Ling Nam Noodle Factory and Wonton Parlor

Grandfathers know best...

Food

Service

Atmosphere

   Every Sunday morning, my grandpa gets his regular table and sits on his favorite chair at Ling Nam. He orders a piping hot bowl of Wanton Noodles (P100 / US$2+) and gets a glass of complimentary house tea. This has been his habit for the last three decades or so (hey, I'm only 30-something so what happened before I was born, I don't know...), along with other similarly aged Chinese folk. 

   Founded in 1950, Ling Nam is an institution here in Manila. Nevermind that the place is cramped, almost always packed full, and less than immaculate when it comes to cleanliness. Service? What's that? Service here consists of putting your order on the table, the end. But this is where Ling Nam shines -- they make their own noodles, each strand lovingly created by experienced hands... or maybe their own factory assembly line by now, but whichever the case they're still the good old chewy noodles of yesteryear. You can even buy uncooked noodles for you to enjoy at home using your own recipe.

   Fathers, or should I say, Grandfathers, do know best... which is why they still flock to Ling Nam for their fill of noodles and dimsum well after the newer, snazzier noodle and dimsum places have opened up around the city. You'd be wise to follow suit.