Featured image showcasing a variety of Filipino dishes, including crispy lechon, vegetables, and classic Filipino sides, highlighting the authentic culinary experiences offered by Explore Manila Tours.

Why Explore Manila Tours is the #1 Tour Guide in Manila (test)

Explore Manila Tours is the #1 tour guide in Manila, and honestly, if you’re visiting the city, you’d be crazy to miss out on what they offer. Jian and his team don’t do run-of-the-mill tours. These guys know how to dive straight into what makes Manila tick. You can eat your way through the chaos of the Binondo/Chinatown area. Learn how Intramuros shaped the Philippines. Or maybe you’re up for something custom, like exploring BGC and tackling the local street food scene. Trust me, they’ll make it happen. (TEST-ELEMENTOR)

Every tour feels personal. Jian’s got this way of making you feel like you’re not just tagging along but actually experiencing Manila as it’s meant to be. It’s fun, it’s raw, and if you’re lucky, you might just get to pound some beers while enjoying the Filipino staple, sisig.

So let’s talk about why they’re the best in the business and what makes these tours stand out from anything else you’ll find in the city.

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Table Of Contents:

  1. About Explore Manila Tours
  2. Introduction to Filipino Street Food
  3. Binondo/Chinatown Food Tour
  4. Introduction to Philippine History
  5. Home Cooked Meal with a Filipino Grandma
  6. Manila Filipino Cooking Class: Meryenda Favorites
  7. Customizable Tours
  8. How to Book Your Tour
  9. FAQ
  10. Conclusion

About Explore Manila Tours

Explore Manila Tours is more than sightseeing and stuffing your gullet. They show you what makes Manila unforgettable. Jian, the founder and lead guide, started the company to challenge the idea that Manila is just a layover city. It’s a city full of culture, history, and more importantly, food waiting to be discovered.

Jian and his team will introduce you to the stories, flavors, and history that make Manila come alive. Whether it’s tasting your way through Binondo, diving into the Spanish Galleon Trade in Intramuros, learning to cook authentic Filipino dishes or creating a custom tour that fits exactly what you want.

These aren’t cookie-cutter tours. Every stop, story, and meal shows you a side of Manila most people miss. That’s why they’re rated as the #1 tour guide in Manila, and they have the reviews to back it up.

Jian and his team have designed tours that go beyond expectations. They highlight the best of Manila through its food, history, and culture. Whether you’re new to the city or a returning visitor, there’s a tour that will show you something you’ve never experienced before.

Let’s dive into the lineup of tours that make Explore Manila Tours stand out.

Introduction to Filipino Street Food

This tour isn’t for the faint of heart, and that’s what makes it fun. Jian takes you through Manila’s street food scene, with local favorites and some that will make you question your very existence. You’ll try classics like siomai and lumpia, but the real adventure begins with the BBQ skewers. Chicken isaw (chicken intestines), Walkman (pig ears), gizzards, and the iconic Filipino red hot dog. Jian likes to play the game of eat and tell. Which means you try a skewer before he tells you what it is.

For dessert lovers, there’s pichi-pichi and cassava cake. Other options included are kwek-kwek (deep fried quail eggs) and Turon (think banana spring rolls). You’ll then have the chance to sit down at a local eatery where you can try sisig with the odd but very doable pairing of puto (local steamed rice cake, get your head out of the gutter) and another “exotic” dish of Papaitan. Papaitan is a soup made with goats meat and parts and for the souring agent they use a small amount of bile from the goat. And then there’s balut, that’s right the famous fertilized duck egg which is surprisingly delicious. Jian’s relaxed style and humor make the experience approachable, even for first-timers.

Binondo/Chinatown Food Tour

On this adventure with Explore Manila Tours, you’ll take on the world’s oldest Chinatown. Established in the 1500s, Binondo is believed to be at least 200 years older than San Francisco’s Chinatown, the world’s second oldest Chinatown. With some saying the gap is closer to 250 years. Jian kicks things off with a quick rundown of its history, including the unfortunate circumstances that led to Chinatown’s creation during Spanish colonization.

In addition to Chinatown’s history, you will eat. A lot. The sampling starts with vegetarian-friendly fresh lumpia. There’s no meat, it’s not fried, and it’s surprisingly delicate and delicious. You’ll also get to try magic water, a lighter, clearer version of gulaman. Kuchay Ah pies round out your first stops.

Moving on, you’ll visit Dong Bei Dumplings, famous for its dumplings that are worth the price of the tour alone. Next, you’ll stop for a fried bola-bola siopao. Other stops on the tour include two of Binondo’s most famous spots. One serves mami noodles and asado siopao, which resembles pulled pork. At the next, you’ll sample hakaw (prawn dumplings) at a dim sum joint. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try adidas, also known as chicken feet, glazed with a spicy sauce.

You’ll finish the day with dessert, which varies. It might be Binondo’s famous ice cream or the equally famous custard hopia from Eng Bee Tin. This tour is a must-do and shows exactly why Explore Manila Tours is the #1 tour guide in Manila.

Where to Stay in Manila

  • Luxury Accommodations: – The Westin Manila – Set in Manila and with Shangri-La Plaza reachable within 500 metres, The Westin Manila features concierge services, non-smoking rooms, a restaurant, free WiFi throughout the property and a bar. This 5-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and an ATM. The hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, evening entertainment and room service.
  • Mid-Range Accommodations: – Edsa Shangri-La, Manila -Nestled in Mandaluyong City’s financial and commercial district is the luxurious Edsa Shangri-La, Manila. The hotel boasts numerous leisure facilities such as a spa, an outdoor pool, a gym and 6 dining options.
  • Budget Accommodations: – Go Hotels Plus Mandaluyong Avida Towers Riala Tower 3 is situated in Cebu City, within 2.7 km of Ayala Center Cebu and 3.5 km of SM City Cebu.

For more places to stay in Manila:

Introduction to Philippine History

This tour takes you through Intramuros, the heart of Manila during Spanish colonization. Jian gives you a crash course on the area’s history while walking you through its cobblestone streets and historic landmarks.

Stops include San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the Philippines and one of the few structures that survived the bombing of Manila during World War II. Next is Casa Manila, a recreation of a 19th-century Spanish colonial house, showing how Manila’s elite lived at the time.

You’ll also visit the Memorare Manila Monument, dedicated to the innocent lives lost during the Battle of Manila in 1945, and the Manila Cathedral, which remains a centerpiece of faith in the city. Finally, there’s Fort Santiago, a Spanish military fort that once held José Rizal, the national hero, before his execution.

Jian brings all of these stops together with amazing storytelling that ties history to the present. By the end of the tour you will fully understand how the Philippines came to be what it is today.

Read Next: Filipino Fast Food Chains Not Named Jollibee

Home Cooked Meal with a Filipino Grandma

This tour takes you straight to the heart of Filipino home cooking. Auntie Oyette, known lovingly as Tita (auntie in Tagolog) Oyette by her guests, welcomes you into her home for a family style lunch. The dishes change depending on the day, but you can expect a spread that showcases the depth and variety of Filipino flavors.

The experience goes beyond just eating. Tita Oyette shares stories about the dishes, giving insight into how they connect to Filipino culture and daily life. The meal is served in a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere, making you feel more like a guest than a tourist.

Located in a neighborhood most tourists never get to see, this lunch is a chance to step into a slice of real Filipino life. It’s simple, honest, and unforgettable. While the dishes change regularly some items Tita Oyette has been know to serve are Bistek Tagalog, Misua soup, Bicol Express and various versions of Bangus or milkfish.

Wondering What to do in Manila? Have a Look at Some of These Tours From Viator:

Manila Filipino Cooking Class: Meryenda Favorites

This hands-on cooking class is all about Filipino meryenda, or snacks. You’ll learn how to prepare dishes like pancit, lumpia, and turon. The menu sticks to classics, giving you a real taste of the snacks Filipinos love to enjoy between meals.

During your class you’ll learn the history and culture behind these dishes and begin to understand why these recipes matter and how they fit into everyday life of Filipinos.

Whether you’re new to cooking or already comfortable in the kitchen, this class is an easy way to bring a piece of Filipino culture home with you. It’s casual, informative, and fun, just like every experience with Explore Manila Tours.

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Customizable Tours

Explore Manila Tours also lets you create your own experience with fully customizable tours. Whether you want to explore historic sites or dive into Manila’s food scene, Jian will make it happen. Here are two tours that Jian customized for me.

Quiapo Food Tour

Quiapo is chaotic, but that’s what makes it fun. Jian takes you through its food stalls and shops, starting with Excellente ham, a sweet and smoky ham that’s highly sought after during Christmas. You’ll also try palabok topped with crispy pork and calamari, dried and grilled squid with vinegar, heaps of hopia from the famous Kim Chong Tin Hopia Factory, the most authentic sotanghon in all of Manila, and an assortment of roadside sweet treats from a bicycle cart. Quiapo’s food scene is a mix of traditional and surprising, and Jian makes sure you don’t miss any of it.

BGC Pasalubong Tour

Bonifacio Global City, or BGC, is known as the ritzier area of Manila. But Jian took me to spots most tourists overlook, starting with a hidden pathway leading to street food like banana cue, kamote cue, and an assortment of tusok-tusok, iskrambol, and cheesy corn. Next, we headed over to Market Market, which is extremely well-known but has an awesome assortment of pasalubong, or gift items you can bring to family and friends when you travel. Here, we tried a myriad of snacks including butcheron, pastillas, yema, bukayo, and many more. To end the day, you might even find yourself in a speakeasy hidden behind a convenience store for a cold beer.

Once again, these tours are customizable to whatever your heart desires. These were what I wanted to do, but you can literally pick your poison, and Jian will make it happen for you.

How to Book Your Tour

Getting started with Explore Manila Tours is easy. Use the links below to book your preferred tour or reach out for a customized experience.
Just click the links below to secure your spot through Jian’s TripAdvisor platform:

Chinatown/Binondo Food Tour
Introduction to Filipino Street Food
Introduction to Philippine History
Home Cooked Meal with a Filipino Grandma
Manila Filipino Cooking Class: Meryenda Favorites

Customizable Tours:
Looking for something unique? Jian and his team can create a custom tour tailored to your preferences. Contact them directly to design your experience:
Email: [email protected]
Phone/WhatsApp/Viber: +63 905 404 1330

Whether you book a standard tour or create your own, Jian’s team will handle the details. All you need to do is show up and experience how Explore Manila Tours is the #1 Tour Guide in Manila

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why choose Explore Manila Tours?

Explore Manila Tours stands out for a reason. Jian and his team craft tours that are personal, flexible, and rooted in Manila’s culture and history. They don’t rely on cookie-cutter itineraries. Instead, they focus on what makes Manila unforgettable. That’s why Explore Manila Tours is the #1 Tour Guide in Manila.

Can I customize my tour?

Absolutely. Explore Manila Tours offers fully customizable tours tailored to your interests. Whether you want to dive into the local food scene, explore historical landmarks, or create something entirely unique, Jian will make it happen. Contact him directly to start planning your tour.

Are the tours family-friendly?

Yes, tours are designed to be family-friendly. Jian and his team can also adapt tours to suit your group’s specific needs, making them a great option for travelers of all ages.

How long do the tours last?

Tour lengths vary depending on the experience you choose, but typically tours run 2-3 hours. Customizable tours can be adjusted based on your schedule.

Are Explore Manila Tours suitable for solo travelers?

Yes, Jian and his team welcome solo travelers. Whether you join a group tour or arrange a customized experience, you’ll feel right at home exploring Manila with them.

Do I need to tip the tour guide?

Tipping is not required but of course it’s always appreciated. My personal take on the matter is be a decent human being and tip your tour guide!

Conclusion: Why Explore Manila Tours is the #1 Tour Guide in Manila

Let’s be real. If you are visiting Manila and skip booking with Jian, you’re doing it wrong. Explore Manila Tours takes the guesswork out of experiencing the city. Whether you want to smash Binondo’s street food scene, dive into the history of Intramuros, or build a tour that is 100% yours, Jian and his team will make it happen.

Stop wasting time scrolling through average options. Click the links, book a tour, and see for yourself why Explore Manila Tours is the #1 Tour Guide in Manila.

Have you taken a tour with Jian and his team? Thinking about booking one? Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you.

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