Tag Archives: Comida China de Manila

Food Trip Friday #61: Comida China de Manila

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It is indeed a great privilege for me to have been invited for a food tasting event in one  finest dining Chinese restaurant in Manila, Comida China de Manila. Among the many choices of foods served to us, the fresh Ampalaya con Carne (Sliced beef with Ampalaya) made me drool over and all of the sumptuous meal at the table.

Comida China Soup

Ampalaya con Carne (Sliced Beed with Ampalaya)

Fried Shrimp Balls, Pinsec Frito, Cold Cuts, Fried Lapu Lapu with Sweet Sour Sauce

Comida China Chow Mein

Comida China de Manila is owned by the Torres family.

These dishes concocted in the early 1900’s by Chinese settlers in Manila, blending hints of Spanish and Filipino flavors in their Chinese recipes, are in a unique class of their own.
This cuisine born in old Chinatown, Binondo manila is what they refer to as “COMIDA CHINA DE MANILA”( Chinese food of Manila).
It was common at that time for Chinese restaurants to have Spanish names, owing to the strong Spanish influence especially at that time.

Comida China de Manila was developed at the end of the 400 year long Spanish rule in the Philippines. Chinese restaurant names and menus were in Spanish. The menus also featured Chinese translations and eventually English translations as well.

Comida China de Manila
E. Rodriquez, Jr. Avenue
(C5) Pasig City
Please visit Comida China de Manila on Facebook for more details.
Telephone Numbers; 671-5942/ 941-0832 / 914-0830

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Authentic Chinese Dishes at Comida China de Manila

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Now you don’t have to travel to China to taste the authentic Chinese Cuisine. From its original Panciteria San Jacinto-Pasig, the Torres family changed the name of the restaurant to Comida China de Manila, located right across SM Hyper Market along E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave.(C5) Pasig City.


Why changed its name to Comida China de Manila?

They did not want to be limited to the confines of how a Panciteria might be perceived, nor to be labeled and categorized as such. They upgraded their facilities, services and of course their food quality even further. The management is still the same. The prices remain the same too while the food and service are constantly being enhanced and improved.

Big Chinese families, Pinoy families on weekend feasts, regular foodies, office workers in the area and seekers of good Chinese food pay regular pilgrimages to the place to satisfy their plates.


The lure of bountiful lauriats, all-time Chinese favourites and the discovery of new things on the menu (like dimsum and unique flavourful Comida China Soup have lured them to Panciteria San Jacinto- Pasig since it opened in 1996.

What makes Comida China de Manila food special?

What was once common but delicious is now a rarity. While other restaurants serving the same fare have sprouted, they are few. And the good ones, even fewer.


The ingredients were sourced locally early on, hence the resulting vintage fusion. Comida China continues to source their ingredients locally. They use top grade and fresh ingredients.


Ampalaya Con Carne (Sliced Beef w/ Ampalaya)

Dishes are authentic pre-war Chinese food of Binondo Manila.
Comida China Chow Mein


Comida China de Manila can accommodate a total of 400 guests, 130 persons at the Main Dining Area and 270 persons at their Function Rooms.



“Panciteria San Jacinto was one of the famous and favourite destinations for “comida china” since the pre-war years (it was first established in 1894), and we have been privileged to keep its legacy going through the years. We are happy to have revived the name and identity of the famous restaurant. We are also proud that we have taken its cuisine to new heights and made Panciteria San Jacinto’s comida china available to younger generations, thanks to our joint venture with its original owners,” explains Benny V. Torres, President of Comida China de Manila, Inc.

It’s a privilege for me to have been invited for food tasting event in one finest  Chinese dining in Manila. The Comida Soup alone makes a complete meal for me. It was fantastic!

For more details about Comida China de Manila, visit Comida China de Manila on Facebook or call 671-5942, 914-0832 and 914-0830.

View more photos here

Panciteria San Jacinto-Pasig is now Comida China de Manila

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Filipino culture is richly embroidered with both Spanish and Chinese influences, with cuisine as the centerpiece attraction.

How the two cultures have blended perfectly in its host Filipino country is revealed in the names that Chinese dishes were called around the 1900s, with some names surviving through the present era.

Ever heard of Morisqueta Tostada? Pueco con Agreo Dulce? Camaron Rebosado, Ampalaya con Carne? All these Spanish sounding dishes are actually delicious, authentic Chinese food. Fried Rice, Sweet Sour Pork, Shrimps in Batter and Bitter Melon with Beef are what they are, respectively. And certified foodies of yesteryears did not go hunting for “Chinese Food” when they had food cravings or wanted to eat out with family and friends. They looked for “Comida China” (literally Chinese food in Spanish) which to old Manilans referred to that distinct style of panciteria fare in Binondo from the early 1900’s to the 1970’s. Now,

Camaron Rebosado con Hamon

Panciteria San Jacinto – one of the favourite Chinese restaurants of Manilans in the pre-war and post-war era which has survived to this day – has changed its name to Comida China de Manila. Located along E. Rodriguez, Jr. Ave. (C5) in Pasig City, the present-day Panciteria San Jacinto is a favourite destination of Chinese food aficionados in the metro. Big Chinese families, Pinoy families on weekend feasts, regular foodies, office workers in the area and seekers of good Chinese food pay regular pilgrimages to the place to satisfy their palates. The lure of bountiful lauriats, all-time Chinese favourites and the discovery of new things on the menu (like dimsum and the unique, flavourful Comida China Soup) have lured them to Panciteria San Jacinto-Pasig since it opened in 1996.

[ Comida China Soup ]

“Panciteria San Jacinto was one of the famous and favourite destinations for “comida china” since the pre-war years (it was first established in 1894), and we have been privileged to keep its legacy going through the years. We are happy to have revived the name and identity of the famous restaurant. We are also proud that we have taken its cuisine to new heights and made Panciteria San Jacinto’s comida china available to younger generations, thanks to our joint venture with its original owners,” explains Benny V. Torres, President of Comida China de Manila, Inc. But Panciteria San Jacinto is only one of several Chinese restaurants that catered to old Manilans in that bygone era, Benny says. Only very few have survived to this day. In July this year, the Torres family, which runs Panciteria San Jacinto-Pasig and other restaurants like Mom and Tina’s and The Red Rickshaw Restaurant in Pampanga, decided to change the name of Panciteria San Jacinto to Comida China de Manila.

Comida China Chow Mein

“We want to keep history alive and get younger generations in touch with the glorious past of Chinese restaurants along T. Pinpin street in Binondo, which by the way was originally named Calle San Jacinto. We chose Comida China de Manila as our new name because it is representative of all the panciterias of that era. Besides, the restaurant has evolved into something more than a panciteria. To begin with our Pasig branch, a full service 400-seater restaurant, is well appointed and comfortable. Our menu remains faithful to the classic Cantonese fare served in Binondo, complemented with new dishes put together by our Chief Cook who began his career in the very first Panciteria San Jacinto restaurant along T. Pinpin Street. The new name will also suit the vintage Manila look of our interiors, which is in the works.” Benny adds.

Camaron Rebosado

The Torres Family chose to take a different direction from the old panciteria concept of the Pasig restaurant by opting for a more formal and upscale ambience, says Benny, but the food at Comida China de Manila remains affordable to its clientele. Served in desired portions to match both pocket and appetite, old favourites and new fare are offered in poquito (half small or grazing portions), small, medium and large serving sizes.

Cold Cuts

Catering and in-house feasts are all still part of the Comida China de Manila offerings. Younger generations who may not have even heard of the term “comida china” are suddenly discovering the charm of experiencing Chinese food with Spanish titles, observes Benny. “It’s part of our mixed culture. The food itself and the names of the dishes are all part of our history. Perhaps through our new name we will be able to make younger generations become more aware and proud of our colourful past and the interwoven influences in our history,” he concludes.

Dimsum

 

For more details about Comida China de Manila, visit Comida China de Manila on Facebook or call 671-5942, 914-0832 and 914-0830. CONTACT : Comida China de Manila Chino T. Esguerra +63 922 8125076 chinoesguerra@yahoo.com