Kitchen

7 Traditional Filipino Foods That Make the Holidays Magical

by Alexa Villano
November 21, 2025

The holidays wouldn’t be complete without these beloved Filipino classics

Food is one of the richest gateways to culture. Christmas is a holiday that Filipino families eagerly anticipate. It’s the time when family members gather, fly back home to be with loved ones, and bond through conversation and food. The same goes for New Year’s, when families savor more time together.

Every Filipino family has a tradition, and food is not far away. Whether it’s a company Christmas party or just family gatherings, these seven Filipino foods are just some of the common dishes and sides that are part of the meal.

Puto bumbong

Puto bumbong alongside bibingka is one of the foods Filipinos buy after attending the early morning Mass or Misa de Gallo. Puto bumbong is a steamed rice cake made from glutinous rice called pirurutong and then transferred into bamboo tubes. Once steamed, it’s wrapped in a banana leaf, and you can put butter, muscovado sugar, and coconut on top. Some add grated cheese too.

Puto bumbong is a traditional part of the Christmas celebration. It’s also something people can eat on the way home. Whether it’s breakfast or merienda, it’s a rice cake that Filipinos will always have as part of the meal.

Today, puto bumbong can be found year-round, not just outside churches during Simbang Gabi.

Bibingka

Another rice cake that’s a staple during Christmas is bibingka. It’s made of glutinous rice, milk, egg, and topped with salted egg. It’s traditionally cooked in a terracotta oven wrapped in a banana leaf. It’s typically topped with butter, coconut, and sugar.

Bibingka and puto bumbong are always a combination for rice cakes during Christmas. It’s not easy to take a pick, so it’s best to grab each one of them.

Over the years, many versions of bibingka have emerged—from classic to modern, each offering a comforting taste of the holidays.

Lechon

No Christmas would be complete without one of the main dishes: lechon. Roasted on a spit, lechon has become a staple of many Filipino festivals. Leftovers are also recycled and used to make other dishes. No wonder many would take home the leftovers.

For many families, lechon is the centerpiece of any major celebration. During the holidays, it’s always best to make reservations ahead.

Ham

Another main dish that has become part of Filipino Christmas tradition is the glazed ham. Over the years, various types of ham have been introduced in the market. From glazed ham, pear-shaped, to majestic, and even expensive varieties, it would not be complete without ham on the table. Pair it with bread and queso de bola, and you have a complete Noche Buena or Medya Noche.

If you’re up for it, there are several recipes to make your own ham. A glazed ham remains the most popular choice for celebrations.

Embutido

Embutido is the Filipino version of meatloaf. It’s usually made of ground pork, raisins, cheese, and vegetables. It can be served at any time of the day. It’s also widely produced and sold in supermarkets, restaurants, and palengkes.

Lumpia

Lumpia is always part of any Filipino celebration, and it varies. Take your pick of lumpia Shanghai (meat) or ubod (vegetables). Other varieties also include cheese, which kids love.

Fruit salad or buko salad

Dessert is always part of the festivities, and on Philippine tables, fruit salad or buko salad is a classic. Made from fruit cocktail and condensed milk, fruit salad can also include additional fruits, such as buko. Buko salad and jelly are also staples on the table. When in doubt, have it both!

Food as a form of love

Love comes in many forms, and for Filipinos, food is one of the most heartfelt ways to express it. As food takes center stage during the Christmas and New Year season, may we remember that every dish reflects the effort, care, and love that went into it.