Text and photos by VINCENT GO
THE Chinese New Year is considered the most important holiday on the Chinese calendar. The first day of the Lunar New Year falls on Monday, Jan. 23, which has been declared a public holiday. This means it’s going to be a long weekend, the perfect time for ordinary citizens to get a chance to visit Manila’s Chinatown and join the celebrations.
According to the lunar calendar, 2012 is the Year of the Water Dragon, which begins on Jan. 23, 2012 and ends on Feb. 9, 2013. The dragon, a mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac, represents power and good luck, and is considered to be very auspicious this year.
Chinatown is now abuzz with everything that could help bring good luck, from lucky charms and lucky fruits to red packets and decorations to ward off bad vibes and anything related to the Chinese New Year celebration.
Food plays an important role in the festivities, as it is also the time when family members gather for their reunion dinner to strengthen the family bond.
For those planning to venture into Chinatown this long weekend, here is a simple guide to places that have made their mark in Chinatown’s food scene:
- Salido Restaurant located along Ongpin Street, known for its brewed coffee and pork asado (roast pork).
- Ongpin Mañosa Restaurant located along Ongpin Street for its pork or beef maki, a type of thick Chinese soup.
- LGA Fast food at Estero and Ongpin for quick Chinese-style food cooked on the spot.
- Po Heng located along Quintin Paredes Street for authentic Chinese-style lumpia (spring roll).
- Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant along Yuchengco Street known for its fried chicken, ngo hiong (more popularly known as kikiam to Filipinos) and duck misua soup.
- Dong Bei Dumpling along Yuchengco Street for authentic hand-rolled dumplings.
- President Tea House along Salazar Street for delicious dimsum.
- Quick Snack along Carvajal Street for its misua guisado (stir-fried misua) and sate chami (stir-fried noodles with sate sauce) .
- Shin Ton Yon Food on Salazar Street for takeout of delicious Chinese delicatessen like pork asado and stuffed pork leg.
And of course, what is Chinese New Year without the tikoy that can be found at almost all corners along Ongpin during the festivities? This sweet, sticky rice cake is believed to keep harmony and closeness in the family.
May the Year of the water dragon bring great good luck, good health and prosperity to everyone.
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