We are only a few sleeps away from Christmas day. And in the Philippines, it’s the most awaited and exciting season of the year. Filipinos are so keen on celebrating Christmas day that they start preparing early. We are already putting up Christmas decors as early as ‘ber’ months start and very eager to complete nine days of Misa de Gallo. And aside from being busy preparing gifts for our loved ones, Filipinos also get busy deciding on what food to serve  for the Noche Buena, or the midnight dinner before Christmas day.

And to help you decide on which food to serve this year, we list down 10 traditional meals that are being served for feast during the Christmas eve.

Christmas Ham

We can never miss this Noche Buena food because aside from its drooling taste, most employees in the country receive this as a part of their Christmas bonus.  That ball of ham is Christmas cut out and served on a plate. To make sure it’s perfectly served, soak the ham first in cold water to reduce saltiness, then pour a plentiful amount of ham sauce before serving.

Lechon

Since Noche Buena is a special celebration for Filipino families, which sometimes becomes a mini-reunion for some, it is but the best decision to have lechon on the table. Lechon can be enjoyed either as a main dish or as a pulutan. Just take note that this is not a really healthy Filipino food, so please take extra caution and try to consume it in moderation. This dish is best when served with a dipping sauce of either lechon gravy (lechon sauce) or simple spicy vinegar dip. It is also recommended to be consumed within a few minutes after cooking to enjoy its crispiness. No matter how crispy you cook it, the skin can lose its crunch overtime.

Pinoy-style Spaghetti

Unlike the usual spaghetti style that originated in Italy, Pinoy-style spaghetti tastes sweet and best with a lot of hotdog, and cheese at the top. Filipinos, both young and old, love spaghetti so much. Aside from its sweetness, the number one factor that makes Filipino-style spaghetti stand apart from other forms of pasta is its signature taste of its catsup spaghetti sauce. This features a unique tasty sweet flavor that is comparable to the taste of banana ketchup. To make it even more unique — chopped hotdogs, ground pork, onions, and garlic are mixed into the thick sauce made with banana ketchup and tomato paste.

Leche Flan

Another dessert on the Noche Buena list, leche flan is a mixture of egg yolks, condensed milk, fresh milk, and sugar. It’s definitely a treat for those with a sweet tooth During family gatherings, Leche Flan does not look extravagant compared to showy Goldilocks cakes that hold a candle on the top with vibrant colors. However, it is the first dessert to always be consumed. And just like spaghetti, eating Leche Flan during a celebration brings back my childhood happy memories.

Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad is one of the easy-to-make pasta recipe, it is considered essential in many homes during Noche Buena. Macaroni Salad is mixed with the macaroni shells, chicken strips and mayonnaise. If you want it to look more “grandeur”, you can add pieces of apple, carrots, and of course — cheese.

Keso de Bola

If you go to the supermarkets and notice this red ball of cheese, it definitely means Christmas is around the corner. For many, the Noche Buena table feels incomplete without Keso de Bola or Edam cheese on it. Even if it isn’t sliced and served, just seeing the Keso de Bola makes us feel the Christmas spirit. Keso de Bola is best consumed when paired with different dishes, especially cold cuts. In some, it is also used in making macaroni salad or fruit salad, or keso de bola cheesecake.

Carbonara

Creamy Filipino-style Carbonara loaded with crisp bacon, sauteed mushrooms, and flavorful cream sauce is a tasty pasta dish the whole Filipino family surely loves. It's so easy to make and perfect for busy weeknights. In fact, some of the Filipinos (including me) prefer carbonara over spaghetti. It is also a quick dish you can pull together in no time. It has a simple list of ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes or less.

Barbecue

Barbecue can be a pork or a chicken (sometimes fish) thinly sliced and soaked in soy sauce, calamansi, garlic, and other Filipino ingredients — then pierced on bamboo sticks and grilled over charcoal. The aroma of the barbecue on the table will make your mouth water.

Puto Bumbong and Bibingka

Just like keso de bola, you know that Yuletide season is fast approaching when you see Puto Bumbong and Bibingka at the every corner of your street. It is also usually being sold outside the church and most favorite snacks by churchgoers after attending Simbang Gabi. These very Filipino delicacies are cheap and delightful.

Lumpiang Shanghai

Lumpiang Shanghai is a top-tier Filipino food served during occasions, and you can actually see some memes online proving how Filipinos love it. Although lumpiang shanghai is a favorite by a Filipinos, it is actually a Chinese food. It can be a ground pork, shrimp or a combination of both rolled in a lumpia wrapper. It’s so delicious it has become a regular food choice during special occasions.

Albeit this year has been a really tough one to all of us because of the pandemic – thanks to these Noche Buena goods, we can somehow make it to Christmas with excitement and joy. Have a merry and safe Christmas to all!