Madrid’s world-famous churros now in Manila
MADRID’s iconic Chocolatería San Ginés opens its very first Asian flagship at the ground floor of The Podium.
MADRID’s iconic Chocolatería San Ginés opens its very first Asian flagship at the ground floor of The Podium.
PHOTOGRAPHS courtesy of Chocolatería San Ginés
If you’re looking for a love story that’s been simmering since 1894, look no further than the bottom of a cup of dark, velvety chocolate. The legendary Chocolatería San Ginés has become a Madrid institution, famous worldwide for its iconic churros and thick Spanish chocolate.
MANILA has direct access to their ‘world’s best’ signature churros.
Back in the day, the Madrid original was so tucked away in a narrow alley near Puerta del Sol that locals nicknamed it “La Escondida.” It was the city’s best-kept secret — a hideout for theatergoers and night owls looking for a “churro-ly” divine experience amid vintage green wood panels and marble tabletops.
Fast forward more than a century, and the “Hidden One” has stepped into the spotlight at The Podium in Mandaluyong. But why did the Trapote family choose Manila as their gateway to the East over heavy hitters like Tokyo or Singapore? According to co-owner Shaan Chainani, the choice was a “very obvious decision.”
BESIDES churros, the flagship store offers other Spanish meals.
“Well, the Philippines is one of the greatest countries in the world,” Chainani said. “The cultural heritage is very similar to Spanish. Spain and the Philippines have huge and very close ties... they’re two countries where the palates are extremely the same,” he added a day before the store’s official opening on 29 April this year.
The 1894 standard: Importing the magic
While the Manila branch has traded the secretive alleyway for a sleek, minimalist vibe, the flavor remains strictly old-school. If you’re worried about “lost in translation” flavors, don’t be. The mission is to ensure that the Manila treat has the exact same glassy crunch and airy interior as the 19th-century original.
“As you probably tried it, you can see the churro in Manila and the churro in Madrid taste exactly the same,” Chainani said.
This isn’t just luck; it’s a logistical feat. To maintain the “1894 standard,” the brand insists on replicating the Madrid kitchen as closely as possible.
“We ensure it by making sure that the quality of ingredients that we have is exactly the same... The chocolate is imported, the flour is imported, the oil that we use — it all has to pass brand standards,” Chainani said.
