Every year, our family has a themed Noche Buena to celebrate the holiday season, and this year was especially special as we celebrated my parents' and siblings' 10-year anniversary in Canada. To mark the occasion, we decided to have Filipino food as our theme. We also did a potluck of sorts, with each family member contributing a dish.
My husband and I got Lechon from Kuy's Lechon. I'm happy to share that it was incredibly flavourful, with perfectly crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. It received the seal of approval from my dad, who’s a tough critic when it comes to lechon! I also picked up LA Fried Chicken, as Lechong Manok (roast chicken) was unavailable this year. The fried chicken was crispy on the outside and succulent on the inside, seasoned to perfection.
Dad grilled Tilapia, which had a smoky flavour from the grill, and a soft, flaky texture. Meanwhile, Mom cooked her famous Filipino-style spaghetti. This dish is a sweet, savoury pasta made with ground meat, hotdog slices, and a rich, tomato-based sauce. It’s a beloved comfort food in our family, and it was as delicious as ever. She also prepared a refreshing fruit salad, made with mixed fruits like pineapple, apple, and grapes, all coated in a creamy dressing. It was the perfect balance to the rich savoury dishes.
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| Filipino Noche Buena |
My younger sister and her boyfriend brought a tray of Chop Suey and Bibingka from Pin Pin Restaurant. The Chop Suey was a stir-fried mix of vegetables, shrimp, and chicken in a savory sauce, with a light yet flavorful taste that wasn’t too heavy. The Bibingka, a traditional Filipino rice cake made with rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar, was soft and slightly sweet, with a hint of salt from the cheese and salted egg topping. It was a perfect combination of flavors.
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| Kuy's Half Lechon Chopped |
My brother contributed Palabok, a savory noodle dish made with rice noodles, garlic, shrimp, and a rich pork broth, all topped with crispy chicharrón (pork cracklings) and boiled eggs. He also brought Peach Mango Pie, a sweet and slightly tangy dessert with a flaky crust that melts in your mouth. Both from Jollibee!
Finally, my youngest sister brought our favorite Lumpiang Shanghai (spring rolls) from Little Ongpin. These crispy rolls were filled with a savory mixture of ground pork, shrimp, and vegetables, served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce. They were the perfect bite-sized treat to snack on throughout the evening.
I’m in a food coma! It was an intense night of eating, but it was so worth it. We also got to play some video games – The Jackbox Party Pack and Tools Up. It was a riot, as always, filled with laughter and fun moments.
For the record, here’s a list of our past Noche Buena themes:
- 2023: Canadian Food
- 2022: Ukrainian Food from Ukrainian Village
- 2021: Korean Food from H-Mart
- 2020: Chinese Food from Lin Chinese Cuisine and Tea House
- 2019: French Food (cooked by my sister)
- 2018: Spanish Food
- 2017: Japanese Food
- 2016 and 2015: Domino's Pizza and my mom's Filipino-style spaghetti
