Wai Ying

Binondo has tons of ridiculously affordable Chinese restaurants. But many friends and colleagues swear by the legendary Wai Ying restaurant in Binondo that offers dirt cheap dim sum with exceptional quality and taste.

It was my first time visiting Binondo a couple of weeks ago. After that, I couldn't stop thinking about their food.

You might wonder: how cheap is dirt cheap? Here's their menu as of October 2018:

     

Now isn't that dirt cheap? 

Of course, what's the point in dirt cheap prices if the food is terrible? But that's where Wai Ying breaks the norm (of scrimping on ingredients). Because the food is darn good.

Asado siopao

I have been searching for good siopao spots and I think Wai Ying's version is delicious. The bao is light and fluffy, as soft as pillows. The char siu inside has different textures (chunky and not chunky) and the sauce blend has just the right amount of sweetness without going overboard. Ratio-wise, there's a good distribution of char siu to bao.

Even though some people say other Chinese restaurants are better, I argue that this one isn't a bad option. 

TFD's rating - ♡♡♡♡ (Chinese people will say "what" but idc, fight me)

Hakaw

This one I didn't like that much especially with the hype from many reviews. At its price the order isn't bad but the wrapper is flimsy and the filling's taste is just 'okay'. But there are a couple of shrimps inside each dumpling so you're getting, uh, value for money. I personally don't order this because I've had better ones somewhere else for double the price (coming up in a different post soon).

TFD's rating - ♡♡♡ 

Beancurd roll

This one's pretty good. Each roll is robustly filled with ground meat, whole (small) shrimps, mushrooms, and vegetables. You can order this to get full easily.

TFD's rating - ♡♡♡♡

Asado fried rice

I expected so much from this! And I was let down so bad. The rice is stale; each grain feels like a day-old hardened rice that needs to be sauteed in the wok to become delicious again. The shrimps in the rice are equally stale as well.

The asado is... okay. It's not juicy, but thankfully it's not tough either. I would probably combust in a rage if that happened. The sauce is okay. After eating at Kam's Roast, I don't want to be served with anything of quality that's below their toro char siu (also coming in the next few posts).

TFD's rating - ✗ (do not order if you do not want to be disappointed)

Cold milk tea

It's a plain milk tea. People say it's too sweet, but don't take their word for it (unless they can't tolerate sweet things). It's cold. It's refreshing. Tastes of equal parts milk and tea. Cold milk tea.

BTW they don't provide service water (unless you want tap water), so you might want to order this one to down all the dim sum you're gonna eat.

TFD's rating - ♡♡♡

And saving the best for last...

💕 Lava pao 💕

Molten lava buns are my favorite dessert dim sum ever. The 'lava' is made from salted egg yolk custard which is then encased in your regular bun. Order it piping hot and gently open from the center to watch the custard flow like a lava. But the lava bun is not just for show; the custard is thick, gloopy and sweet. If you've tried Din Tai Fung's lava bun, I would say the custard is very similar to Wai Ying's.

At 90 pesos for two pieces of lava bun the size of a fist, this one is the ultimate value for money at Wai Ying. I always make sure I order one whenever I dine there.

TFD's rating - ♡♡♡♡

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I also tried more dim sum from Wai Ying but forgot to take photos. Maybe next time.

Wai Ying has branches at Benavidez Street, Binondo; G/F EGI Taft Tower, Taft Avenue; and 3/F Food Court, 168 Shopping Mall, Binondo.