We take our birthday parties seriously in this part of the world. As with any Filipino gathering, birthday parties must have food—lots of it, in big portions designed for sharing. After all, abundance is the name of the game of the birthday handaan, and even households on a budget would usually find ways to maximize the resources available to throw a party.
1. Pinoy Spaghetti
Love it or hate it, Pinoy spaghetti is a birthday party indispensable. It’s decidedly kitschy—and distinctly Filipino—with its bright red, tangy-sweet sauce made with banana ketchup or Filipino-style spaghetti sauce, ground pork and/or beef, condensed milk in some recipes, and sliced red hotdogs, plus the essential topping of grated processed cheese.
2. Pancit
The Pinoy party spread is a curious mix of Filipinized Western and full-on Filipino viands. So while you’ll find Pinoy spaghetti in there, you’re also bound to find a bilao of pancit in the mix—right in line with the Asian custom of eating noodles on one’s birthday for a long life. Guisado (stir-fried) is the typical treatment given to pancit at parties, as it’s easy to serve for sharing and holds up its form over time.
3. Hotdogs
The ultimate kiddie party pica pica are red hotdogs, grilled or fried then skewered with marshmallows at the tips—a fun way to keep the kids safe from poking each other’s eyes. It shouldn’t make sense, but it does—the sweet, pillowy mallows serve as a fun counterpoint to the savory, snappy ‘dogs.
4. Chicken Lollipop
Fried chicken is always a hit, but there’s something particularly fun and festive about having it in lollipop form. Chicken lollipops are made with chicken drumettes and winglets that are cut in such a way that there’s an exposed bone “handle” holding a wad of meat that’s battered, breaded, and deep-fried to a crisp.
5. Pork BBQ
Another well-loved inihaw at birthday parties is Pinoy-style pork BBQ—cuts of lean and fatty pork, skewered and marinated in a barbecue sauce mix that’s sweet, savory, and just a touch spicy. Though these grilled skewers are plenty flavorful on their own, they’re equally fantastic as ulam in their own right, with rice.
6. Lumpiang Shanghai
Crispy on the outside with a satisfying, savory interior, lumpiang shanghai is an easy pick for people of all ages—from picky-eater kids to traditionalist adults. These deep-fried, meat-filled spring rolls are best dunked into the sweet and sour sauce or sweet chili sauce typically provided on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Originally starting as caution for kids, the tender and juicy hotdog and the fluffy marshmallows have become an iconic duo at Filipino parties. This is usually served at kid’s parties, so covering the tip of the stick with marshmallows was our version of “child-proofing” the pointy ends.
Besides the large portions pancit usually comes in, it’s part of the Asian custom of eating noodles on one’s birthday for a long life.
Pinoy spaghetti is sweeter compared to the Italian spaghetti the rest of the world is more familiar with. The added sweetness comes from using banana ketchup and sugar, which became a necessity during wartime when tomatoes were scarce.
There are also some toppings that you wouldn’t find on any other kind of spaghetti dish like sliced pieces of hotdog.
Filipino-style pork BBQ consists of skewered lean and fatty pork marinated in a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy barbecue sauce, then grilled. At parties, it typically functions as a main ulam alongside rice rather than a standalone snack.
Lumpiang shanghai is a deep-fried, meat-filled Filipino spring roll with a crispy exterior and savory filling, usually dipped in sweet and sour or sweet chili sauce. Its handheld format and broad appeal across ages make it a consistent party favorite.
