Birthday Celebration sa Estero

July is my birth month, alam nang maraming tao yan pero marami-rami din ang di nakaka-alam na:

-ka-birthday ko si Lindsay Lohan, Ashley Tisdale, at si Madam Imelda Marcos!

-ginawa ako ng nanay at tatay ko noong September 25, 1986 - pero ayoko nang usisain yung detalye.

-September 26, 1986, isa na akong ganap na embryo!

-unang tibok ng puso ko ay noong October 17, 1986

-at nang ipanganak ako noong July 2 1987, ang #1 song sa US Billboard ay I Wanna Dance with Somebody ni Whitney Houston -- EPIC!

This year, I decided not to celebrate my birthday since weekday naman at medyo maulan din. Instead, I decided to tag along with my sister in her shopping spree at Divisoria just to be treated for a surprise dinner at Estero after, thanks sis!

Estero Fast Food is situated besides the Manila-Beijing Friendship Bridge formerly known as the Ongpin North Birdge and as my foodie friends put it, your Binondo Food Trip will not be complete unless you eat here.

The place is in fact besides Ongpin's estero but don't let that bother you, surprisingly the place is relatively pleasant - carinderia type, open-air with no foul odors from the creek and very accommodating employees. This is like the nth time I tried this place but the first time for my sister.


For first-timers, a friendly tip is to order their Small-sized servings that is good for 2-3 people so that you can enjoy a bit of everything they have in their menu.

We started with their Hototay Soup which I think set the good mood for all of us since its drizzling that night.

On our table:

Yang Chow Fried Rice: kanin pa lang ulam na!

Beef with Broccoli

One of the staples in our table everytime na kakain kami sa isang Chinese-themed restaurant, Estero's version is very good, the beef is tender yet the broccoli is still crunchy and not over-cooked.

Steamed Lapu-lapu

This one I must say, is the cheapest steamed lapu-lapu I tried. Pero don't get me wrong, despite its price, the quality of this dish is at par with high-end Chinese restaurants in Binondo.

Buttered Chicken

Eto ang FAVE ko, di mawawala to pag kumakain ako dito sa Estero.. magkakamatayan pagnawala to!

Crispy Shrimp

My sister's fave, siya lang ata ang nakaubos nang isang serving - nuff said.

Oyster in Tausi

Now this one, I am really scared. May allergy kasi ako sa seafood, pero surprisingly (at dala na din ng katakawan) di naman ako namaga, nahirapan huminga, namantal o namatay.
A must try dish for people na mahilig magpa-high blood.

Sad lang kasi di nila na-try yung frog-legs which is Estero's signature dish, my sister is not that adventurous when it comes to food pero promise nya, next time she will try it na.. boohoo!

The Verdict!
Our bill is around 1,000+Php (Not sure since I didn't bother to look at it since treat naman ni sister), pero its still relatively cheap for a group of 4 people na inikot ang buong Divisoria ng almost 4hrs.
If you want an authentic Chinese Food that is budget-friendly, Estero is a must-try.

Pahabol na Tip:
I suggest na wag ng magdala ng wheels, parking is really hard in the area & be adventurous on trying different dishes. Go out of your comfort zone and just be crazy at syempre, moments like this are best enjoyed with family and friends.