Banawe is known as Quezon City's Chinatown. Although it is undoubtedly younger than Binondo, it's Manila counterpart and the world's oldest, it is also known as a foodie hotspot.
What makes it different is that Banawe does not limit itself with Chinese cuisine. It is a melting pot of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Singaporean, and other Asian flavors.
Want to explore Quezon City's Chinatown? Check out our list of must-try restaurants below!
King Chef is one of the most well-loved restaurants when it comes to Chinese fare. Expect to be treated like royalty as you sample dishes fit for a king at this restaurant. Aside from traditional Chinese dishes, its bestsellers include the imperial spareribs with steamed buns, sauteed suahe with tea leaves, double-boiled native chicken soup, and seafood mango salad with duck.
The King Chef Seafood restaurant in Banawe is located at 987-989 Banawe Street, Barangay Manresa, Quezon City while the King Chef Dimsum Restaurant in Banawe can be found at 238 Center, Banawe corner Panalturan Streets, Quezon City. It also has branches at SM North, SM Cherry Shaw, and Binondo.
Asian food not really your thing? Megawatt Pizza & Steak is an industrial-themed Tex-Mex restaurant that is integrated with BuildPlus+, where you can shop for all your hardware essentials. Megawatt has been receiving rave reviews for its house fried chicken that's crispy and packs a punch with every bite, its premium-prized cut steaks that are liberally seasoned and can feed up to three people, and its selection of pizzas that are always served with a generous amount of toppings, cheese, and sauces.
Megawatt Pizza & Steak is located at 686 Banawe Street, Quezon City. It is open every day from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Oedo Japanese Restaurant
Oedo Japanese Restaurant is all about authenticity. A red torii gate welcomes diners at the restaurant that has a zen garden and is decorated with Japanese lanterns and murals. Aside from the ambiance, diners are treated to a variety of classic Japanese food to choose from such as gyoza, takoyaki, sushi, tonkatsu, gyudon, ramen, and many more. You can expect that all their offerings are filled with that distinct savory Japanese flavor.
Oedo Japanese Restaurant is at 105 Sto. Domingo Ave., Quezon City. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Bugis Singapore Street Food
Bugis Singapore Street Food, named after a popular food and shopping hub in the Lion City, serves hearty and comforting hawker center favorites including Hainanese chicken rice, laksa soup, and char kuey tow—a famous Singaporean/Malaysian noodle dish, among others. Bugis has also expanded its menu to include food from non-Singaporean cuisines and to cater to those with different tastes.
Bugis Singapore Street Food is at 78 Nicanor Roxas Street, Quezon City. It is open every day from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Eat Fresh Hong Kong Famous Street Food
Eat Fresh Hong Kong Famous Street Food is the go-to restaurant for those craving for cheap but authentic Hong Kong-style comfort food. It is also one of the best places to start your Banawe food crawl. Must-tries include the spareribs in OK sauce, beef tendon in claypot rice, white almond and grass jelly juice, and the famous Hong Kong egg waffle. Other Asian influences, such as Singaporean and Japanese, are also present in their menu items.
Eat Fresh Hong Kong Famous Street Food's Banawe branch is at 100-A Maria Clara Sreet, Santa Mesa Heights, Quezon City. It also has branches in San Juan and Marikina.
Oomori Japanese Cuisine
Japanese food takes center stage at Oomori Japanese Cuisine: they serve a variety of rice bowls, sushi rolls, ramen bowls, and even Japanese beer! However, Oomori also has non-Japanese food in their menu. Not only does it serve good food, but its walls are covered in colorful Japanese-themed murals that would look perfect for your next Instagram post!
Oomori Japanese Cuisine can be found at One Banawe Complex, Banawe corner Calamba Streets, Quezon City.
Tra Vinh Philippines serves up authentic yet affordable Vietnamese food. Try its crab noodle soup, prawn pomelo salad, and fresh spring rolls, all perfectly seasoned to highlight the ingredients' flavors. Also, a visit to a Vietnamese restaurant won't be complete without a sip of its special coffee, so make sure to try some in this restaurant! This is one of the best places to visit in the metro for when those Vietnamese food cravings hit.
Tra Vinh Philippines is at Unit 3, 109 NS Amoranto corner Cordillera, Maharlika, Quezon City. It is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Shiok Shiok Singapore Famous Hawker Food
In Singapore, calling food "shiok" means that it's very tasty or delicious. That alone tells you what you can expect from Shiok Shiok Singapore Famous Hawker Food. You can find classic Singaporean street food in their menu like char kuey tow, porkchop rice, laksa, chili prawns, and even kaya toast, paired with a cup of soft boiled eggs and hot milk tea. The restaurant is also filled with decorations that are a nod to Singaporean culture, making it an interesting place to dine in.
Shiok Shiok Singapore Famous Hawker Food is located at 81A Nicanor Roxas Street, Sto. Domingo, Quezon City. It is open from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Mondays to Saturdays, and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.
Tuen Mun Roasts
Tuen Mun Roasts specializes in all things roasted, Hong Kong-style. Each dish can be paired with a steaming cup of rice, which makes for warm and filling comfort food. Some customer favorites in their menu include lechon macau, roasted duck, soy chicken, roasted barbecued pork asado, and many more.
Tuen Mun Roasts is located at 81A Nicanor Roxas Street, Sto. Domingo, Quezon City. It is open from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Mondays to Saturdays. It closes at 10 p.m. on Sundays.
Shuin – The Smoked Chicken Food House
Shuin – The Smoked Chicken Food House may be a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, but it doesn't scrimp on the quality and quantity of its offerings. The restaurant serves an array of Taiwanese meals and street food that is sure to please both picky and adventurous eaters. To get a taste of traditional Taiwanese flavors, try Shuin's bestselling smoked chicken, smoked duck, beef noodles, pork chop, and egg pudding
Shuin – The Smoked Chicken Food House can be found at 100b Maria Clara Street, Quezon City. It is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.
