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
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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
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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:
