easily so make sure you dig in before it does! It also comes in two flavors: chocolate and strawberry.
CUSTARD HOPIA by Eng Bee Tin
Eng Bee Tin has made itself a household name for delectable hopia in Binondo. Being a home for a wide-array of sweet treats, the hopia king has introduced yet another innovation -- creamy custard hopia! Best served cold, this gooey treat has rapidly gained popularity among the hopia chain's customers. It offers three delectable flavors; Premium hopia custard classic, which is a fusion between the classic hopia and the luscious custard or leche flan; Ube; and Buko; for a more traditional flavor For our first-timers out there, we do recommend trying the original flavor, because as the saying goes, we can never go wrong with the classics.
OREO MILKSHAKE AND CHURROS by Cafe Aquatica
Known for its unique concept as an aquarium cafe, Cafe Aquatica is a refresher from the urban life (without actually going outside it). This concept store is located just beside the famous Binondo Church. Now, curious as to why these became their best sellers, we tried both and were shocked to discover that, with the crunchiness of the unsweetened churros, paired with the sweet oreo milkshake, these two actually (and interestingly) complement each other. However, if you are not much of a fan of super sweet stuff, you might get overwhelmed by the milkshake. Hence, you may opt for their Coffee Overload Milkshake to balance it all out.
HANDCRAFTED DESSERTS by Mento
Make a one stop shop at the top of Ramada by Wyndham Manila Central to satisfy your sweet cravings! Mento Halo Halo is made of a melon based shaved ice that comes in two version - Sunrise and Sunset. The interesting difference between the two is something you need to find out for yourself when you visit. If you are looking for something more unique and that can tranport you to the streets of Asian countries like Thailand and Japan, sink your teeth in Mento's Tropical Paradise, Mango Sticky Rice and Raindrop Cake!
Found something new in Binondo? We would love to hear them! If you need a hotel in Binondo to stay and relax, Ramada by Wyndham Manila Central is right here for you. Inquire now to avail our Best Room Rate and Package for the month. For more information or reservations, contact us at 8588-6888. You may also reach us via our Social Media Pages.
