When it comes to celebrating birthdays in the Philippines, the food is just as important as the celebration itself. A proper Filipino birthday party menu is an absolute must to make the day truly special. From Savory main dishes to sweet delicacies, Filipino cuisine offers an incredible array of flavours and dishes that are perfect for marking this joyous occasion. With its unique blend of Spanish, Chinese, Malay and indigenous influences, Filipino food is a delicious melting pot of tastes.

The Main Attractions

No Filipino birthday party menu would be complete without including some beloved main dishes that are sure to satisfy every guest. These iconic centrepieces are the stars of any celebratory spread. Here are some classics that should definitely be on the menu:

Lechon (Roasted Pig)

This is arguably the most iconic of all Filipino dishes for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, and holidays. A whole suckling pig is stuffed with flavourful herbs like lemongrass, tamarind, vinegar, and spices, then slowly roasted over hot coals until the skin becomes crispy perfection. The tender, juicy meat is then theatrically carved off the bones tableside for maximum drama and anticipation. It’s a true labour of love that makes any event feel extravagant.

Kare-Kare (Peanut Stew)

This rich, Savory stew consisting of ox tail, vegetables like eggplant, long beans and bok choy, and a thick, velvety peanut sauce flavoured with achuete (annatto seeds) is a must for any special occasion. It has a beautifully complex flavour that is enhanced even more by a side of shrimp paste (bagoong alamang) for dipping. The nutty sauce over tender oxtail is pure Filipino comfort food at its finest.

Pancit (Noodles)

Pancit, or noodle dishes, are considered an auspicious addition to Filipino birthday celebrations. The long, unwoven noodles symbolize long life and good luck. Varieties like pancit bihon (rice noodles), pancit canton (egg noodles tossed with vegetables), and pancit palabok (noodles with a bright orange shrimp sauce) are all delicious options to include.

Adobo

You simply can’t go wrong with the national dish of the Philippines: adobo. Whether it’s chicken or pork, the meat is first marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, peppercorns and bay leaves before being simmered until extremely tender and full of rich, tangy, garlicky flavour. It’s the quintessential Filipino comfort food that is beloved nationwide.

The Sides and Appetizers

No proper Filipino meal would be complete without an array of delicious sides and appetizers to accompany the sumptuous main dishes. These flavourful bites and dishes add fantastic variety:

• Lumpiang Shanghai (Fried Spring Rolls) – These crispy, crunchy little fried spring roll bundles are filled with a Savory mixture of ground pork, shrimp, carrots and jicama. They’re the perfect appetizer for snacking before the main event.
• Rellenong Manok (Stuffed Chicken) – Whole deboned chickens are stuffed with a decadent mixture of ground pork, raisins, chorizo sausage, chestnuts and more to create an impressive presentation.
• Pinakbet – A hearty vegetable dish consisting of ampalaya (bitter melon), eggplant, okra, tomatoes, string beans and flavoured with shrimp paste (bagoong alamang). It showcases the fresh produce of the Philippines in a uniquely tangy way.
• Ensaladang Talong (Eggplant Salad) – Charred, grilled eggplant that’s been mashed is mixed with juicy tomatoes, red onions and a zippy, spicy vinegar dressing for a punch of bright, tangy flavour.

Sweet Treats

You can’t have a proper Filipino birthday celebration without an array of delicious desserts and sweet treats! These classics are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth:

• Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam) – Made from boiled and mashed purple yams, this thick, velvety jam gets its vibrant colour and distinct flavour from the ube (purple yam). It’s enriched even further with coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk, then often served warm and topped with a sprinkle of salty cheese for a sweet-salty combination.
• Brazo de Mercedes – These decadents rolled cakes start with a light, airy meringue that gets spread with thick custard, then carefully rolled up into a spiral of creamy goodness. The name translates to “Mercedes’ Arms” and one bite reveals why.
• Halo-Halo – Considered the ultimate Filipino cold dessert, halo-halo (“mix-mix”) lives up to its name. Shaved ice is piled high with an assortment of sweet treats like sweetened beans, nata de coco (coconut gelatine), jackfruit, flan, ube jam, milk, and an array of bright purple, red and yellow gulaman (plant-based gels and jellies). It’s both a flavour and texture explosion.
• Leche Flan – A classic Filipino version of the Spanish custard dessert, leche flan consists of a rich, silky caramel custard base with an ooey-gooey caramelized syrup topping. It’s creamy and sweet, but never too heavy.
• Puto & Kutsinta – Made from a steamed rice flour batter, these bite-sized cakes and steamed cakes treat the tastebuds. Puto is plain while kutsinta contains ground annatto seeds for a beautiful orange hue and slight nutty flavour from brown sugar.

The Refreshments

With such a spread of delectable dishes, you’ll need plenty of refreshing beverages to wash it all down. Consider including some of these tasty Filipino drink options:

• Sago’t Gulaman – A popular cooler drink made with brown sugar and water that contains sago (tapioca pearls) and cubes of bright gelatin gulaman for pops of flavour.
• Calamansi Juice – The juice of these tiny, tangy citrus fruits is incredibly refreshing, especially when sweetened slightly with honey or brown sugar.
• Buko Juice – The juice from young, green coconuts (buko) is like liquid gold – refreshing, naturally sweet water straight from the fruit itself. You can’t get any more tropical than that!
• San Miguel Beer – It’s a quintessential pairing with all that delicious food. San Miguel is an iconic crisp, golden lager that’s enjoyed nationwide at all Filipino gatherings and celebrations.

 

Conclusion

With so many incredible dishes and flavours to choose from, crafting the perfect Filipino birthday menu is both a joy and a delicious challenge. Mix and match your favourite savoury mains like lechon and adobo with mouth-watering appetizers and sides like lumpia and pinakbet. Then balance it all out with some decadent desserts and cool refreshments for a spread that will make your birthday celebration unforgettable.