New Normal Chinese New Year 2021 Celebration

We arrived early to visit some relatives and friends living in Chinatown,Manila. The new normal Chinese New Year celebration is very much subdue with very little fireworks display, dragon and lion dance is limited only to IATF approve guidelines.

This marks the arrival of 4719 year of the metal ox, since the Chinese lunar calendar was invented.

New Normal Chinese New Year 2021 Celebrations

Unlike the previous Chinese New Year celebration, 2021 celebration is more of close knit with fewer people ever ventured in Chinatown’s Manila and Chinatown in Quezon City.

fewer people came and joined the celebration

People had to wear face mask, face shield, one must observe minimum health protocols, guidelines set by the local government and IATF. This was is stark contrast prior to the coronavirus 2019 lock down in middle of March 2020. Before the pandemic, Business was brisk with hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life would visit Manila and Quezon City Chinatown to celebrate, buy their favorite nian gao, ti ke or tikoy and even dine-in their favorite restaurants.

New Quan Yin Chay Vegetarian restaurant Ongpin street corner Salazar street

The annual parade and other activities were canceled by the Manila City government via executive order no. 4 series of 2021 stating that no dragon dance, street party, stage show, parade or any other similar activity will be held for the celebration of Chinese New Year from February 11 to 12, 2020.

charm store along Ongpin street

We were not able to visit some sites like Buddhist temples and Chinatown Museum located at Lucky Chinatown Mall . There were also fewer ambulant vendors and peddlers along Ongpin street.

Heritage advocates like Mr. Allan Martinez, Ms. Mabelle Tenorio visited the Masuki Noodles along Benavidez St, Binondo and some parts of Manila’s Chinatown later part of the day and enjoyed the noodles.

Masuki mami

We decided to leave to leave the place at around past 11:00 am after shopping and visited Banawe, Quezon City.

Note and special “Thanks” To Mr. Allan Pardilla Martinez for some of the photos posted in this site.

Kung Hei Fat Choi, Gong Xi Fa Chai , Kiong Hee Huat Chay !!!!!

Advertisement

Delightful Sip at ChawadiCup Tea in Ongpin Street

It was hot sunny day on September 5, When a small group of heritage advocate went and have an impromptu Chinatown heritage and food stroll.

ChawadiCup stall, Ongpin street

It took us sometime to walk from Santa Cruz church ground towards Chinatown LaiLai Hotel then thru Ongpin street. We  saw a well-lighted signage and two friendly sales personnel. They told us that they just opened about a month ago.

Cha Yen and Chewy Watermelon

My friend, Ms. Lin Deres decided to take a short break and opted to order their best selling drink Chewy Watermelon ( Php 138), while i ordered their famous Cha Yen ( Php 108)- We told the sales personnel to only use 20% sugar syrup with less amount of caffeine. Since we do not like sweet tea or milk teas before we ate lunch.

ChawadiCup menu board

The packaging is neat and the plastic containers is quite sturdy, unlike the other milk teas in the market. We are their first “suki” customers of the day.

Their name is also quite catchy- It is like Sawasdee Kap- which is a greeting in Thai language.

sales personnel

ChawadiCup Tea History

ChawadiCup, Ken and Wilson, met by a chance when they were working in the same district in Bangkok. It wasn’t long before the friends found that they shared a common interest in tea, and soon started a journey of tea-sampling across Thailand.

In the Philippines, They opened a store in Araneta Center and their Ongpin street branch is one of the first franchise to open. According to Mr. Vince ( sales personnel) ChawadiCup is planning to open more store within Metro Manila and nearby provinces. The have 16 flavors to choose from, Unlike the other powdered milk tea which proliferates within the city, They would use natural ingredients sourced from local and within Southeast Asia.

The stall is located just beside Friendship Drugstore near the famed Ongpin estero. we had a wonderful experience at this stall.

Note: Prices quoted are based on the time that the author went to the branch in Ongpin street and are subject to change without prior notification. The author is not connected with the branch nor is paid to do marketing in behalf of the company.

ChawadiCup Tea- Ongpin Street branch

Address: 755 Ongpin street, Chinatown, Binondo, Manila

Operations: Everyday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm

Chinese Lauriat Dishes at Lido de Paris

 Lido de Paris is a hotel complex with restaurant and several commercial establishments located within its premises. The place is conveniently located at the heart of Manila Chinatown. This hotel opened few years ago with 3 star rating and catered to Filipino-Chinese communities and even expats on business and on tour.

Lido de Paris

A make shift stage is usually built near the hotel entrance during Chinese New Year celebrations where cultural and lion dances are performed.

Lido de Paris Hotel boasts of its modern facilities and services such as theKTV — Mikolette Salon ,One & Only Spa Center and also 121 Gym.

We have eaten at the restaurant several times and we were invited by a Filipino-Chinese friend who celebrated his birthday together with his family and close friends.

We were booked at Lido de Paris Seafood Restaurant in Fujian room which had about 48 to 60 sitting capacity ( 10 to 12 per table) set in Chinese lauriat style .

chicken feet, siomai and hakaw

We were treated with some of the dimsum specialties , roasted peanuts and pickled radish for starter meal while waiting for the other guests.  

assorted 5 kinds of cold cuts

birthday misua

The birthday misua is not your typical noodles, since they used the soft strands of noodles topped with shrimps, meat , vegetables, peanuts and quail eggs in orange batter mixture.

steamed live shrimp in Chinese wine in basket

fish lip soup

mango bacon roll with fried noodles 

steamed lapu-lapu in soy sauce with chopped onion leeks leaves and ginger

fried lamp ribs in Beijing style

sauteed Aus Scollop squid with Broccoli flower and carrots

steamed crabs with garlic

twin desserts -buchi and steamed pastry in chocolate

sweet style soup

There are different set meals which one can avail , Price range is from Php 5,980 to Php 39,980 per table with 12 sets to choose from. Our host choose a mid-range price for the Chinese Lauriat meal. Special Thanks to our gracious host !

Note : Prices and Menus are subject to change without prior notification

Address: 1036 Ongpin Street, Santa Cruz, Manila, 1003 

Operation :11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Contact 708-8888 local 8088/ 353-98-98 / Telefax : 559-9898