Konted's Make My Day 2: Masuki: Since 1930

Masuki: Since 1930

From the LRT 2 train terminal, we crossed Avenida Rizal, turned left at Tomas Mapua St. and turned right at Soler St. From there, we were tracing Benavidez St. To make things easier, we asked a fruit vendor: Dalawa po yang madadaanan nyo na tulay. Bago dumating yung pangalawang tulay, Kalye Benavidez po yon. Matamis po itong mga Ponkan. We passed by Peace Hotel and Golden Fortune Restaurant. A light green calesa was waiting for passengers by the side of the road: Sasakay kami mamaya. Hintay mo kami. Kakain lang kami sa Masuki Mami House.

Travel time from the LRT terminal in Santolan, Pasig to the Recto Terminal is approximately 20 minutes. Fare is P15 per person. P12 if you are a senior citizen. A section is reserved for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and employees of LRT on duty. The following are stations where one can board or alight: Santolan, Katipunan, Anonas, Cubao, Betty Go Belmonte, Gilmore, J. Ruiz, V. Mapa, Pureza, Legarda and Recto.

Rizal Avenue is one of the principal streets of Santa Cruz District. It is more commonly known as Avenida Rizal.

Benavidez St. is one of the busiest streets of Binondo. Ask vendors or barangay tanods and they will surely tell you where it is.

Calesa waiting for passengers

Fire trucks are stationed at strategic areas for any eventuality.

Masuki is near Peace Hotel and Golden Fortune Seafood Restaurant.

Masuki boasts of serving delicious mami and siopao. And as highlighted in the ads, Masuki has been in the business since 1930. They have been selling mami and siopao even before the Commonwealth of the Philippines was established and even before World War II. Its original name was Ma Kong and it was only recently that the owners changed it to Masuki. Framed photos and news clips adorn the walls of the restaurant. Pointing to an old photo, I asked a waiter and got a quick reply: Yan po ang may-ari. Yung tatay nila, pamangkin ni Ma Mon Luk.

Masuki Mami House at Benavidez Street

Steaming mami as Masuki's logo

Masuki's one and only entrance

Masuki is one of the more popular restaurants in Chinatown.

Masuki's dining area is generally clean.

Where food is prepared

Masuki helper cuts noodles and meat using scissors.

It is called "gupit".

Masuki's original name was Ma Kong

Owner of Masuki (right) being interviewed

Masuki is known for its generous servings of Chicken, Beef and Original Mami. Its siopao is bigger than the usual siopaos of other noodle houses. The choices are Asado and Bola Bola. While Masuki's siopao is comparable to that of the original Ma Mon Luk, I cannot, for the moment, say the same for its mami. You see, at Masuki, you add the condiments such as spring onions, soy sauce, white pepper and asado sauce. And I am not one good in mixing condiments. I was supposed to add that asado sauce but I didn't. The mami broth was bland. I suspend passing judgment on Masuki's chicken mami. I have to try it again and do the right thing.

Soy Sauce, fish sauce, white pepper and hot sauce as condiments

Asado sauce

Spring onions

Free Chinese tea

Masuki's Original Mami

Chicken Mami. You have to add condiments.

Asado siopao

Generous servings at Masuki

I forgot to ask the waiter what those Chinese letters stand for. Next time.

The green calesa was no longer there. We looked for another one. There was a commotion near the bridge. The lady owner of a vehicle was in a panicky mode: Asan yung sasakyan ko? Asan? The watch-your-car boy answered: Nahatak po. Hinatak ng wrecker. Puntahan po natin doon. Onlookers started gathering around. We boarded a red calesa after crossing the bridge: Iikot ikot mo kami diyan. Basta sa simbahan ng Sta. Cruz kami bababa. Bahala ka na. And then I heard again the sound of the galloping horse.

- Konted