Chinese Gluttony
I was playing Cafe World in Starbucks Binondo when Punch told me that they are already in our meeting place. “At last”, I thought.
Today, we meet not for work but because we will dine at the famous Sincerity Cafe and Restaurant.
Earlier in the office, Punch ( my Boss and the Birthday Boy) invited me to accompany them in Binondo as he will be celebratinghis twentieth-something birthday there. He also wanted me to try the oyster cake. I got so intrigued about it upon hearing the name, so I said “okay, I’ll give i a try”.
On the way to Sincerity, we meet up with some of or officemates as well as our former colleague Mommy Shiela, who is fresh from India. This is the first time I’ll be checking Sincerity and I really don’t expect as much as one would expect from a restaurant named Presidents that can be found in Binondo too (which by the way I would be visiting sometime soon).
I entered this simple cafe and wondered what’s up for me. Mommy Shiela took charge of ordering food and I was amazed that she ordered a total of ten dishes for all of us:
Duck Noodle Soup Php 100
I don’t really like eating any duck delicacies not because I love Donald Duck so much but because when I was a kid my grandfather asked me to try it and my tummy starts to ache and I was down for a week. This soup is not pleasing to the eye unlike other soups I’ve had in the past, just check its color. There’s nothing special about this soup – tastes like normal chicken soup with misua. Nonetheless, one can note the tenderness of the duck.
Kiampong Special Php 35
I was expecting that we will order my favorite Yangchow rice but my hopes were gone when they ordered Kiampong. Afte4 having spoonful of it, I CAN’T STOP myself from splurging. The brown rice was not at all sticky like the normal Kiampong I have tried. Well then, I think I can forget about my Yangchow whenever I drop by Sincerity.
Ngo Hiong Php 50 per piece
Ngo Hiong is somewhat like then kikiam which we have come to know, only, it is not your ordinary favorite fishbolan’s kikiam. This one is fried to perfection and is served with atchara. That’s one wondeful imx of taste and texture.
Chopsuey Php 180
I am a BIG fan of Chopsuey. This one is my favorite among the batch since it was served with vegetables with superlative freshness and not overcooked. I just hope that they plan on using larger and fresh prawns and not hibi.
Beef Broccoli Php 200
This one is another favorite. The veggies were not overly cooked, plus, a very generous serving of broccoli would please any fan of leafy greens like yours truly.
Special Ma Chang
This is the famous rice dish that a Chinese restaurant can offer. Though it doesn’t smell that nice, I tried this one and was able to find out that it has some chicken, pork and mushroom which is noticeably bitter.
Fried Oyster Cake Php 180
When Punch told me that we’ll eat Oyster cake I thought ‘gross’ – I was thinking of a normal chiffon cake with icing and all, topped with oyster meat. But as gross as that would get, my imagination fails me. The oyster cake was cooked like an omelet. Expect it to be a bit gooey. It tastes like a normal oyster minus the vinegar that usual comes with it.
Sincerity Chicken Php 300
I think I almost ate 6 out of the 10 pieces of this lightly buttered fried chicken with crispy skin on the outside and tender meat on the inside. It is indeed the best fried chicken in Binondo. So far.
Sate Pork Chami Php 90 & Sate Beef Chami Php 110
These two dishes were the least-favorited among the others on the table as they were almost left untouched. They were pepared the same wa except for the pork and beef toppings. I did not like the Chami because it tastes like a chemically-laden noodles, like you are eating some noodles plus a cough syrup.
With all the dishes we ordered (and got us stuffed), I have been for sure amazed. It took them less than 20 minutes to be able to serve all ten dishes on our table. The staff has also been really friendly and accommodating. And the best part, they offer free house tea to help us digest all that good food.
Gotta love them pics. More!
im not really a fan of Chinese food… but i like chopsuey and chicken…
I have always been fascinated with the antiquity of Chinese culture. Their cuisine must reflect the grandeur of their supremacy in history. I must say that one characteristic of Chinese cuisine is the simplicity in appearance. Unlike French, di masyado elegante ang pagpla-plate nila.
Chinese cuisine has a long history, and is one of the Chinese cultural treasures . It is as famous all over the world as French cuisine. Chinese cookery has developed and matured over the centuries,(dapat lang diba?) forming a rich cultural content It is characterized by fine selection of ingredients, precise processing, particular care to the amount of fire, and substantial nourishment. Local flavors and snacks, and special dishes have formed according to regions, local products, climate, historical factors, and eating habits.
So, when you tasted Fried Oyster Cake, have you tasted the richness of Chinese culture? Natikman mo ba ang sarap ng dagat ng Tsina? LOL
I really enjoyed reading your gastronomic adventures.
However, dito sa blog na ito, I gag a little when I saw Ma Chang. Kaloka…. Para siyang female genitalia. hahaha….
Pero, I really want to taste Ngio Hong. Yummmm!
Make us salivate more! Senxa na dun sa Ma Chang. Hahaha
@ Matt
will try to..took the pictures using my ancient SE W810i..
@ Lynn
why not? Chinese food are really great and greasy..hehehe..
@ The Amazing Pig
I really appreciate your almost-a-blog kind of comment, I really enjoy reading it while my nose is bleeding.
Oo. lasang lasa ang dagat ng Tsina sa Oyster Cake pero I strongly suggest na itry mo din sya. Bout sa Ma Chang you got one green imagination there my friend, ni hindi pumasok sa isp ko na ganun itsura nya.
next time try Estero and President’s =)
@ CJ
will check them out soon..care to join us?
I’ve always wanted to do an article of Sincerity but ever since I got my camera and started my blog I’ve never had time to actually pass by and do a real review. This just makes me want to take a day off and do some
food blogging! Sorry I clicked right away! Hahaha!
@ Carlos
Excited. Hahaha!
Well Sincerity is really a decent place and you’ll definitely see the value of your money. The service is unbelievably great.