The Second Time Around

Last Saturday, our second Binondo (food trip) visit pushed through! 

My friend had been inviting our other old colleagues to come with us but some were not available last Weekend, some, have personal reasons. We pursued the food trip even if we’re only three. It would always be the experience that counts, and, the quality could never be measured by the number of people who made up the trip. I always believe in quality over quantity :) 

We were supposed to meet at Mc Donald’s Binondo by 11 am but I went out of the house at 10:30 so I advised them that I’d be late. It so happened that my friend had to go back to their house because she forgot to bring the “puto-Marikina” we asked her. When I was in Quirino cor. Taft Avenue, they sent me a message telling they were still on a bus at Legarda and will be hailing a jeepney at Philippine Normal University (PNU), so I said I’d be waiting for them at PNU.

I arrived first but didn’t take so much waiting for my two friends. By 12 noon, we were Binondo-bound. Traffic was really evident just after passing Park&Ride. It was not unusual. It’s actually a normal situation at Binondo during weekends plus, everyone seemed to be going to Divisoria for their respective Christmas shopping. 

We were really hungry so we decided to go to SINCERITY first before going elsewhere. We loved and we missed their fried chicken. If you’re planning to go to Binondo, I would suggest you visit Sincerity (located at Yuchengco St.; to go there, you could pass by Carvajal St., when you reached the end, turn right and just walk straight and keep right )  Half chicken costs 150 Php; while the whole Chicken costs 300 Php. You’d definitely love their chicken, if you’re looking for a different taste, this would be the one!

Second stop: Dong Bei Dumplings (Yuchengco St. Cor Tytana)

 

From Sincerity,we just walked straight passing by Chuang Kee and a school ( I think that was Lorenzo Ruiz Academy).

The glass with Chinese Characters plus the ladies creating something would be your mark, plus, they have a signage big enough to see their name and for them to be located. Funny thing because at first, we were a bit hesitant to come inside as we saw a lady dumpling maker in front of the restaurant. After a few seconds of figuring out if we're entering the right door, we decided to enter as we didn't see any other doors of the restaurant. 

If this was the only menu, we would be staring at this the whole day :))

The menu given to us :)

We ordered:

Tofu, 150 Php

Dumpling (vegetarian stuffing), 80 Php

The Tofu had a stuffing too! I think the vegetable stuffing on the dumpling was also the stuffing on the Tofu.

After our Dong Bei Dumplings moment, we just walked around because we were so full. We were supposed to stop at Binondo Church to utter our prayers but there was an ongoing wedding so we just went to Eng Bee Tin instead, buy our pasalubongs then rode a jeep going to Taft.

The minutes we spent on the jeepney going to Taft seemed very long and exhausting. The jeepney ride turned out to be a roller coaster ride. I spent my college years in Taft but I never rode with a driver who drove like crazy!

At Taft, we went to Flaming Wings. We need sugar rush because we lost our energy on our jeepney ride. :P
We ordered Wicked Oreo to satisfy our sweet tooth.

Deep Fried Oreos with Vanilla Ice Cream

Sweet craving at 75 Php

Another must try! I totally forgot about my diet. I may never get to try this when I get to work again :))

Yummy dessert on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Manila. 

We didn't stay long at Flaming wings. After we finished our respective plates, we went to Noriter located along Estrada St. It was my second time at Noriter. Since it was a Saturday, the place was not jam packed. You could easily find a seat and you're more free to take pictures of the Coffee Prince-ish place.

Sharing a slice of Sansrival with friends (90 Php/slice)

Goofing around with Lars and Geli

 More Noriter photos:

By 6 pm, we left Taft. By 9:00 I'm at home, after the 1 hour waiting at the bus terminal and the almost 2 hour ride going back home to Cavite.

Expenses for the Day (food):

Sincerity ( All expenses paid, but if not) : 150 (chicken) / 3 = 50

                                                               drinks =  35

                                                             _________________

                                                                       85

Dong Bei Dumplings:   Dumplings = 80

                                   Tofu  = 150

                                               _____________

                                                 230 / 3 = 76.67 

Flaming Wings: 75

Noriter: 90 (slice) / 3 = 30

Total: 85+76.67+75+30 =  266.67 

Coffee after Novena

Weeks ago, my friend, Chai told me about this cafe located at Taft Avenue. She asked me if I've heard about Cafe Noriter, I said it sounded new to me, maybe it was not there yet during the time I was at La Salle. She said the place looked cool and it would be a perfect place for us to take our pictures. So I checked the place via google and results said it was located at the 2nd Floor of Tapa King. Now, I know, and now my answer was right, it wasn't there before I graduated. 

 From the cafe's website:
Noriter(Korean Term) meant Playground. 
From the name itself, Cafe Noriter would be a good place to chill and have fun. 


After attending the 11 am novena at St.Jude, Chai and I had our lunch at KFC and then later on headed to Quiapo to look for something. After battling the heat at Quiapo, we're all set to check out Cafe Noriter. 


As expected, I had some sort of reminiscing my La Salle days. I missed my alma mater and would definitely miss it now that I'm back home. The traffic situation at Taft Avenue was just the same as before, there had also been some changes like Cafe Noriter, California Berry, Deco's etc., and I would like to mention the renovation of University Mall (U.M.). 


Cafe Noriter, like what I've mentioned was at the 2nd Floor of Tapa King (Estrada cor.), across DLSU and if via Estrada St, it would be across Tropical Hut. You wouldn't miss Tapa King. It was the company's second branch, first was at Dumaguete.


The place was not  jam packed when we arrived, well, less than what I expected. Before we ordered, we took photos first then photos again while waiting for our blended Frappucino. By the way, they also had smoothies, so if you're not into coffee, better try fruit drinks. Starbucks had more varieties and a little cheaper. They also had pastries but I would still crave for Cinnamon Roll and Cinnanmon Swirl. 

Although I'm already 22, I'm still a kid by heart :) 
I appreciate the express-yourself-cups near their "kitchen". 

You could design your cups, just ask for assistance:

Unlike all other coffee shops, Cafe Noriter, was and I think, the only place where I saw students sleeping. Yeah, literally. Anyway, I still appreaciate the place giving a carefree, free spirited, cozy and playful aura. The white walls reminded me of the Korean TV Series, Coffee Prince.  

wall design

 This was actually a table:

 We could not help but notice the tables. I like the idea of putting pictures of some landmarks, random photos and drawings of whatever. Pouring out your creative juices would not be so bad!

another table

In a way, the place looked like a classroom / laboratory too with the rectangular black board on the side and a long table.

The place,when it comes to the interior was really far from all other coffee shops that were of minimalists. Cafe Noriter would not be the best place for you to study. Different voices enveloped the place. You could never memorize even a single sentence from your lesson if you would want to stay there before your quiz. Stay at the library instead, or maybe at Starbucks, but not at Cafe Noriter. The place was not conducive for serious tasks or matters. :P If you just want to hang out or catch up with your long lost friends, they're open from Monday - Saturday,(9:00 am-11:00 pm from Mondays thru Fridays and 11:00 am - 10:00 pm every Saturday) .

*photos courtesy of Chai