At a local mom-and-pop grocery (M&W Townstore) whenever the fam and I are in town (Pila, Laguna), I’ve been seeing these bottles of some “tonic wine” I’ve never heard of.
With a label like this, how can one not be curious?
Methinks this is the kind of stuff that the Kung Fu “drunken master(s)” I used to watch on T.V. in the ’80s were chugging.
Says a cached copy of a page from what looks like the distillery’s dot com:
HERBAL WINE
PRODUCT NAME: Vino de Chino / Vino de Kung Fu
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: See Hok Tong, the original and pioneer brand of Chinese herbal wines was first produced by Destileria Limtuaco over a hundred and fifty years ago. Being first in the market, it soon became the generic name for the product and evolved in to what is now commonly called “Sioktong”.
Today, DLCI continues to manufacture quality herbal wines but under the current brand names of Vinous De Chino & Vino Kung Fu. For five generations now, Destileria Limtuaco still uses the same secret family recipe of ingredients derived from a variety of chinese herbs.
SELLING PROPOSITIONS:
- This medicinal wine is perfect for people who want to revitalize their vigor and vitality. Taken daily, it increases energy and power.
- Distilled from over 15 Chinese herbs with cold and hot properties, it promotes the balance of “yin and yang,” the key to good health.
- Women particularly take it because it contains blood tonics and blood regulators that is good for reproductive health.
Available in:
- 350ml bottle / 24 bottles per case
- 50 Proof / 25% alc. by vol.
LOL. Someone even made a Vino de Kung Fu / Vino de Chino (Sioktong) Facebook Page for it and used this clearer photo below:
I even found a made-up origin of the mysterious liquid, at a blog named Uhaw Pa Sa Camel:
Vino Kung-fu
In 1852, a young chinese kung-fu master brought to Manila the secrets of making medicinal wine using secret herbs. Thus, Vino Kung-fu was born. Energy giving Siok Tong that tastes good. Highly recommended for good health. Drink Vino Kung-fu for V-igor and V-itality.
Says The Amats Project:
Hihindi ka ba sa alak na ganyan yung picture?
Labeled as “Original Sioktong” and “Medicinal Wine,” we still have no idea why this drink exists. Judging by the muscle man on the bottle, we’re guessing this P35 bottle of cane alcohol is supposed to make men more virile or something. Or turn you in into the Chinese version of The Hulk. In either case, such an intriguing bottle couldn’t be left untasted.
Vino de Chino actually tastes like a watered-down Jagermeister. It has that herb-y, medicinal flavor to it that kind of stings. It’s not delicious, but for 35 bucks and the promise of the Chinese muscle man, it’s worth a try.
Hombre, this is the counterpart of Vino Kulafu and Fighter Wine in Visayas and Mindanao. Sioktong was my lolo’s favorite. Amazing they still make this.
Spotted in Laguna. Haven’t seen any at shops within the Metro. Any chance of you snapping a photo of Fighter Wine over there?
Find fighterwine on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/uy.masuy.7
i found some on a bottom shelf in CVC grocery along Marcos Hiway in Antipolo, Rizal. Check out my Tumblr for pics.
Cool. Thanks for sharing! Did you drink any? What did it taste like?
Your post is at http://totoroismyhomeboy.tumblr.com/post/10997047103.
My grandmother always have a shot of this when I was young. She lived till she is 94 in good health. I guess it works!!!! My mother gave me this with black coffee to help me out with my stomach pain. Oh well it works too!!! Why? I am too young to drink alcohol then. So, it knocked me off. Good bye pain
Thanks for sharing, Edith. I hear that Siok Tong is highly recommended by a lot of elders. Your mom’s coffee mix sounds like an Asian version of Irish coffee. Maybe you should try making some again, and with some thick cream on top. Hehe.
You should try mixing this with Coke (like coke & rhum) since the after taste of this is a bit sweet, it goes well with the cocktail.
Hi, Jane. I got myself a bottle out of curiosity, but it remains unopened. Thanks for the tip! I’ll keep it in mind.
is this product available in the U S A..in San Antonio, Texas
Hi. No idea. Probably not, unless there is a Filipino store there that imports the product.
hello po sa inyo, student po ako ng history sa PUP, gumagawa po ako ng study ukol sa sioktong partikular ung kumpanyang gumawa nito.. ung Vino de Chino ay katumbas po ng Energy Drink ngayon.. actually noong 1852 ng inilabas o ibinenta ito ay mga farmers ang siyang tumangkilik nito. sa Binondo ito unang ginawa kasi un lang place para sa mga christianized Chinese then ito din ang center of trade
Hello din sa iyo, Jordan. Salamat sa impormasyon! Katumbas pala ito ng “energy drink”.
welcome po. By the Way sasalang nakami sa Panel by June 27-28, 2012. lumaganap ang Sioktong hindi lang sa manila ayon sa CEO nito.. nakarating din ito sa Ilocos Region by means of ILOG PASIG. kasi during those years ang Ilog Pasig ang naging way of transportation and trade.
Good luck on June 27-28! Yup, I’ve heard stories of some of my trader-ancestors transporting goods via river barge from Candaba, Pampanga down south to Manila.
yeah. thank you po!
mayroon na po pala ako sample ng Vino de Chino at Vino de Kung Fu, pero di ko pa tinitikman 
)
It’s my LOLO’s fave drink when he was alive. He will not eat lunch and dinner without SiokTong. It used to be sold in round bottle with paper label and very cheap compared to other drinks. It’s very popular among elders way back 30-40 years ago.
i just bought one worth P100 a bottle…the wine tastes good…liked it!…i need it for my period….let’s see if it works for me….hope so…xxxxxxx
Where, What area does it sell for PhP 100 per bottle? I hope it helps you in terms of improved blood circulation.
hello, i bought it from my supplier of my goods in manila…yes, indeed!,..greatly improved my period…para siyang lasang mild na whisky…
huh? i only bought that at 30 php something
Same here. I got mine for PhP 30-something from a mini mart in Laguna,
nakakatulong ba to para mag ka period ang babae?
well anyway guys.. ito na pinampalit ko sa redhorse! hahahha..healthy pa!!
hahah. talaga? saan lugar ka nakakabili? para yata kasi syang wine tonic, helps promote blood circulation, kaya mas-healthy talaga kumpara sa beer na puro calories & pampalaki ng tyan. he he.