Strategically located in the heart of Chinatown, the Philippineβs oldest business district, Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel provides goodΒ amenities of an international standard business hotel. When my maternal grandmother found that Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel Buffet (δΎδΎε€§ι εΊ) servesΒ all-day buffet, she invited us to go try it out for breakfast. I thought it was definitely a great idea since this hotel in Binondo is just near our place and the cost per person doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Offered with aΒ whoppingΒ price of PhP 148 (from 7AM-10AM), how could we say no? Also, restaurants around this areaΒ has not really disappointed usβuntil that day. π
We might had just expected more Chinese dim sum and more familiar palatable Chinese food to delight our taste buds. In any case,Β it was a nice try. The good news is that food variety they have on the buffetΒ areΒ on rotation, so it’s best to keep an eye every now and then to see what’s on the table.
Review of Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel Buffet δΎδΎε€§ι εΊ (Binondo, Manila)
Ambiance:Β β β β ββ
On the surface, interior designΒ at Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel Buffet lookedΒ rather unassuming considering that it’s placed in a “hotel of international standard.”Β The restaurant’s ambiance was contemporary,Β cozy, and clean. RedΒ table linens easily createdΒ a decentΒ “Chinese restaurant” setting. Buffet tables were arranged at the farthest end of the dining room, and dining furniture were setΒ across with enough space for everyone to move freely about.
Food:Β β ββββ
This buffet restaurant in Binondo may be a good place where hotel guests can comfortably dine in to start the day, but foodies must understand that there’s a lot more choices of restaurants in ChinatownΒ where they can goΒ for a leisurely meal.
Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel Buffet’s food selection simply failed to impress. We had plain porridge, white bread and eggs, ampalaya (bitter gourd), fish, salted pickled mustard (kiam chye), Chinese cabbages, hotdogs, pork, garlic rice, noodles, and soup.Β At one glance, I knew they’re skippable.Β Tastes were not terribleΒ butΒ nowhere near a worthy representation of what Chinese cuisine hasΒ to offer.Β I was with my family and that was what counted more than the unappetizing food.
Price for Value:Β β ββββ
If you’re satisfied with these food selections for morning buffet, then dining at Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel Buffet may be the best bang for your buck and you’ll have plenty fun finishing multiple plates. Nothing was wrong with the tastes of the food; these were justΒ not my ideal choices for a all-you-can-eat meal.Β I’m better off paying the same amount of money to getΒ a bowl of ramen noodles or a short order of my favorite dumplings in Binondo.Β εΎζ±ζοΌζδΈζ³εδΎ.
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
This place looks so neat! I am not one for Chinese food at all, but if I was, I’d need to visit here!
Yes, this hotel is just short walking distance away from the many great dining spots in Chinatown. If you ever plan of touring in the area, Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel is a mighty fine choice.
The food looks tasty and they have a big variety to choose from. We will probably never make it to Chinatown. Hubby would make this restaurant one of his stops if we ever do.
I think trying is once can be worthwhile regardless of the occasion. You may also visit the buffet area just to see what food they serve for the day. π Luck may be walking by your side if there are more delicious items on the table.
Yum! I love Chinese Food (it’s probably my favorite type of food). I keep missing real china town food. I used to eat real Chinese at Chinatown outside of LA, and then I moved back to Utah and haven’t really found anything that compares.
Chinese food is awesome. This was the reason why I was urged to go try this buffet restaurant in the hopes of satisfying our craving. Sadly, these food presented did not stand up to our expectations.
That’s too bad that the value for the food was not satisfactory. I haven’t seen a blogger restaurant review with a 1-star rating in a while. I do like a buffet that offers A LOT of choices, so I can explore things that I have not tried before. That’s why I always ask to check the selections before I commit to eating at one.
After checking the selections, I was quick to tell my mom I wanted to back out. My grandmother though was too enthusiastic though to dine in. π
So sad that the hotel didn’t reach up to your expectations.
First impression, the interiors of the hotel just doesn’t look like world standard. It could be a termed a decent budget restaurant!
Yeah, that’s what I thought so, too.
Seriously! That’s so affordable. It’s really nice to come across a deal like this. But then again, you can’t expect anything big. It is what it is.
The price is cheap but I’d rather pay more than stay in a unsatisfying restaurant feeling rather sad and hopeless. π
This would be a nice place for guests to have a Chinese buffet meal. Their setup is simple but their food looks tasty.
It will be interesting to see what they serve during weekends for dinner because that’s when more people come in to eat together and just chill.
I love Chinese food. Sadly, I’ve not been to Binondo. I want to. Looks like an interesting place to dine in .
Why not invite some friends and take a food tripping around Binondo? You can also join groups that offer do food tours with the complete package.
I guess you cannot really expect too much food quality with such a low price for a breakfast buffet. Although I heard there is a breakfast buffet in a place called Finio in QC that is only P130 and very delicious.
Thanks for the reco. I’d check that place out. π
Yup, I think a 1 for the rating sounds accurate. The picture doesn’t look that appealing at all. I would rather go to the hole in the walls around the area for an amazing meal.
Right. Maybe we were just unfortunate to meet such a bad lineup of food items. The food’s rotating every day.
I was so surprised with your intro because it’s the first time I’ve heard of a breakfast buffet costing less than 200! after reading the whole post though, i could understand why it was soo cheap. It’s just disappointing that the dishes weren’t weren’t representative of Chinese cuisine.
We had been to a carenderia buffet in QC where price per head was only PhP 99. It was more fulfilling than this one.
Haha, I like your final sentence! I was looking at the photos and find them disappointing too! I thought it will be just another “say-good” review
Yeah haha. Anyway, it was an “okay-experience” to write home about and share with you all.
uhhh… those are NOT really Chinese food. But if you are all good with that, I guess ok na? π
Yup, these are good for those who have low expectations and maybe just thinking about getting full.
When i saw the price , i thought wow it is a great deal for a chinese restaurant( i love chinese food, i just ate at one chinese restaurant here in saudi , but seeing the options, i didn’t feel chinese at all to me.
I thought I was only quick to assume that better Chinese food will be served considering we were dining in a hotel restaurant and we were in Chinatown. Plus, the hotel is named “Chinatown…” π
The food selections is rather limited and mostly carbs. I think they should have more vegetables and varieties of of food.
More vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, tofu, and spinach are preferable. Most people don’t appreciate eating ampalaya and salted pickled mustard and in turned out these were the two veggies available. Funny. π
I personally wouldn’t have eaten there myself if I was really craving Chinese food.
I really wouldn’t expect much for a buffet breakfast at that price. Anu yun, presyo nga lng yan ng Happy Meal!
Get yourself a big serving of that pork adobo, a serving of rice and fried eggs would already be worth more than their buffet price!
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