This place is a hidden gem! Despite its small space and by just having few parking slots, the food they serve are quite commendable. Very underrated because it really delivers and they're generous with all their food servings, especially the noodles. It's crowded on weekends, especially on Sundays, but it's worth the wait. Not your typical Chinese restaurant, but the food really will tell you how it remained outstanding for a very long time.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Charlie Wanton House (AKA Charlie Wanton Special) is a hidden gem in Mandaluyong City. They were originally in Santa Cruz Manila until they moved to their present address in 1996.
It's just a short walk from Jose Rizal University, Shaw Boulevard. There’s limited parking space so it’s best to park elsewhere and walk, or simply commute.
The restaurant itself has a nice, warm, old neighborhood vibe. Nothing fancy, but definitely cozy. The service? They’re fast!
How was the food? We tried 2 types of noodles and their special bola-bola siopao.
1. Beef Wanton Mami (Regular - Php 200, Special - Php 220)
- Serving size for the special mami is HUGE that it had to be served in two different bowls!! (One for the soup, the other for the noodles and the toppings) 😱
- The bowl is filled with noodles down to the bottom. It’s topped with 3 big wantons and huge chunks of beef.
- The soup is hearty and comforting. Flavorful but not too rich.
- The wanton gives off a burst of sesame flavor with each bite.
- The beef is really tender!!! 🐮
2. Beef Soba (Php 220)
- Noodles are not the "soba" we know from Japanese restaurants. They use the same one from their mami, but this dish has a thicker sauce.
- Toppings are beef and a lot of fried tofu. The soup is rich, and flavorful as well. Super yummy and satisfying! 💖🐷
3. Special Bola-bola Siopao (Php 95)
- The bread itself is already tasty (soft and tastes really fresh). The meaty bola-bola filling is seasoned just right, and has a generous amount of salted egg slices! YUM!!!
- What makes it yummier is the sauce which has that caramelized brown sugar flavor in it. Compliments the umami of the bola-bola.
- Oh, and did we mention that this siopao is also really big? See the 4th photo for reference! 🤤
Charlie Wanton Special is now one of our go-to hole-in-the-wall places in Mandaluyong City. The food is affordable (see photos for their full menu) but does not taste cheap at all. It’s no wonder that this cozy hidden gem stood the test of time. 👍🏻
Francesca Maceda Pinero
+5
I love asian cuisine specially Chinese food this isn’t the first time i was able to eat in here this is just one of those memorable dining experience i had the taste is so 👌🏻
This place has been serving the community for generations now. Traditional and no-frills Chinese restaurant.
They are known for their Mami which can satisfy a famished person and then some. I recommend ordering their Beef Wanton Mami, generous with the beef and the wanton, which becomes better with their own version of Chili. I also recommend trying any of their siopao.
They have a separate room for private group dining which features a round table. They have parking slots outside but the place can get packed on peak hours.
Accidentally found this place by getting lost in Mandaluyong.
Their Wonton special is superb. Fully loaded with siomai, beef, vegetables and that chewy noodles plus They give an extra bowl of soup. Siopao was also good thought not the best i had, but it goes really really well with the soup I ordered.
Rating a 5-star specifically to their Wanton Special! The restaurant is so aptly named, one cannot visit and leave without trying their wanton, best complemented by chilli oil. Pro-tip, buy extra for take out and pasalubong, they sell the frozen kind, just ask for extra chilli oil!
Craving for Chi-noy favorites? This is definitely a great choice.
Food - 5. Yummy though not really authentic. Price is considerable given it's serving size.
Ambiance - 3. You cannot expect much to a Mami house restaurant.
Service - 4. Very accomodating and friendly staff.
Order: Beef Wanton Mami, Maki Mi, Bola Bola Siopao and Siomai
This place is one of my favorite restaurants in the whole of manila! I go out of my way to mandaluyong just to have my monthly fix of this place. The restaurant is better now having gone through multiple revamping but we all know that is not what you are coming from when you are here. I order two things here: The siomai although is quite pricey, is worth it for not only it’s size but it’s taste. It is the best seller and usually is out of stock when dinner comes as that is what everyone orders—hell i have two orders per visit. The second dish I get is the Camaron Rebosado has a unique breading the I really love and it’s not nakakaumay. Sometimes when I want something different, I would order wonton. Very good noodles! I also celebrate my birthdays here with my family. All of these are a must try!
CateyPerryAlwaysHungry
+5
Current addiction to Charlie's which I feel would stay for quite some time. Dont be discouraged with the humble ambiance, its whats keeping the price affordable. Everything that comes out of the kitchen is a masterpiece to the palette. But my favorite would be the wanton beef mami and shrimp omelette. Must must must try!!!
Pro tip: Come in befoee 630pm to secure parking and table, otherwise get ready to be hangry with line queues.
Justine Lauren B. Chan
+4
Authentic Beef Wanton Mami Place. They must renovate the place a little to give better ambiance for the rushing flow of customers. This place was full last time we went and they have really good Chinese staple food like Siopao and Siomai.
It was during a recuperating period for me when we decided to drop by Charlie for a light and quick dinner. I was happy to see my favorite Hot and Sour soup in the menu. And, boy, did I finish the whole order, all to myself. Their soup felt right at home, all with bits of black mushroom, pork, tofu and green peas.
Their asado siopao, on the other hand, reminds of old school binondo-mami-food trip feels.
We also ordered Camaron Rebosado. It was so cooked perfectly that we were able to eat even the small piece of shell and tail. Haha.
We had miki bihon for take out also. Perfect for pasalubong.
Cheap, tasty and savory! One of my to go during the cold weather. Though for the place I think it needs improvement and on how they serve customers but hey, sprinkle some chilis on the soup and you’ll think you are on some authentic chinese resto!
Chinese restaurant where the chinese people go? That would be Charlie's in the Mandaluyong / San Juan area.
It is the food that people go for, but the place looks dated. Perfect for nostalgic patrons, but a bit of a turn off for younger generations.
Go for the beef wanton noodles. It's packed!
Place: 3/5
Food: 5/5
Price: 4.5/5
Service: 4/5
The best talaga yung beef wanton mami nila dito, halos lahat ng tao nadunadayo dito ang kinakain yan pati siomai at siopao nila, hindi lang masyado ngumingiti mga staff nila pero on point naman yung service nandiyan agad agad, tapos yung waiting time ng food saglit lang din, medyo luma na yung place nila pero promise try niyo yung Beef Wanton Mami nila, sulit na sulit yung 200 pesos sa serving na pang 3 pax pero kung malakas kumain kasya sa isa. Haha. Go na! 😂
Charlie’s Wanton Special is a Hole-In-The-Wall Chines neighborhood restaurant in Mandaluyong and San Juan where they have 3 generations of following from their patrons. It is straightforward, no-frills Chinese restaurant staying true to their core product- Serving the best damn noodles in Metro Manila.
The food taste great, this is where me & my family eat ever since we’re kids and I’m so happy to eat there again. The serving is huge enough for families. The place needs a lot of improvement, but over all the food is what we’re digging.
Food is still good like before. The place just needs a very serious update. From waiters uniform, tables , chairs and specially the restroom.
Its 2018 and using a chopstick as a barrel lock for the restroom is unforgivable.
You can never go wrong woth Charlie's. Even people who live far from San Juan and Mandaluyong know this place and it has been mentioned numerous time as a landmark. They are best known for their Wonton Special. 5 stars for food quality,,serving size and price.
The service and the food is great however they maybe interested updating the locations's ambience. Nothing says Chinese Restaurant in there. It's like typical eatery. The place was hot maybe because their AC cannot accomodate the many patrons or naybe because it was lunchtime. The space from other table are too narrow, giving you too little privacy. Hands down on their patatim, it was superb!
Daniel Carlo Cocjin Bueno
+5
Been going to this place since I was little. To tell you the truth this place gives mo nostalgic feels of my childhood specially when I savor the rich soup of the beef wanton mami. The delicate and tasty beef chunk that have been boiling for hours gives its warm hearty flavor in your mouth that never changed ever since.
Charlie's Wanton Special is a Hole-In-The-Wall Affordable Chinese Restaurant in San Juan. It reminds me a lot of Hap Chan and Manhann but cheaper and no frills. carinderia style with aircon. No fancy set ups unlike the other Chinese Restos. Just good food.
According to my boyfriend who lives in San Juan, it's a popular Chinese Resto ever since he was a kid. It often gets full and it's popular among the residences in the area. They have the best Shomai and Mami daw but sadly I wasn't able to try it upon visiting cause it was already out of stock 😞
So instead I ordered their Rice Meal, I ordered their Fish Fillet Taosi for P185. The serving is huge I believe this is alredy good for 2. The boyfie ordered their Lechon rice and he didn't really like it that much.
I will definitely come back for the shomai and see if it's worth the hype! If you have been here any recos what to order next time?
This place is one of the best restaurants I have eaten in. From their mami's to their mouth-watering fried chicken, oh my God, you have to eat here. It is a hidden gem and is perfect for family get-togethers since they also have a function room. The prices are very reasonable and sulit! Our all-time favourites are the Beef Broccoli, Sweet and Sour, Fried Rice, Crispy Pancit, Ampalaya Con Carne, Hot and Sour Soup - the list goes on! Basically everything on the menu! Haha! My family and I have eaten at Charlie countless times, and we will be paying this lovely restaurant a visit tomorrow! Please eat here! :)
The taste of the beef and tenderness on my Beef Wonton Noodle soup was superb. The Halo (laman loob) was the Bomb. Will defintely be going back here soon. Talap!
Located a few steps away from our place, I personally love their variety of mami, Chinese food on the menu are priced reasonably, and taste good as well. And I love their Maki Mi! One of the best I've tasted.
If you're looking for a Chinese Restaurant that serves the classic taste, this is where you should go.
However, please take note that crews are not all accommodating.
Good thing that their food is good not just how it looks, but how it tastes as well. Nothing could make you lose your appetite.
Definitely a must-go eatery and to be recommended.
First time i tried and can't wait to go back... i had their beef wanton mami with lots of extra soup ha ha ha ha.. all my other orders are OOS kaya siguro binigyan na kami ng extra sabaw 😂😂😂
There was a time when I came here with my boss about once a week and order Beef wanton mami. The servings are big and not pricey. You would have to be there by 11am or parking is going to be a challenge. I also like their para tim.
Very delicious food with an affordable price. We ordered beef wanton mami and beef with broccoli rice toppings. I'm impressed how big their servings are for the rice toppings and it's so delicious. Their huge asado siopai is a must try too. Ambiance is okay & service is great.
A pre-war chinese panciteria that started in Binondo although the last remaining branch is now Mandaluyong. Ordered lumpiang shanghai, pinsec frito, beef wanton noodle soup, chopseuy rice, and shrimp with green peas and cashew. Everything was good but the one that really stood out was the beef wanton noodle soup.
One of the old Chinese restaurant in ongpin Manila transferred in madaluyong city.
When it comes to mami this is the best the noodles & broth is perfect paired with siopao
Had the Beef Wonton Mami, Yummy Siopao & Charlie Rice! Yummy!! Old traditional chinatown restaurant setting & ambiance. I love it! Brings back memories when I was a young lad, my grandfather would take me to chinatown for lunch or dinner!
Their Wanton-Beef Mami is simply one of the best in the Metro. A no frills resto which serves good food. Time your visit as diners come in droves.
Love the beef wanton mami's in this place. The broth is really flavorful and not to mention refillable. The interiors can use a bit of work but the service is fast and efficient. Have been going to this place when we find ourselves in the San Juan area and that says a lot of how the food and service are in this place.
Love the Mami's in this place as they soup is really flavorful and the noodles are cooked really well. It's been a while since I have been back here, but back then, if you dined in, they offered to refill your bowl with soup stock should you want them to. Really good mami's that are priced just right and is perfect for the rainy weather ahead.
Charlie's Wanton Special brings back a lot of good memories as this is my family's go to place for quick meals. We do not mind the set up of the place but it has improved over the years in small doses. The service is quick here and the food when serves is also quickly consumed by us. They specialize mostly in Mami's but they have a lot of other really good dishes to try. But try the Beef Wantons first to get a glimpse as to why this place is popular.
The place looks like a canteen, literally. But the service here is nice and the place is always seemingly packed with people. When you taste their food, you find out the reason why people keep coming back. They serve really good mami's here. And when you pay the bill, the price is even better as the food is cheap but you certainly get more than your money's worth.
Price for this place is really affordable. They serve honest to goodness food that simply reminds me of home. Presentation of food and of the place is not much, but as long as the food is well prepared, it is enough to enjoy. Love their beef wanton here which is always served hot and flavorful.
Been a loyal patron of Charlie's Wanton Special simply because the food is goof. The place might not look like much but what they lack in ambiance they certainly well make up for it in the taste of their dishes. Love those really huge siomai's that my sister and I always must order with every meal.
Perfect for the rainy season! Chinese restaurant for all those craving for noodles and other food. I ordered beef mami and it was good. But I think their place needs renovation because it's quite small. Til next visit! 😊
Very good noodles. I have tried their beef wanton and it is really delicious. One of the best beef noodles for me. Good value for money since servings were big, really good for sharing.
When it is raining and if I am within this resto's vicinity, I always make sure to stop by. Their wanton beef noodles is an amazing treat. Its priced very fair and the serving size is outstanding.
The soup is not oily. Its one of the things that I look for in a good wanton noodle. Ever get the feeling that after slurping and your mouth has been lined with motor oil? This soup will not give you but just instant pleasure of that beef flavour. Speaking of beef, it is juicy but not overpowering, it shares the spotlight with the noodles. I tell you, this is a good place to be caught in the rain.
Value for money is excellent. Price is right.
Food Quality is excellent.
Food Quantity is above expectation.
Service is above expectation.
Parking as expected.
Cleanliness as expected.
Good food, fair price. Big servings!!! Its great that they have large servings with small prices. You normally would see these prices and the servings are not big or many but this is different from others and food is delicious
Been here. And I was amused by the servings of their food. When the food was served, i, with my friends, just ate in "hmmmm saraaap", enjoying and savoring every taste of the food. I had my beef wanton mami and siopao one bite after the another. Also, the shrimp soba was so GOOD ???????????? we were satisfied and had pasalubongs for our loved ones. We had a happy tummies without paying too much ????
usual wanton house where you will get what you've paid for, you will never go wrong with this place, tasty dishes big servings, sometimes the place can get crowdy especially lunch time.
my dad introduced this little gem to us years ago and, since then, it's been my secret go-to noodle house (apparently, it's a secret no longer). Their specialize in wanton dishes and I always (ALWAYS!) order their wanton mami. I have always ordered just the regular serving since, because they can refill your soup stock, to order the special serving would be pure gluttony on my part. a word of caution though: eat in as much as possible (read as: don't take food home) since we found that the soup goes bad after only a few hours of leaving it in room temperature.
This place is practically a ride away from where I live, so when I want delicious mami, this is were I head off too. They have the most delicious tasting beef or wanton mami that I have ever tasted. The place is somewhat simple and humble but they sure do know how to make customers come back for their food. They also serve really big siomai's here which was something that I was actually amazed with when I first saw it. A definite must try when you are in the area.
The place has a simple setup, it's not that pricey but man it was sooo delicious! The Mami that is! They also have a nice and friendly staff who's always there to assist you. Well recommended!
If you want cheap and delcious chinese food, Charlie's is one of the best places to be. It's a hole in the wall food joint that offers a very casual and laid back setting.
Parking is a little hard tho, especially during lunch or dinner.. This restaurant never has an idle time because they always have customers round the clock.
One of the best Beef Wanton Noodle Soups I've ever tasted. You'll know that their Beef Wanton Noodle is served fresh because of its rich color and taste. It's beef based soup is very delicious too, you'll finish it to the last drop for sure!
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes