Dong Bei Dumplings

We did a Binondo Food Crawl today and our last stop was Dong Bei. I love their dumplings!!! I can compare it to the dumplings of some Michelin restaurant and it will not disappoint. Though we’ve just tried theor best seller boiled kuchay with pork dumpling. Because there’s no available xiao long bao yet. We love that it is also near the house of Bingo on our favorite tv series “can’t buy me love”

I honestly get the hype! So we got 14 pieces of the kuchay dumplings. We got it freshly made and looked for a spot for us to eat it. Afterwards, we returned the container for them to dispose it properly. The line seems intimidating but as long as they had stock in hand it was pretty fast to get dumplings. You would finish it really quickly so try to gauge how much your group would eat but it is so good I wont blame you for ordering a lot.

After hearing a lot of buzz about this place, I finally decided to give their dumplings a try, and I must say, they’ve easily become my favorite in town. The dumplings were absolutely delicious—each bite was packed with flavor and had the perfect balance of seasoning. The filling was fresh and tasted like it was made with high-quality ingredients, which really elevated the overall experience. The wrappers were delicate but held up perfectly, creating a satisfying texture that complemented the filling. That being said, one downside I wasn’t thrilled about is that the restaurant is now takeout-only. This wasn’t always the case—before the pandemic, they offered dining-in options, which I really enjoyed. But like many others, they shifted to a takeout model after the pandemic, and it seems they’ve stuck with that ever since. It’s a bit of a letdown for those of us who love the option of sitting down and enjoying a meal in the restaurant’s cozy atmosphere. Still, I completely understand the shift, given the current circumstances. Despite the takeout-only situation, the food itself was incredibly fresh. Everything was packed neatly, and the dumplings still had that just-made quality even after the short ride home. They’re definitely a go-to for when I’m craving dumplings, and I wouldn’t hesitate to order from them again. Overall, while I miss the option to dine in, the quality of the dumplings is still top-notch and well worth it. It’s clear that the place puts a lot of care into their food, and I can’t recommend it enough if you’re in the mood for some of the best dumplings in town. Just make sure you’re ready for a takeout experience!

A few minutes walk away from our previous destination, we headed towards the direction of Dong Bei Dumplings—a takeout place that went viral on TikTok for its amazing dumplings placed in an unassuming styrofoam container. I wouldn't comment on the place, as we are not meant to eat inside, but I can applaud the staff members for their swift service and paying great attention to their dumplings. Unfortunately, the other food on the menu wasn't available at the time. 🥟 After waiting for a while in a line, it was finally our turn, and we ordered the fourteen pieces of dumplings that had an affordable price of 200 pesos. We ate at a place nearby, and when we took our first bite into it, it nearly burned our tongues due to how hot it was. Despite that, it was wonderfully juicy and filled to the brim with meat and vegetables that had a slight kick balanced with both saltiness and savoriness. It was quite filling, and we would return for more if we weren't full at the time. 🔥

Kuchay dumplings by Dong Bei A beloved snack in places like Binondo, Manila—especially famed at spots like Dong Bei in Chinatown. Tried the kuchay dumplings today and honestly, they didn’t live up to the usual standard. The filling lacked flavor, wrappers were fine, but the overall taste just felt flat. For something that’s usually packed with bold garlic-chive goodness, this batch missed the mark. Do yourself a favor and just make it at home to your liking.

we went there by 3pm.. they dont accomodate dine in customer , only pick up . only one food from their menu is available.. out of curiosity we still try whatever is available.. food is okay but i think pricey.. but not sure maybe because of how they prepare food

This is a hidden gem in Binondo. It's quite small, but the food makes up to it. If you want to taste authentic Northern Chinese dumplings without leaving Manila, this place is a must-visit. You can see how the dumplings are being wrapped, and you may order uncooked ones to take home. Since the area is quite small, you may have to wait during meal times, so be prepared. Also, it's not conducive for large group. Just take-out, if that's the case. Update: After the pandemic, they became a take-out only store. Nonetheless, their dumplings are still delicious and freshly-made.

If not for the soy sauce and chili sauce, their dumplings wouldn’t have any flavor. It was expensive for such dull dim sum.

Totally off the beaten path (I literally had to navigate over bridge spanning a canal of sewage, through a street that is apparently used as a parking lot, past numerous stray dogs, and into an alley that was a little sketchy), be persistent and use your map app and you will be rewarded. Even using my app, I almost walked right by the place because it's sign is small and long since faded and the entrance is a sliding glass door that looks like someone's porch entry into their home. If not for the lady visible in the glass door in a bright green shirt rolling out dumpling wrappers, I was unclear if I was at the right place. The sliding door really threw me off because you feel awkward sliding it open as if you are entering into someone's home. Once in it is a little more awkward because there does not seem to be a system to order or get a seat. (Getting a seat is going to be tough anyway as there are only about 15 seats in the place and several of them are taken up by the staff actually rolling out dough and stuffing dumpling wrappers amidst the patrons sitting next to them eating.) I ordered the pork steamed ones to go (14 to an order and it comes with chopsticks and a small knotted baggie of dipping sauce). These were the best dumplings I've ever had without a doubt. Wrappers are not quite paper thin but they are very thin and the filling is very porky with a lot of Chinese leek involved. Really, they don't get any better than this. This place has a following and is talked about by other foodies on their vlogs and it is no wonder why. Put this on your short list to visit when coming to Manila.

What makes this place as good as it gets is pure authenticity! After taking a horse ride tour of Intramuros (the oldest district of Manila), we made our way to the oldest Chinatown in the world. What you see is what you get in this little space of Chinatown in Binondo. The open glass window reveals dumplings in the making from scratch right at the front door. Dough being rolled and kneaded at the front door, mounds of chives being chopped 3 tables away, and pork and chives spooned into anticipated dumplings ready to eat in minutes - my mouth was watering. You are literally seated on simple tables, nothing fancy, and plastic chairs. There are no more than maybe 6 tables of 4-seaters since the dumpling station occupies part of the front half end of the restaurant and the chive chopping section is at the other end. It looks like an eat-and-go type of place. The menu provides about 20 items or so. Pictures are provided so you won't be totally clueless as to what you are ordering. They ran out of shrimp dumplings that day. We ordered soup dumplings (6 pieces for 120, or less than $3) and pork and chives dumplings (14 pieces, about $5). It does not get better than that! Cheap prices for really tasty dumplings. I think we inhaled it in 5 minutes. Okay maybe 10 minutes trying to prolong one dish to last before the next one came out with ravings of how good they were. I loved the homemade taste from each steaming dumpling. The soup dumplings were not the best I've ever had, but still homemade and delicious with every bite. I wish I could've eaten more pork and chives dumplings, but I was extremely full as it was only one of the many snacking spots we visited. Till next time.

Ok so you in Chinatown and don't know where to eat... well here you are; in Binondo down a small alley is a real taste of Northern China Dumplings. The place is small, so don't park the bus up the road thinking they will be able to seat all of you, come in a small group 2-4 people and you'll be happy. Order a plate of dumplings. One per person if your like me. Otherwise one plate for two people. Don't forget the fired meat stuffed pancakes. It's a change of texture from the dumplings. Why only four star?? Well they don't have beer, the hot sauce seemed very generic and store bought and the price for locals is a little high.

So, this little hole in the wall was the single best meal we ate during our entire trip to Manila. Holy smokes was it good! Though it looks a little sketchy, the food is totally worth it! Located in a little back alley in China Town, you walk through a sliding glass door into a cramped space with, like, 8 tables. Grab yourself a beverage, check out the menu posted on the wall, and order yourself the best meal you'll eat in Manila. We ordered the pork dumplings, the fried rice, and the stuffed pancakes. Everything was great. The fried rice is unlike any other I've ever eaten -- it was spectacular! The place is smokey, and through the entire meal, the staff never stopped chopping onions (our eyes were literally watering) -- but it was seriously amazing food. Get out of your comfort zone and eat at Dong Bei's Dumplings. It's totally worth it!

Overrated!we went here yesterday to try this dumplings,waited hours on the line,the staff are not that friendly and the star of the show their dumplings are so average...i had way much better dumpling than this.

If you must only go to ONE restaurant in Binondo, please let Dong Bei your choice. They make their dumplings fresh everyday, and are cheap! Really, where can you find such a heaping amount of dumplings for less than 150 pesos? (And not have to worry if what you're eating is indeed livestock meat instead of... stray cat or dog...) But the real kicker for Dong Bei are their xiao long bao! For those yet uninitiated to them, a xiao long bao is a dumpling with soup in them! Made by congealing the soup into a gelatinous substance before mixing it in with the filling and finally popping it in the steamer. The heat will melt the soup et voila: we are blessed with a bight of Chinese heaven. Fair warning though, they serve your baos REALLY fresh. As in, fresh out of the steamer so the soup can be downright scalding! For the best technique to enjoy your baos, delicately lift with a spoon and nibble an opening on the side, just enough to let the soup out, and enjoy just as you would with any spoonful of steaming soup! Dong Bei can only seat 15-20 people at maximum, and each table can seat around 4-5, so if you're doing a Binondo food walk, it's better to limit your group in multiples of 4 or 5, since most restaurants cannot seat big groups (with the exception of president's and sincerity, of course.) Happy eating!

A quick trivia: Binondo's the oldest Chinatown in the world, established as far back in 1594. A visit to the place would bring back the history lessons we all had in elementary school. It being founded so long, it's no surprise that it holds the reputation of being one of the best place to go food tripping. On the top of my list is Dong Bei Dumplings. It's tucked on Yuchengco street, it's signage not obvious right away. It's probably hard to find it before.. but nowadays, it's easier to spot because of the long lines forming outside it. It has become very popular for foodies now. But just in case you get lost, which has a big probability given the busy streets of Ongpin, look up and try to find the restaurant's name hanging just above the establishment. Food obviously is great! Try their fried stuffed pancake, a flat dumpling, fresh out of the pan. And the chives and pork dumpling, yummy!! It's light and flavourful. You can see the fillings right through the wrapper.. but it surprisingly holds when you dip in their soy sauce / vinegar. You also need to try their xiao long bao! While you can get carried away, popping the dumplings one right after the other, be sure to make room for more food! There's a hell lot more of delicacies to find in Binondo!

This sleepy little restaurant located on a side street of Manila's Chinatown does little looks-wise to set itself apart from the many other food places in the area. But, as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and in this case the pudding is dumplings. Steamed kutchay dumplings, to be precise, at a price that can only be described as "OMG, seriously?" for its low entry point and value for money. Inside, Dong Bei is small. Faded signs on the wall tell you what's available, and you can also order frozen packs to take home and steam at your leisure. While dumpling-making is pretty much a nonstop process at a window-side table, another table is usually co-opted as well, leaving just three four-seat tables for customers. The establishment is usually packed during regular mealtimes, with a bunch of other hungry would-be diners waiting their turn outside, so go at an off-hour to avoid the line or disappointment. There is no outdoor seating (the road is a step away from the door, after all).

Manila's Binondo district has become synonymous to authentic and delicious Chinese food, and some of the best dumplings, stir-fries, hot pots and braised dishes in Manila are prepared in the predominantly Chinese neighborhoods and streets of Ongpin and its surrounding environs. Binondo is the center of all Chinese commerce in the metro and is often the destination for "food walks" and "food trips" among the Manilenyos, and a trip to Dong Bei's hole-in-the-wall dimsum place must not be missed in one of such jaunts through the Chinese food epicenter. Dong Bei is nondescript at best. This joint is filed under my list of "you blink and you'll miss it" places in the metro. Tucked in a quiet corner just a little walk from the bustling Ongpin main street, Dong Bei's storefront is unremarkable - just a tiny sign announcing its presence and nothing more. However, what draws fans and their rave reviews are what is served in the store's bamboo steamer baskets: mouthwatering dumplings made of pork and chives, and the favorite xiao long bao (delicate dumplings with savory soup) . One could see a queue snaking outside of the store during the lunchtime rush. One can see the hardworking ladies wrapping the dumplings in-store - a guarantee of the freshness of the dumplings. A visit to the store will give you a front row ticket to a step-by-step demonstration of the dumpling-making process: one of the ladies rolling the dumpling skins from a big ball of dough, someone else chopping the greens and another store assistant stuffing the dumplings with various fillings. It is a mesmerizing process that people may find enjoyable to watch. You can also order the dumplings frozen and to-go, to be steamed, fried and enjoyed at home. What I love about Dong Bei is its humble and non-pretentious air. While some people may prefer going to their next shopping mall to enjoy dumplings from a big and established dumpling and dimsum store, Dong Bei's somewhat dingy but delightfully homey atmosphere is both welcoming and enjoyable. The food is great, and everything is good for sharing. You can even order several kinds of the dumplings to be able to sample all of their offerings. Make Dong Bei a stop after your next trip to nearby Divisoria. Duck into this wonderful dimsum restaurant to fill up after a leisurely stroll around the tourist-filled Chinatown.

So, this little hole in the wall was the single best meal we ate during our entire trip to Manila.

Dong Bei Dumplings is a hole-in-a-wall kind of resto that is tucked away in the small street of Yuchengco. It is often featured in food magazines serving the best dumplings this side of town. I do not agree with it but they serve good dumplings anyway. The dumplings are hand made and made fresh. If you're lucky, you can see that dumplings being made in front of you at one of the tables in the shop by the very friendly male owner. They have all kinds of dumplings, from the regular ones, to steamed, fried, flattened, rolled, etc. They serve good dumplings, but for me, not the best. It is subjective so you have to try it for yourself and be the judge. I prefer the dumplings of Tasty and Lan Zhou La Mien because of taste and texture.

Great hole-in-the-wall restaurant for dumplings! Super cheap and fresh! They said they have vegetarian options, but they were either out or really don't have that option. All their dumplings were made of pork and were delicious. The Xiao Long Bao skin was a little thicker than what I'm used to (Din Tai Fung) but still good and I would order it again. If I go back to Manila/Binondo, I'd definitely go back!!

Small place, with nearly 3 tables,and not inviting, we went in only because we it is recommended in several websites. We had a big surprise because the food is really great! We orderd the Kuchai dumplings, beef noodle soup and fried pancakes with sugar, all freshly made and delicious!

A friend who lives in Binondo recommended this place to me. She said this was where her mother and father would take her on some Sundays for no other reason than they thought the dumplings of Dong Bei are among the best in Chinatown, which is saying a lot. I had come to realize that the best Chinese restaurants are the little ones instead of the big fancy ones. Both kinds of restaurants can be excellent but there would most certainly be a big difference in prices. One other clue as to how terrific a Chinese restaurant can be is when most of the customers are Chinese who live in the area, rather than occasional visitors like me. Dong Bei certainly fit the bill. I was the only Pinoy in the place. All other customers were either Chinoy or pure Chinese. And yes, they were either seated to eat, or came in a steady stream ordering take out. What my friend forgot to tell me was what to order. So I asked the only other Pinoy there, one of the waitresses, what was good. Stupid question. Everything was good, she told me. So I did an eeny meenie minie moe and went for the fried dumplings. It seemed a little pricey at P180, but when my order came I was most happy. There was a lot of them little darlings. Long story short, them dumplings were most excellent. The place may not look like much, but I now have a new favorite where fried dumplings are concerned.

Others here have written at length about Dong Bei and how great it is, and I don't think I'm in any place to add any more since I had no idea this place was here until my lobster stuffed xiao long bao in my mouth. Seriously, I didn't even realize we were in a restaurant. I just saw a whole line of people, I stood in the street for about 15 minutes while my lobster disappeared, and he came back with what looked like bamboo containers filled with a whole bunch of dumplings, and a big smile on his face. We ended up feasting on two dozen dumplings right there on the street because we were hella hungry from exploring Chinatown. And how much did we spend on these two dozen dumplings? Less than 200. That's a bargain you just can't afford to miss.

Dong Bei was the restaurant that got me hooked on the whole Binondo food experience. After years of settling for pricey, underwhelming chinese food in the malls, I finally went to Binondo two years ago to try out the food there. My friend then brought me to Dong Bei first, and my life hasn't been the same ever since. Two simple truths: A) Great Chinese Food does not have to cost an arm and a leg, and B) Binondo is where it's at. Now Dong Bei may not look like much, but they do make their dumplings and dimsum fresh. Each dumpling is subtle yet flavorful, begging to be soaked in black vinegar for an explosion of sensation in your mouth. And the best part of all of this? A plate of dumplings will only set you back P100. That's fourteen dumplings. FOURTEEN. The only way this could get better for me is for Ellen Adarna to feed me those dumplings herself. Okay, oversharing.

I love dumplings!! I was super excited to go on a Binondo Food Tour a few months back because where else could one find amazing dumplings than China town itself! After 3 or 4 food stops, our tour guide finally brought us to a place call Dong Bei Dumplings, I was so excited!! He then mentioned he wouldn't bring us to where there was siomai or hakaw because we could get those easily, fair enough, I was still pumped up! Dong Bei serves dumplings from Northern China, they're filled with chives! They were different, but still very good! I was imagining that the chives would be overpowering but it turned out to be very balanced with the other tastes! I really enjoyed it! We ended the meal with what seemed to be somewhat like a pancake with super hot syrup on the inside, again a new one for me but I'm glad I got to try it! I'm convinced every little hole in the wall in Chinatown is delicious, they're all worth giving a try!

Hand down the best dumpling I have eaten. This historic China town has a lot to offer and this dent in the wall is a must try for anyone that visits will be eating here many more times before I leave the Philippines next month.

I don't understand what the fuss is about. The dumplings are mediocre and too soggy. The wait time is incredible. The place was half full but I still had to wait 45 min for my food. The dumplings themselves came out in 20 min, then another 25 minutes for the noodles and sugar pancakes. The dishes are given out still wet, and the place has a strong odour of the car exhaust of the bad traffic right outdoors. Honestly, even chowking dumplings are better.

Ate here as part of a walking tour of Chinatown. The pancakes and kutsay dumplings were part of the pre-arranged (by the tour) food items we sampled. The dumplings fell apart as you pickef them up with the chopstick. So we have to slurp them. Delicate filling. The pancakes were also pretty good. My tour companions ordered dumplings for take-out. They wanted additional sauce and were even willing to pay extra. But the owner didn't allow it! We found that rather odd.

A very small, hole-in-the-wall kind of establishment that one would easily miss in the excitement of Binondo Chinatown in Manila, Dong Bei Dumplings hail from Northern China, or so they say, and provide, well... dumplings. But a very, very wide array of dumplings, prepared fresh before your eyes by a staff that works hard on pressing, rolling, forming and creating them by filling them up with various meat and vegetables before they pat them down and store them in a freezer, waiting for a customer to pick them up. I had a taste of their "Kuchay" deal, which is one of the twenty or so flavors I could have chosen, since I was in the bit of a vegetarian mood. The dumplings only took five minutes to cook, and the staff shared us their cooking method; they are frozen in such a way that when exposed to boiling water, the moment they float and you see their transparent filling, they are done (and telling people this makes taking out their frozen meal possible). With this in mind, and chopsticks in hand, I had a taste and enjoyed the meal, indeed.

Dong Bei's dumplings are made fresh every day. They are authentic dumplings just like those that I had from mainland China. Although they are just like the dumplings I had in China, I've had better. I found the dough to be a bit too much and the pork filling was just a bit too porky for my taste. Aside from that, I found the taste to be a bit one dimensional. It's cheap and good for sharing. One order of dumplings will give you around 10-14 pieces if I remember right. I suggest coming here when you are with a group of hungry people on a budget or if you just want to stuff your face with some dumplings. They sell their dumplings frozen also so that you can take them home with you. Aside from dumplings, they have some everyday dishes like tomato and egg, noodles, fried rice, and a few others I can't seem to remember. I'm glad I gave it a try however I've had better and it wasn't anything exceptional.

I love dumpling and every time we visit Phillipines we always went to this restaurant Dong Bei Dumpling.