Discoveries at my Binondo Walk Tour + Lido Cocina Tsina 80th year celebration

Chinese cuisines have been a big part and influence in the Filipino food culture. From Siopao to Siomai, to pancit and lumpia, just to name a few, have become too famous for us that we already made it of our own. And being too popular, these foods can be enjoyed and almost be bought in every corner of Manila.

Having Fried Siopao while on the tour.

Have you heard about the word “COCINA”? As the culture vulture and historian Carlos Celdran said, the term is used to describe the fusion of Chinese and Filipino food. And if you’re on a lookout for an exciting mix of history and tradition, LIDO COCINA TSINA, makes it evident in its many offerings.

Since 1936, LIDO has been offering different legendary dishes that already earned a cult following among Chinese food lovers. One of which is its famous Pugon Roasted Asado made from choicest pork loin meticulously roasted everyday in the restaurant’s brick oven. And we were able to take home a slice of it on our tour!

Celebrating it’s 80th year, LIDO COCINA TSINA held a legendary throwback taking us (guests) to a historical walk down the street of Binondo led by non-other than the historian Carlos Celdran. It was an amazing journey of culture, history and food!

It wasn’t my first time to visit this place and I’ve been here for so many times. But this was a bit different, having someone to give you stories you never heard before that will make you want to see things beyond what you see at present. Plus I could be able to go hunting Pokemons as well! lols!

An air-conditioned jeepney brought us from Sofitel to our starting point in Binondo – Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, which is considered as a major public square in Binondo, Manila bounded by Quintin Paredes Street to the east and Juan Luna Street to the west, parallel to the Estero de Binondo.

Here Celdran tells us the origin of the name “Binondo”, and other places in the Philippines like “Lugar na madilim – Diliman”, “lugar na munti – Muntinlupa”, “itchy place – Makati”, etc. and of course the place which comes from the word “Binundok” which was eventually shortened to what it is called today as “Binondo”.

And did you know that it was just in the reign of President Marcos that the government recognized the place as Chinatown? Celdran pointed this to us when we pass through the Arcs of Binondo, where a phrase were scribe to it “Support new society” which is also known in tagalog as “Supurtahan ang Bagong Lipunan.”

Binondo was also popular before with its advance tramway system via Manila Electric Railroad And Light COmpany, which is popularly known now as MERALCO. As Celdran said, the Filipinos were fooled before after the tramway was demolished by the Americans, they capitalizes the opportunity by selling their used Jeep and convert it into a vehicle what we know now. Here’s a shot of what MERALCO built before.

Down the esquinita in T. Alonzo, Celdran led us to the first location of the authentic PANCITERIA LIDO, it is no longer in Binondo and is now known simply as LIDO COCINA TSINA. Here we were able to have a tastes of their famous Pugon Roasted Asado on the go along with LIDO’s senior chef, Chef Abe himself!

It was indeed an amazing adventure and I would gladly do this again. As for LIDO, they have managed to continuously innovate while remaining true to their history. Have a taste of history by visiting LIDO COCINA TSINA near you. More photo here. 

To know more about LIDO, check out the LIDO FB page www.facebook.com/LIdoCocinaTsina

Until our next discovery in the City!

またね Mata ne! 

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