A FEAST ON CHINESE NOODLES AT MR. UBE RICE AND NOODLE HOUSE

It doesn’t have the most attractive name for a Chinese restaurant, but Mr. Ube Rice and Noodle House probably had the most eye-catching color with blinding bright purple spread out in its entire resto. It is making a statement on its own, and it’s something that you shouldn’t miss. And another interesting facet was the story and inspiration on how businessman Gerry Chua humbly began from the famous ube flavored hopia he had thought of was where his luck started, where he eventually derived Mr. Ube’s name. 

From the family that started Eng Bee Tin (roughly translated as Ever Beauty Precious) in 1912 (famous for their different hopia flavors) Gerry Chua, who’d always been a fire volunteer came up with a restaurant he called Mr. Ube.

Located in the heart of the Filipino-Chinese communities of Ongpin Street in Chinatown, Binondo, Manila. Mr. Ube Rice and Noodle House cater to everyone who had a soft spot for Asian fusion and affordable authentic Chinese cuisine. Among Mr. Ube’s specialties are the Go Kong Soup or better known as Soup #5—naturally made hot broth boiled for forty-eight hours using basic rock salt (without MSG). It’s believed to be an aphrodisiac and cure to intestinal problems. It actually tastes good, each spoonful of the broth itself bursts with its flavor, and it’s hard not to have seconds. 

Another favorite is the sweet and sour pork with rice meal—it perfectly combines the sweetness and sourness of the dish with a hint of citrusy tang. The veggies on the dish had been half-cooked making the veggies crisp to taste and in doing so maintains their nutritional value.  For the carnivores, I highly recommend the crunchy and tasty Lechon Macau. Every bits and pieces of the tender pork is complemented with the sweet and sour sauce. The fork tender Chinese Kikiam had hints of Chinese five spices or Ngo Hiong and star anise. It had that sweet salty after taste that you’ll surely love. 

Mr. Ube’s Winter melon Juice is also a refreshing drink—winter melon tea with panocha extracts, another sweet tooth’s dream! For the more healthy ones, you can never go wrong with Mr. Ube’s Soya Milk. 

The Singraporean Laksa and Gokong (Soup number 5) noodles are also great—with fusion of Asian noodles and herbs tweaked a bit to perfectly suit the Filipino palate. Noodles for cooking bihon and a variety of Asian sauces are on shelf so you can try your hand at cooking up a Chinese meal. A must-taste is its signature best selling Zest XO chili sauce—we were able to try it at home and voila! We were able to whip a good Chinese pancit! 

So the next time you come to Ongpin or to E. Rodriguez, give Mr. Ube Rice and Noodle House a try. Mr. Ube gives one a feast in Chinese Cuisine that is great in flavor but low in price.

Binondo Branch

707 imperial Sky Garden, Ongpin, Binondo, Manila

Tel. Nos: 241-9999 or 288-8888 loc. 131

E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue Quezon City Branch

284 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City

Across St. Luke’s Medical Center

Tel. Nos: 722-4505

We sincerely thank Ms. Jenny Tan, Mr. Gerry Chua and Ms. Ana Liza Bautista of Penser Q for the invite.