15 Noche Buena Food Ideas for Christmas Eve 2023

Noche Buena is a holiday festivity that we Filipinos share with our Latino and Hispanic friends.^[1] Despite a few nuances in how we celebrate this holiday, the theme of togetherness remains a constant across cultures.

Translating to “Good Night,” Noche Buena is a time of the year when close family and friends come together and stay up late to enjoy traditional and holiday-themed food, music, and activities. It’s a festive yet peaceful night that is centered around what to many Filipinos is the most meaningful meal of the year.

While many Filipinos look forward to Noche Buena in 2023 with unsullied excitement, most of us view the holidays with anxious anticipation. With inflation still not letting up, a good number of households will once again be forced to make compromises over their holiday plans.

If you’re wondering how far you can stretch your budget to serve sumptuous Noche Buena food this year, we’ve got you covered. We made a list of Noche Buena food options that will fit your budget. There’s no need to overspend this holiday season—whatever your budget is, there’s a satisfying feast you can share with your loved ones on Christmas Eve.

Note: Prices are based on the Department of Trade and Industry’s suggested retail prices of basic necessities and prime commodities (published in February 2023),^[2] and of Noche Buena products (valid until December 31, 2023).^[3] Actual prices may differ depending on the brand and product variant. Where you choose to shop is also a factor as prices vary across supermarkets, as well as dry and wet markets.

Noche Buena Menus Under ₱1,500

The following budget-friendly menu options are perfect for a simple family feast that costs between ₱800 and ₱1,500.

🍽️ Menu 1 (Total Cost: ₱826.75 to ₱1,154.25)

Lechon manok
Spaghetti aglio e olio
Cheese sticks
Fruit salad

Noche Buena Food List and Cost Breakdown:

One whole chicken (1.5 kg) – ₱292.50 to ₱360
Pasta (900 g to 1 kg) – ₱80.55 to ₱105
Olive oil (250 ml) – ₱148.20 to ₱271.35
Cheese (200 g) – ₱47.15 to ₱79.90
Lumpia wrapper (big, 20 pcs) – ₱55.05 to ₱57.85
Cooking oil (300-500 ml) – ₱34.85 to ₱86.90
Fruit cocktail (836 g) – ₱85.95 to ₱89.50
All-purpose cream (250 ml) – ₱49 to ₱69
Condensed milk (168 ml) – ₱33.50 to ₱34.75

Good for a small family, this menu includes all the Pinoy Noche Buena staples—but with a twist. Instead of the usual Pinoy-style spaghetti, go for the simpler aglio e olio, which is both a cheaper and healthier alternative. You can cook your own lechon manok as opposed to buying a ready-to-eat one. This will save you around ₱80.

You can also customize your pasta dish by adding shredded chicken breast from your grilled chicken. The cheese sticks can be a practical substitute for your traditional queso de bola. For dessert, a traditional fruit salad will more than complete your Noche Buena feast.

🍽️ Menu 2 (Total Cost: ₱736.63 to ₱1,185.06)

Chicken soup
Embutido
Puto
Caesar salad (Filipino style)

Noche Buena Food List and Cost Breakdown:

Elbow macaroni (400-500 g) – ₱39.80 to ₱65.25
Chicken (250 g) – ₱34.25 to ₱78.25
Evaporated milk (370 ml) – ₱28.50 to ₱31.56
Carrots (250 g) – ₱23.63 to ₱78.75
Onion (250 g) – ₱37.50 to ₱57.50
Garlic (250 g) – ₱35 to ₱137.50
Cooking oil (250 ml) – ₱37.40 to ₱39.40
Embutido (250 g) – ₱114.25
Puto (medium, 12-20 pcs) – ₱120 to ₱230
Fresh lettuce (250 g) – ₱67.50 to ₱147.50
Croutons (70-100 g) – ₱45.50 to ₱51.80
Caesar Salad dressing (236 ml) – ₱153.30

This holiday menu combines a hearty soup and salad dish with homemade Pinoy-style meatloaf and traditional steamed rice cakes.

The chicken soup, a comfort food for most people, pairs well with a Filipino-style Caesar salad. You can complement this combo with embutido, which is perfect whether fried or steamed. Puto for dessert just makes this feast all the more delightful.

If you want to add other simple Filipino Noche Buena food items to this menu, you can follow Christmas tipid tips to stretch your budget and serve more meal options.

🍽️ Menu 3 (Total Cost: ₱1,040.03 to ₱1,346.10)

Grilled fish
Vegetable afritada
Lumpiang gulay
Rice
Fresh fruits

Noche Buena Food List and Cost Breakdown:

Bangus (1 kg) – ₱229 to ₱309
Cooking oil (300-500 ml) – ₱34.85 to ₱86.90
Onion (250 g) – ₱37.50 to ₱57.50
Potatoes (500 g) – ₱152.50 to ₱162.50
Carrots (250 g) – ₱23.63 to ₱78.75
Green peas (100 g) – ₱13 to ₱17.95
Tomato sauce (two 250 g packs) – ₱42 to ₱54.5
String beans (250 g) – ₱25 to ₱56.25
Cabbage (250 g) – ₱24.50 to ₱50
Lumpia wrapper big (20 pcs) – ₱55.05 to ₱57.85
Regular / well-milled rice (2 kg) – ₱118 to ₱227.40
Carabao mangoes (1.5 kg) – ₱250 to ₱87.50
Papaya (1 kg) – ₱35 to ₱100

Filipinos are encouraged to avoid salty and fatty foods,and this healthy Noche Buena menu is a good way to get the family to share classic and delicious Filipino dishes together. It’s a balance of vegetables, fish, and fruits everyone can enjoy.

Noche Buena Menus Under ₱2,500

Below is another list of Noche Buena dishes that you can share with your loved ones. Spend no more than ₱2,500 to enjoy these meals.

🍽️ Menu 1 (Total Cost: ₱1,092.03 to ₱1,511.21)

Fried chicken
Pinoy-style spaghetti
Lumpiang shanghai
Leche flan

Noche Buena Food List and Cost Breakdown:

One whole chicken (1.5 kg) – ₱292.50 to ₱360
Cooking oil (900 ml to 1 L) – ₱103.20 to ₱202.50
Pasta (900 g to 1 kg) – ₱80.55 to ₱105
Spaghetti sauce (1 kg) – ₱72 to ₱103
Ground pork (1 kg) – ₱248 to ₱360
Lumpia wrapper big (20 pcs) – ₱55.05 to ₱57.85
Carrots (250 g) – ₱23.63 to ₱78.75
Eggs (1 dz) – ₱133.35 to ₱149.50
Condensed milk (168 ml) – ₱33.50 to ₱34.75
Evaporated milk (370 ml) – ₱28.50 to ₱31.56
Sugar (250 g) – ₱21.75 to ₱28.30

Who celebrates special occasions without fried chicken? Aside from being easy to prepare, fried chicken is also a crowd favorite. For less than ₱2,000, you can serve this popular dish and even add another party classic: the highly sought-after lumpiang shanghai.

To ease your workload on Christmas Eve, cook the lumpiang shanghai filling beforehand and store it in the chiller. You can do the same for the leche flan, which can be chilled before serving.

If you’re unsure of how to prepare these dishes, look them up online. That way, you can perfectly recreate these classic and affordable Noche Buena recipes for Christmas.

🍽️ Menu 2 (Total Cost: ₱1,078.23 to ₱1,604.35)

Ham
Pandesal with cheese/sandwich spread
Classic macaroni salad
Fresh fruits

Noche Buena Food List and Cost Breakdown:

Fiesta ham / pear-shaped ham / jamon de bola (1 kg) – ₱339 to ₱650
Pandesal (400-500 g) – ₱54.55 to ₱67
Cheese (430 g) – ₱145 to ₱240
Sandwich spread (220 g) – ₱75.15 to ₱131.80
Elbow macaroni (200 g) – ₱23 to ₱45.95
Mayonnaise (470 ml) – ₱130.40 to ₱245.85
Carrots (250 g) – ₱23.63 to ₱78.75
Onion (250 g) – ₱37.50 to ₱57.50
Carabao mangoes (1.5 kg) – ₱250 to ₱87.50

Don't have the time or patience to prepare an elaborate Noche Buena feast this Christmas? Then this simple menu is perfect for you. No need to sweat it out in the kitchen—just assemble the ingredients, and you’ll have complete meals ready to serve in a matter of minutes!

This Noche Buena menu could be cheaper if you have free Christmas ham to use, courtesy of your employer. Otherwise, consider more affordable alternatives such as meatloaf or luncheon meat.

Also, make sure to beat impulse buying and choose the more affordable variants of common ingredients. If you’re not too persnickety, the differences between an expensive brand and a cheaper one are often imperceptible. By choosing more cost-effective alternatives, you can save up enough to add another meal to your menu!

🍽️ Menu 3 (Total Cost: ₱1,296.90 to ₱1,827.20)

Grilled pork belly
Grilled chicken
Rice
Buttered corn and carrots
Mango float

Noche Buena Food List and Cost Breakdown:

Pork belly (1 kg) – ₱348.44 to ₱455
One whole chicken (1.5 kg) – ₱292.50 to ₱360
Regular / well-milled rice (2 kg) – ₱118 to ₱227.40
Whole kernel corn (two 425 g cans) – ₱80.80 to ₱118.90
Carrots (250 g) – ₱47.26 to ₱157.5
Carabao mangoes (250 g) – ₱50 to ₱87.50
All-purpose cream (two 250 ml packs) – ₱98 to ₱138
Condensed milk (two 300 ml cans) – ₱82 to ₱103
Graham crackers (two 210 g packs) – ₱85.60
Crushed graham (two 200 g packs) – ₱94.30

Looking for a Noche Buena pork recipe that will impress your family and friends? You can’t go wrong with a classic pork grill party at home on Christmas Eve. You can even throw in a few chicken strips to mix it up a bit.

Feast on grilled meats to your heart's content without worrying about wrecking your holiday budget. A grill and chill party is more than possible with a budget of less than ₱2,000. Just make sure to go for more affordable ingredients!

To make everyone at the dinner table even more delighted, you can add buttered corn and carrots on the side and a refreshing mango float for dessert.

🍽️ Menu 4 (Total Cost: ₱1,457.28 to ₱2,256.25)

Pancit bihon guisado
Crispy pata
Bulalo
Macaroni salad

Noche Buena Food List and Cost Breakdown:

Pancit bihon (1 kg) – ₱79.90 to ₱97
Chorizo (220 g) – ₱140.40
Chicken breast – (500 g) ₱123 to ₱154
Carrots (250 g) – ₱23.63 to ₱78.75
Cabbage (250 g) – ₱24.50 to ₱50
Onion (250 g) – ₱37.50 to ₱57.50
Garlic (250 g) – ₱35 to ₱137.50
Pork pata / leg (1 kg) – ₱235 to ₱379
Cooking oil (900 ml to 1 L) – ₱103.20 to ₱202.50
Beef shanks / beef bulalo (1 kg) – ₱350 to ₱490
Elbow macaroni (400-500 g) – ₱39.80 to ₱65.25
Mayonnaise (470 ml) – ₱130.40 to ₱245.85
All-purpose cream (250 ml) – ₱49 to ₱69
Fruit cocktail (836 g) – ₱85.95 to ₱89.5

This Noche Buena menu is a mix of chicken, pork, and beef served in different styles. Pancit bihon guisado, crispy pata, and beef bulalo are three popular Filipino dishes that are sure to satisfy your Noche Buena cravings. You can add corn and leafy vegetables to your classic bulalo as extenders, but the hot broth and tender meat can already fill and warm you up on a cold Christmas Eve.

🍽️ Menu 5 (Total Cost: ₱1,872.82 to ₱2,497.15)

Rellenong bangus
Chicken afritada
Lechon kawali
Rice
Fruit cocktail float

Noche Buena Food List and Cost Breakdown:

Bangus (1 kg) – ₱229 to ₱309
Lemon (250 g) – ₱86.75 to ₱87.50
Onion (250 g) – ₱37.50 to ₱57.50
Carrots (250 g) – ₱23.63 to ₱78.75
Green peas (200 g) – ₱26 to ₱35.90
Raisins (100 g) – ₱45 to ₱57.05
All-purpose flour (200 g) – ₱19.95 to 36.40
One whole chicken (1.5 kg) – ₱292.50 to ₱360
Potatoes (500 g) – ₱152.50 to ₱162.50
Tomato sauce (two 250 g packs) – ₱42 to ₱54.5
Cooking oil (900 ml to 1 L) – ₱103.20 to ₱202.50
Pork belly (1 kg) – ₱348.44 to ₱455
Regular / well-milled rice (2 kg) – ₱118 to ₱227.40
Fruit cocktail (836 g) – ₱85.95 to ₱89.5
All-purpose cream (250 ml) – ₱49 to ₱69
Condensed milk (168 ml) – ₱33.50 to ₱34.75
Graham crackers (two 210 g packs) – ₱85.60
Crushed graham (two 200 g packs) – ₱94.30

This affordable Noche Buena menu is for families who like to have different meat-based dishes (i.e., chicken, pork, and fish) on Christmas Eve. Your budget won’t exceed ₱2,500 despite the extensive options, especially if you buy cheaper meat products from a wet market instead of a supermarket.

Noche Buena Menus Under ₱4,000

If you have a bigger budget and want more options, here are a few other menu samples for you. We also included a few vegetarian and pescatarian suggestions.

🍽️ Menu 1 (Total Cost: ₱1,778.06 to ₱2,573.52)

Grilled pork liempo
Kare-kare
Buko salad

Noche Buena Food List and Cost Breakdown:

Pork belly (1 kg) – ₱348.44 to ₱455
Soy sauce (200 ml) – ₱10.65 to ₱10.92
Oyster sauce (60 g) – ₱13.40
Fish sauce (150 ml) – ₱11.50
Brown sugar (250 g) – ₱20.45
Lemon (250 g) – ₱86.75 to ₱87.50
Onion (250 g) – ₱37.50 to ₱57.50
Garlic (250 g) – ₱35 to ₱137.50
Vinegar (200 ml) – ₱7.90 to ₱7.95
Ketchup (320 g) – ₱23.25 to ₱44.70
Cooking oil (250 ml) – ₱37.40 to ₱39.40
Regular / well-milled rice (2 kg) – ₱118 to ₱227.40
Oxtripe (250 g) – ₱59.75 to ₱81.25
Banana flower bud (250 g) – ₱20 to ₱144.50
Pechay or bok choy (250 g) – ₱22 to ₱85
String beans (250 g) – ₱25 to ₱56.25
Eggplants (250 g) – ₱32.50 to ₱67
Peanuts (50 g) – ₱15.25 to ₱16.25
Peanut butter (170 g) – ₱85.60 to ₱89.90
Shrimp paste (250 g) – ₱79 to ₱112.45
Annatto seeds (30 g) – ₱11.90 to ₱35.35
Shredded young coconut (454 g) – ₱275
Kaong (340 g) – ₱77.15 to ₱89.35
Nata de coco (340 g) – ₱60 to ₱67.50
Fruit cocktail (432 g) – ₱57.72 to ₱67.50
Pineapple chunks (227 g) – ₱33.95 to ₱34.30
Condensed milk (168 ml) – ₱33.50 to ₱34.75
All-purpose cream (250 ml) – ₱49 to ₱69
Cheese (200 g) – ₱47.15 to ₱79.90
Cream-style corn (425 g) – ₱43.35 to ₱55.05

Filipino Noche Buena food always has rice as a staple. And what goes best with hot, steamed rice?

A lot of options, for sure, but kare-kare and grilled pork liempo are surely somewhere at the top of that list. You can serve those two dishes for Noche Buena without spending more than ₱3,000.

Add buko salad for a refreshing dessert, and you’re all set!

🍽️ Menu 2 (Total Cost: ₱2,170.45 to ₱2,884.87)

Filipino-style carbonara
Pork barbecue
Maja blanca
Ice cream

Noche Buena Food List and Cost Breakdown:

Pasta (900 g to 1 kg) – ₱80.55 to ₱105
Bacon (500 g) – ₱232.50 to ₱245.50
Ground beef (250 g) – ₱73.75 to ₱133.75
Butter (200 g) – ₱85.85 to ₱150.50
Button mushrooms (198 g) – ₱24 to ₱46
Beef broth cubes (6 pcs) – ₱33.85
Heavy whipping cream (1 L) – ₱180 to ₱388
Parmesan cheese (350 g) – ₱218.20
Eggs (1 dz) – ₱133.35 to ₱149.50
Onion (250 g) – ₱37.50 to ₱57.50
Garlic (250 g) – ₱35 to ₱137.50
Pork shoulder (500 g) – ₱85.75 to ₱119.50
Soy sauce (200 ml) – ₱10.65 to ₱10.92
Lemon (250 g) – ₱86.75 to ₱87.50
Ketchup (320 g) – ₱23.25 to ₱44.70
Brown sugar (250 g) – ₱20.45
Lemon or lime soda (250-330 ml) – ₱27.25 to 34.10
Coconut milk (400 ml) – ₱55.85 to ₱63.95
Cornstarch (75 g) – ₱13.15
Grated coconut (200 g) – ₱265
Condensed milk (168 ml) – ₱33.50 to ₱34.75
Cream-style corn (425 g) – ₱43.35 to ₱55.05
Fresh milk (1 L) – ₱91.80 to ₱117.25
Ice cream (1.5 L) – ₱279.15 to ₱353.25

If you’re a big fan of white-sauce pasta, then this menu is for you. Add bacon bits, ground beef, mushrooms, and lots of cheese to make your carbonara richer and all the more special. Don’t hesitate to go all out, especially if you have the budget for it.

Prepare pork barbecue on the side to add more protein and flavor to your meal. And for your Noche Buena dessert, how about a classic maja blanca and ice cream?

🍽️ Menu 3 (Total Cost: ₱2,641 to ₱3,286.72)

Baked tilapia parmesan
Tofu barbecue
Fruitcake

Noche Buena Food List and Cost Breakdown:

Tilapia fillet (1 kg) – ₱464
Parmesan cheese (350 g) – ₱218.20
Butter (200 g) – ₱85.85 to ₱150.50
Mayonnaise (470 ml) – ₱130.40 to ₱245.85
Calamansi juice (750 ml) – ₱270
Onion (250 g) – ₱37.50 to ₱57.50
Garlic (250 g) – ₱35 to ₱137.50
Fresh parsley (50 g) – ₱31.30 to ₱44.95
Tofu (500-550 g) – ₱68 to ₱109.50
Soy sauce (200 ml) – ₱10.65 to ₱10.92
Oyster sauce (60 g) – ₱13.40
Ketchup (320 g) – ₱23.25 to ₱44.70
Chili powder (30 g) – ₱19.45 to ₱79.80
All-purpose flour (200 g) – ₱19.95 to 36.40
Baking soda (250 g) – ₱33 to ₱37
Ground cinnamon (50 g) – ₱38.65
Ginger (250 g) – ₱20 to ₱69.75
Vanilla extract (20 ml) – ₱43.15 to ₱49.25
Brown sugar (250 g) – ₱20.45
Applesauce (425 g) – ₱149
Pineapple (1 pc) – ₱65.65 to ₱176.75
Orange (250 g) – ₱24.50 to ₱87.50
Cooking oil (250 ml) – ₱37.40 to ₱39.40
Molasses (600 g) – ₱290
Walnuts (100 g) – ₱199
Raisins (100 g) – ₱52.50 to ₱55.75
Cashew (100 g) – ₱191

Need more Noche Buena food ideas? Here’s another one for you: a pescatarian meal consisting of baked tilapia parmesan, tofu barbecue, and fruitcake. It’s a filling meal to share with your loved ones on Christmas Eve.

Noche Buena Menus Under ₱6,000

Planning to go all out—within reason, of course—during the holiday festivities? Here are some Noche Buena food ideas under ₱6,000.

🍽️ Menu 1 (Total Cost: ₱1,907.55 to ₱4,145.75)

Samgyupsal
Grilled shrimp
Fresh fruits

Noche Buena Food List and Cost Breakdown:

Pork samgyupsal (500 g), not marinated – ₱234.50 to ₱364
Beef samgyupsal (500 g), not marinated – ₱221.30 to ₱372
Bulgogi sauce marinade (500 g) – ₱152 to ₱273
Samjang Korean Paste (170 g) – ₱67 to ₱109.5
Tater tots (500 g) – ₱183 to ₱206
Romaine lettuce (500 g) – ₱72.50 to ₱132.50
Enoki mushroom (200 g) – ₱72 to ₱120
Shrimp (1 kg) – ₱619 to ₱1,699
Banana (1 kg) – ₱70 to ₱135
Apples (750 g) – ₱153.75 to ₱660
Kiat kiat (250 g) – ₱62.50 to ₱74.75

Samgyupsal is a good Noche Buena idea, especially if you prefer grilling indoors. There’s no need to go out to a samgyupsal restaurant because you can perfectly enjoy this popular Korean dish at home. All you need for this Noche Buena menu is a griller and prepped samgyupsal ingredients.

You can buy marinated samgyupsal meat at any grocery store or online marketplace. For more savings, you can buy unseasoned meat and marinate it in bulgogi sauce.

🍽️ Menu 2 (Total Cost: ₱3,097 to ₱4,394.15)

Pasta arrabiata
Vellychon
Spinach artichoke dip
Apple pie

Noche Buena Food List and Cost Breakdown:

Penne rigati (500 g) – ₱60.50 to ₱99
Olive oil (250 ml) – ₱148.20 to ₱271.35
Garlic (250 g) – ₱35 to ₱137.50
Dried chili flakes (30 g) – ₱26.50
Tomatoes (250 g) – ₱18.75 to ₱91.25
Fresh parsley (250 g) – ₱156.50 to ₱224.75
Vellychon (1 order) – ₱595 to ₱695
Tortilla chips (190-500 g) – ₱169 to ₱220
Spinach leaves (250 g) – ₱68.75 to ₱124.75
Canned artichoke hearts (390-400 g) – ₱219 to ₱346
All-purpose flour (200 g) – ₱19.95 to ₱36.40
Fresh milk (1 L) – ₱91.80 to ₱117.25
Parmesan cheese (350 g) – ₱218.20
Pastry dough (1 kg) – ₱760
Butter (200 g) – ₱85.85 to ₱150.50
Sugar (250 g) – ₱21.75 to ₱28.30
Brown sugar (250 g) – ₱20.45
Apples (750 g) – ₱153.75 to ₱660
Ground cinnamon (50 g) – ₱35.10 to ₱38.65
Nutmeg (37g) – ₱128.30

The traditional Noche Buena Filipino Christmas food typically has limited options for vegetarians—but not this one. This menu features vegetarian options for your relatives, friends, and guests who are on a special diet.

🍽️ Menu 3 (Total Cost: ₱2,924.24 to ₱4,623.75)

Paella
Crispy lechon belly
Chicken cordon bleu
Fresh lumpia
Crema de fruita

Noche Buena Food List and Cost Breakdown:

Pork belly (1 kg) – ₱348.44 to ₱455
Onion (250 g) – ₱37.50 to ₱57.50
Garlic (250 g) – ₱35 to ₱137.50
Lemongrass (100 g) – ₱16.70
Chicken breast – (500 g) ₱123 to ₱154
Breadcrumbs (230 g) – ₱35.50 to ₱43.70
Fiesta ham / pear-shaped ham / jamon de bola (1 kg) – ₱339 to ₱650
Eggs (1 dz) – ₱133.35 to ₱149.50
Butter (200 g) – ₱85.85 to ₱150.50
Paprika (30-34 g) – ₱28.25 to ₱70.70
Cheddar cheese (160 g) – ₱100
Regular / well-milled rice (2 kg) – ₱118 to ₱227.40
Olive oil (250 ml) – ₱148.20 to ₱271.35
Chorizo (220 g) – ₱140.40
Tomato sauce (250 g) – ₱21 to ₱27.25
Saffron (1g) – ₱400 to ₱450
Shrimp (250 g) – ₱154.75 to ₱424.75
Cornstarch (75 g) – ₱13.15
Sugar (250 g) – ₱21.75 to ₱28.30
Ground pork (500 g) – ₱124 to ₱180
String beans (250 g) – ₱25 to ₱56.25
Sweet potato (500 g) – ₱47.50
Carrots (250 g) – ₱23.63 to ₱78.75
Tofu (500-550 g) – ₱68 to ₱109.50
Cabbage (250 g) – ₱24.50 to ₱50
Fresh lettuce (250 g) – ₱67.50 to ₱147.50
Peanuts (50 g) – ₱15.25 to ₱16.25
Cake flour (400 g) – ₱58 to ₱75
Vanilla extract (20 ml) – ₱43.15 to ₱52.50
Evaporated milk (140 ml) – ₱19.20 to ₱38.20
All-purpose flour (200 g) – ₱19.95 to 36.40
Fruit cocktail (432 g) – ₱57.72 to ₱67.50
Gelatin/gulaman (50 g) – ₱31 to ₱100.70

Want to spice up your food for Noche Buena this 2023? How about a paella dish with crispy lechon belly and cordon bleu? Sounds good enough?

Add fresh lumpia on the side, and cap off your Christmas dining experience with a delectable crema de fruta!

🍽️ Menu 4 (Total Cost: ₱4,582.10 to 5,898.57)

Fettuccine alfredo with mushrooms
Pineapple-glazed tofu ham
Vegetarian bean tacos
Chocolate-covered strawberries

Noche Buena Food List and Cost Breakdown:

Olive oil (250 ml) – ₱148.20 to ₱271.35
Butter (200 g) – ₱85.85 to ₱150.50
Portobello mushrooms (500 g) – ₱172.50 to ₱555
Button mushrooms (198 g) – ₱24 to ₱46
Shiitake mushrooms (284 g) – ₱49
Heavy whipping cream (1 L) – ₱180 to ₱388
Rosemary (11 g) – ₱54.55
White truffle oil (250 ml) – ₱691
Fettuccine (500 g) – ₱82.65
Parmesan cheese (350 g) – ₱218.20
Fresh parsley (50 g) – ₱31.30 to ₱44.95
Tofu (500-550 g) – ₱68 to ₱109.50
Pineapple slices (822 g) – ₱106.60
Soy sauce (200 ml) – ₱10.65 to ₱10.92
Maple syrup (355 ml) – ₱113.70
Cooking oil (250 ml) – ₱37.40 to ₱39.40
Brown sugar (250 g) – ₱20.45
Ginger (250 g) – ₱20 to ₱69.75
Orange marmalade (320 g) – ₱116.75
Pineapple juice (1 L) – ₱78.50 to ₱119.90
Jalapeno pepper (9 oz) – ₱209.50
Onion (250 g) – ₱37.50 to ₱57.50
Garlic (250 g) – ₱35 to ₱137.50
Chili powder (30 g) – ₱19.45 to ₱72.50
Ground cumin (30 g) – ₱65.40
Ground coriander (45 g) – ₱220
Black beans (180 g) – ₱26.40 to ₱34.70
Tomatoes (250 g) – ₱18.75 to ₱91.25
Tortillas (300 g) – ₱104.55
Fresh lettuce (250 g) – ₱67.50 to ₱147.50
Cheddar cheese (160 g) – ₱100
Avocado (500 g) – ₱194 to ₱275
Strawberries (250 g) – ₱875
Chocolate (175 oz) – ₱250

Christmas is one of those holidays that inevitably bring together families and friends. You can imagine how big that gathering can get—and in that collection of people, there is bound to be someone who’s on a special diet.

This menu for Noche Buena is vegetarian-friendly, so you don’t need to worry about excluding anyone from the dinner table. The fettuccine alfredo, pineapple-glazed tofu ham, vegetarian bean tacos, and chocolate-covered strawberries are all meals everyone can enjoy!

Final Thoughts

Inflation is still a reality that all of us have to deal with this holiday season—and, most likely, beyond. For many, the only option is to be more conscious of setting a budget for realistic Noche Buena food options and sticking to it religiously.

There’s a lot you can do with a few thousand bucks. The list is leaner than before, no doubt—but you can still prepare hearty meals for your loved ones if you budget your money correctly. Don’t let inflation deflate your spirit this holiday season. Remember—Noche Buena is not about the food but the people you share it with.

Picked out your menu and ready to go grocery shopping? Don't forget to bring a credit card with you for rewards, rebates, and other perks. Compare some of your best options below and apply through Moneymax:

Credit Card	Grocery-Related Benefits
UnionBank Rewards Credit Card	Grocery rewards earn rate: 1 point per ₱30 spend
UnionBank Cash Back Visa Platinum	Grocery cashback rate: Up to 6%
Metrobank Titanium Mastercard^®	Grocery rewards earn rate: 2x points on online spend / 1 point per ₱20 spend on all other categories
HSBC Red Mastercard	Grocery rewards earn rate: 4x points per ₱20 online spend / 1 point per ₱20 spend
BPI Amore Cashback Card	Grocery cashback rate: 4%
Security Bank Complete Cashback Platinum Mastercard	Grocery cashback rate: 5%
RCBC Landmark Anson's	Grocery cashback rate: 3% at Landmark Supermarket
Robinsons Cashback Mastercard	Grocery cashback rate: Up to 3% at Robinsons Supermarket; up to 1% at other supermarkets