Super late post. Just now getting a chance to post. Was brought here on my business trip to Manila. Was cool to learn this is the oldest chinatown in the world. This place does not deserve the low ratings. Its old school good chinese food. My experience was great. Place was clean, food was fresh and came out fairly quickly. Staff was great. Only regret is not trying the peking duck hanging by the windows haha

Although the restrooms are typical of Asian restrooms and should generate a minus one star from me at least, I am rating President Grand at 5 stars because the food and service are just unmatched as far as Chinese restaurants go, anywhere in the world that I have been. Truly, truly authentic Ongpin Chinese cuisine as my hubby and I remember the best from back in the '60s and '70s! They never changed! Every time we return to Manila, we make a reason to go to the Ongpin district, so we can stop by President Grand Palace!

Tasty food and great service. Very attentive with great care. I will recommend this place for great Chinese cuisine.

Food here is really good, the staff is very professional. Ordered three items and it filled our stomachs with satisfaction, make sure you ask for rice because I wasn't sure if our waiter heard me. A must try place when you're visiting Chinatown in Manila.

The President Grand Palace holds a long history in the country's Chinatown. Originally, it was located along Ongpin cor Sabino Padilla Sts (formerly Gandara St), beside the famed Salazar Bakeshop. It is the restaurant to go during banquets and festivities. On recent years, it moved to its location now cornering Salazar St. The location was used to be a Chinese movie theater. I remember going there many nights after finishing my homework. After 3-5 years after it moved, the family owning the restaurant broke into a civil war, which ended badly. The restaurant was closed for a brief moment. A few years ago (2010 or 2011 I think), the President reopened on the same venue, but the quality is not the same as before. However, they still try their best to maintain the traditional way of Chinese cooking. It is still the place to hold banquets at a cheaper and more affordable price. It has been a long time since I last visited the place and had the chance to do so again as my friend celebrated her birthday. She ordered a feast with Misua, Steamed Fish, Steamed Suahe, Steamed Crabs in Garlic, Yang Chow Fried Rice, Peking Duck 3 ways, Cold Cuts, and Vegetables. Despite the twists and fusions on food with most Chinese restaurants, President still cooks it the traditional way. I love the Fried Rice because of its generous servings of shrimps. It is lightly seasoned and not oily. A basic dish done perfectly is a sign that the chef is highly skilled. I enjoyed my dinner, it has a light feeling despite the number of dishes we had. Visit this restaurant if you want to have a taste of traditional Chinese cooking.

If I'm honest, I don't know the history and legacy of this venerable institution of Chinese cuisine. If I'm extremely honest, however--it doesn't really matter. What does matter, where the gloves really do come off is in the food department. And man, is the President's Department of Food really knocking it out of the park. I've been here a few times now, every time ordering something slightly different, and every time leaving slightly more impressed. We all know what's going to appear on the menu: the same stuff that appears on any Filipino-Chinese restaurant menu. What I don't know is how President just seems to make it better than any other in the price range. From the most basic dimsum to more elaborate fare, President really knows what it's doing in the kitchen, and apparently has been doing it this way for generations. Take a walk along Ongpin in Manila's Chinatown to find a plethora of "Presidents" to choose from. I'm sure there's some difference between them, but the one thing that remains the same is the food. And isn't that what really matters?