Thursday, November 16, 2006

QUIAPO'S FAMOUS LUMPIA

I was on my way to Hidalgo Street yesterday to get my old Canon T70 SLR camera fixed and cleaned when I decided to search for this restaurant (since it was on my way), which according to Ladybug serves excellent fresh spring roll (lumpiang sariwa).

As it turned out, it wasn’t hard to find at all. Heading towards Quiapo Church along Quezon Boulevard, I turned right on G. Puyat Street; and only a few meters from the corner on the left side of the street is where Globe Lumpia House is located.

What's surprising about this eatery is that it only offers lumpia and nothing else, except for the mineral water and soft drinks. It has been that way since its inception in 1957. The lumpia here — which is one of the best commercially available I have tasted in Metro Manila — costs only P16.00 each. And most customers order a double. The ingredients are all fresh while the caramel-peanut sauce has just enough touch of sweetness to it.

This restaurant started as a kiosk within the old Globe Theater where it also got its name. Its initial loyal customers were the moviegoers; followed by ardent shoppers of the various stores at Raon Street; and then the devotees of the Quiapo Church. When Globe Theater finally closed its doors for good many years ago, the customers kept coming back for the lumpia, which has since moved from a kiosk to a narrow section of the cinema's building right next to where its entrance used to be.

During the feast of the Black Nazarene, the restaurant would open at two o’clock in the morning to serve the beginning of a swelling number of pilgrims. Also of interest, according to Jenny, the owner's daughter, some of their loyal customers also include a number of film and TV personalites (from Dolphy to Cesar Montano); stopping by every now and then to delight on their fresh lumpia.

Nonetheless, with or without the presence of these celebrities, prepare yourself to wait for a few minutes before getting seated, because this restaurant is teeming with customers throughout the day.



Globe Lumpia House
740 G. Puyat Street (formerly Raon)
Telephone: 733-2918

posted by Señor Enrique at 3:37 AM


30 Comments:

Blogger carlotta1924 said...

i think quiapo is becoming one of my favorite places to go in manila. :-) that's definitely going on my list for my next self tour.

November 16, 2006 4:59 AM  

Blogger RAV Jr said...

Wow, mukhang masarap nga yang lumpia na yan...matikman nga yan minsan...

Tyy for the info, hehe...

Napapansin ko puro pagkaing pampalusog (helathy foods) mga pini-feature mo ngayon...


-DOPS c",)

November 16, 2006 5:21 AM  

Blogger Photo Cache said...

very interesting post. i'll keep this in mind, kapag nauwi.

November 16, 2006 6:53 AM  

Blogger ipanema said...

I love fresh lumpia. I'll keep this in mind. Mukhang di masyado makapal ang wrapper. I like it better that way.

Thanks again. :)

November 16, 2006 7:24 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Besides the lumpia in Binondo that Ivan had introduced us to, Carla, I think you'll like the lumpia here also, which is smaller and lighter.




Before these recent two posts, DOPS, the breaded pork chop isn't all that healthy ... hehehe. But seriously, these are more spontaneous entries; nothing premeditated :)

Yes, you have got to try out this fresh lumpia!




It's not too hard to find Globe Lumpia House and I'm sure you'll like its fresh lumpia, PhotoCache.



Yes, Ipanema, the wrapper is not thick, unlike the white sticky wrappers, which I do not like, either. Those wrappers are akin to the excessive doughs on cheap siopaos.

November 16, 2006 8:13 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

senor enrique,

that will be defintely in my itinerary when i visit manila.


dp

November 16, 2006 9:26 AM  

Blogger fionski said...

Mapuntahan nga ito. I'm always in the Sta. Cruz/Quiapo area. Thanks for the tip!

November 16, 2006 10:12 AM  

Blogger Sidney said...

Simple joys of daily life!
A good lumpia after a walk around Quiapo! :-)
You are fast becoming the online Manila city street expert.

Did you ever thought of putting ads on your site? Adsense, etc.
All those probloggers claim good income. The design of your blog would allow advertisements. It might pay your phone bills, your internet cards and you culinary trips! :-)

November 16, 2006 11:58 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Firstly, let's thank Ladybug for making us aware of the existence of this lumpia house in Quiapo!

Sometimes a bowl of mami soup and siopao get a bit tiring, but that's all that's basically I know of in the Quiapo area (besides the Jolibees and Chowkings). But now there is fresh lumpia!

Thanks much, Ladybug!




You're not going to get disappointed, DP. It is really delicious and the price is right :)




Okay, Fionski, let us know your critique, ok? I'm sure others would like to hear another feedback. Thanks!




And like I said, Sidney ... thanks to Ladybug :)

And you are right, it's time I should exploit some unused real estate of my site; not to mention derive a bit of income to assuage some expenses.

Let's talk about it more when we get together in a week or so. I could use some guidance.

Thanks, Sidney!

November 16, 2006 12:34 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I remember this lumpia joint! My mom used to bring me there whenever we go to Quiapo! I remember it being one of the few vegetable dish that I actually liked.

I also got to go and eat there whenever I accompany my mom to our Opthalmologist (Dr. Bernardo Tuanio) whose clinic is in the same building...

berniej (of talkin' tech)

November 16, 2006 1:34 PM  

Blogger Berniej said...

me again... let me just correct myself:

I also got to go and eat there whenever I accompany my mom to our Opthalmologist (Dr. Bernardo Tuanio) whose clinic WAS in the same building...

(this was in the late 70's to early 80's)

November 16, 2006 1:39 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Lumpia and vinegar with chili are totally inseparable for me. It tastes much better when dipped in hot vinegar. I also like the Vietnamese version.

November 16, 2006 2:41 PM  

Blogger sheilamarie said...

hola senor! it's on my wish list to be able to take my south american hubby to all the places you've mentioned here(the eateries are on the top of my list, of course ;) ). i've already brought him before to intramuros, but there's still a lot more places to visit and discover, as u've shown us.

November 16, 2006 3:39 PM  

Blogger abet said...

Hi Senor,

Wow gusto ko yang fresh lumpia ...fionski wa tara na....senor sama ka na din ha??? Hanapin ko na yan sa weekend hehehe.

November 16, 2006 4:33 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

That looks good, Eric. I also love fresh lumpia. We only seldom get a taste of it. Minsan lang kapag naimbitahan sa party where that is one of the dishes served.

November 16, 2006 9:19 PM  

Blogger blnavi said...

That lumpia place was probably the same one I used to frequent when I was a college student in the late '50s. I remember the lumpia (still looks the same, except it is thicker now) then was only fifty cents each, an amount my limited student budget could afford LOL. I got to check out the place when I get a chance to come home! Thanks for writing about it.

November 16, 2006 9:24 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

ah yes! Globe Lumpia House's famous lumpia, yum! I never fail to get some whenever I make find my self in Quiapo. I've been enjoying them since highschool, good times....good times.

November 16, 2006 11:09 PM  

Blogger Senorito<- Ako said...

Geez, I didn't know that we had a famous lumpia house near raon. :(

Catching up on your blog been extremely busy. :)

November 17, 2006 5:44 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Wow! Many thanks, Bernie! So glad to hear from those who has been enjoying this lumpia for some time now.

I wonder if your mom's opthalmologist is still practicing. I would love to see one in this area.




Hmmmmm...you're talking of fried lumpia, BW, which I also love. Yes! Those Vietnamese eggrolls are simply heavenly :)

November 17, 2006 7:25 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Most of the eateries I've been posting serve good food and prices that are reasonable, Sheilamarie. I'm certain you and your husband, will have a good time and not splurge too much money during your vacation.




Masarap talaga, Basey. Promise! At saka mura pa. At kung di ka naman masyadong gutom, isa lang ay sapat na. Ito pa isang dahilan na gusto ko ang size ng lumpia nila na di kalakihan.

November 17, 2006 7:31 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Know what, Irene. This is one vegetable dish I truly enjoy. I must learn how to make this. I'm sure your boys will enjoy having these readily at home as well. Gisa gisa lang ata ito tapos balot na, eh.




Many thanks, too, Binavi. It's still at the same location. Actually, I couldn't believe when I was told that it is a fity-year-old lumpia house. At saka lagi puno ng customer!

But at fifty centavos? Wow! Ganda talaga ng presyo natin noon ... hehehe. Baon ko nga piso lang noong high school (gusto pang bawasan ng papa ko), ngayon piso isang candy lang mabibili.

November 17, 2006 7:37 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Et tu, Jhay? Wow! You got me beat... only discovered it the other day.

I was actually wondering how come my father never knew about this and then the answer hit me -- Globe Theater wasn't one of those cinemas he frequented. If it were, I'm sure we would've have been enjoying this lumpia for ages.




Of all people, Senorito Ako, I was waiting for you to tell us that yes you have been a loyal customer since as a youngster :)

Pero I'm really surprised you didn't know about this, but now you know kaya add this to your must visit place pag bakasyon mo dito.

November 17, 2006 7:43 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is something I ought to try when I am there!

It looks good ... Yummy!

November 17, 2006 11:42 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

You have to try this lumpia, Kyels. Besides, Globe Lumpia House is not that hard to find.

November 17, 2006 12:00 PM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Thanks, Joey. I had visited the site you recommended and have marked it as a favorite so I could visit it often from now on. BTW, I love Krispy Kremes!

November 19, 2006 7:20 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric, I'm truly glad you enjoyed their lumpia. Actually, I haven't been there myself. My in-laws were the ones who introduced me to Globe's lumpia since they would always give me some as their pasalubong, especially when they would frequent the Quiapo area. Loved their lumpia at first bite. But I was not aware of their long history. Thanks for researching it for us. This will make me appreciate more their lumpia the next time I eat it. :-) Thanks again!

November 22, 2006 11:20 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

You surely had turned us on to another winner, Ladybug! I must have been to that lumpia house a number of times since you told me about it :)

If you have another tip for us, PLEASE me know and I'll give it a visit :)

Muchas gracias!

November 22, 2006 12:58 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sir, I can I grab 2 of your photos? The first one and the one which showed the signage of the store? Thanks you. Will acknowledge your site.

September 03, 2008 6:44 PM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Provided you also tell me the link of the site where you used these photos, Tinmuning, you have my permission for their use.

Thank you, too!

September 03, 2008 6:51 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

So sad lang dahil the place is becoming dirty everytime i go there. maaraw sa labas pero sa loob maputik. kakaiba na din ang amoy sa loob not unlike before. mukhang napapabayaan na ang place.. :( always there after attending mass during sundays... sana mabasa toh ng owner. :) pero masarap parin fresh lumpia nila haha :)

July 30, 2010 4:37 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home

Life in Manila as observed by a former New Yorker who with a laptop and camera has reinvented himself as a storyteller. Winner of the PHILIPPINE BLOG AWARDS: Best Photo Blog in 2007 and three Best Single Post awards in 2008.

 
 

About Me

Name: Señor Enrique
Location: Manila, Philippines

View my complete profile

Links


www.flickr.com
This is a Flickr badge showing photos in a set called Flickr Badge. Make your own badge here.
 
 
Señor Enrique Home
Designed by The Dubai Chronicles.
All rights and lefts reserved.