Cheap Eats — President Restaurant

Chinese New Year (Year of the Dog) will be on January 29 this year, and if you’re planning to celebrate it, then the President Restaurant in Binondo is the place to dine in. But be forewarned, given its popularity, even with reservations, it may be a long wait if you go on New Year’s Eve. Why not celebrate before or after 29 January 2006 instead?

Hot Shrimp Salad-First, there’s the smooth creamy sauce, the crisp flaky shell and then the tender plump flesh of the shrimp, and given that it’s a mound of shrimp, at Php 350, it’s not bad at all.

Eel in Tausi Sauce- A bony part and a sudden bite into a chili ended my gustatory adventure, but this is the specialty of the house, and must be tried at Php 350/300g.

Squid in Salt and Chili- Simply fried and spiced, this is my second favorite after the hot shrimp salad, and it’s only Php 250.

Broccoli Flower in Garlic- Another simply cooked creation that’s so delicious at Php 200.

Yang Chow Fried Rice- One of the most popular versions of cooked rice, this Php 180 favorite disappeared really fast.

If you’re planning to go by car and you’re unfamiliar with the Binondo area, it would be best to come from Taft, and when you reach the fork, take the utmost left lane that goes up on the overpass to Binondo. If you turn right at the fork, you’ll end up in Quiapo instead.

Now, go all the way straight until you reach the Binondo Church, then turn right at Ongpin Street. After approximately 200m, you will see it on your right after you cross a miniscule bridge.

By the way, the 2-lane streets are forced to become 3-lane streets, with both sides filled with parked cars, and the center is the only one really used for moving vehicles. So if you’re not used to having other vehicles literally inches away from your own car, better ask another friend to be the driver.

Or, take the LRT 1, alight at the Carriedo station, and ask where the Sta. Cruz Church is, and you will be directed towards a rotonda. Right across the church is a street that’s with an overhead Chinese marker. That’s Ongpin St. To get to President is about a 15 minute leisurely walk through a very famous street that’s well-known for interesting finds.

Happy eating!

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