We just can’t get enough of Chinese food—our cravings brought us from the streets of Binondo all the way to Mandaluyong for a visit to Charlie Wanton Special. It’s a spot we’ve dined at many times before, and clearly, we’re not the only ones who keep coming back. Located just a few blocks from José Rizal University, Charlie’s has become a go-to for many, which makes finding a seat (and a parking spot!) more of a challenge these days.
Luckily, on this visit, just when we thought we’d have to skip dinner again due to the full house and tight parking, a staff member pointed us to their newly opened gated parking across the street—just past the nearby car wash. A small win that turned our night around.
Once seated, we quickly ordered our favorites: the Beef Wanton Mami Special is always a must. The broth is rich and comforting, perfect for when you’re hungry and craving something warm. They even serve it with two extra bowls of soup, making the meal even more satisfying.
We also tried their Green Chicken Curry Rice Bowl, which looked promising and came in a big, shareable serving. While it had generous toppings and came out piping hot (we had to poke holes in the rice just to release the steam!), I found the flavor a bit mild for my taste. A little more spice—or maybe a few green chilies—could’ve given it that curry kick I was looking for. I ended up bringing it home and tweaking it a bit.
We originally wanted the Tofu with Lechon, but by 7:30 PM on a Sunday, it was already sold out. As a backup, we went for the Fried Pinsec—crispy little bites of minced pork wrapped in wonton skin and deep fried to perfection. We didn’t even need the dipping sauce; it was that flavorful. My husband almost polished off the whole plate!
Here’s the pricelist of our orders:
- Chicken Curry Rice (₱285) – big portion, but again, mild on spice.
- Beef Wanton Mami Special (₱350) – still a winner.
- Tofu with Lechon (₱350) – when available, a must-try!
- Fried Pinsec (₱300) – our unexpected favorite
- Asado Siopao (₱95) and Bola-Bola Siopao Special (₱130)
Both siopaos are massive and delicious. The asado had just the right balance of dough and filling, not too sweet. The bola-bola, with its thick meat filling and salted egg, was still delicious the next day, reheated on top of rice in the rice cooker.
Overall, our return to Charlie’s Wanton reminded us why we keep coming back. The food is comforting, the servings generous, and the experience always satisfying—even if you have to circle the block a few times for parking.
Plan your orders ahead with this menu copies:
My eatsperience 