A guide to celebrating a Filipino Christmas in Phoenix

As Christmas Eve approaches, Filipino Americans and Filipinos across metro Phoenix are preparing for a treasured tradition: the Noche Buena feast. This memorable dinner brings family and friends together to celebrate with dishes reminiscent of home in the Philippine Islands.

Luckily, there are Filipino restaurants and bakeries in every corner of the Valley, offering delectable options perfect for your festive gathering.

From parols (Filipino lanterns) to Jose Mari Chan’s Christmas songs on YouTube, the season’s spirit shines brightly. We’ve compiled a list of must-try dishes and locations to purchase them to complete your “Maligayang Pasko” celebration before the gifts are handed out.

Wholly Grill

66 S. Dobson Road, Mesa

Located in Mekong Plaza, Wholly Grill offers classic Filipino dishes perfect for the holidays. Start with their pancit, a noodle dish with shrimp and hard-boiled eggs, and move on to their signature pork barbecue skewers. These skewers, marinated for hours and grilled to perfection, pair beautifully with rice for a satisfying meal even Santa Claus would enjoy. Take advantage of their embutido, a meatloaf-like dish with Vienna sausage wrapped in tin foil, a staple in Filipino homes during Christmas. The freshly made sweet turon, deep-fried banana spring rolls, are a bonus as midnight nears.

Nanay’s Filipino Restaurant

2390 N. Alma School Road, #103, Chandler

No Filipino party is complete without lechon, or roasted pig. At Nanay’s, the crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside lechon is a must-have for Noche Buena. Pair it with lumpia, crispy spring rolls packed with ground pork and minced carrots, for a quintessential Filipino spread. Nanay’s serves a delicious Ube Halaya for dessert – a sweet dish of purple yam blended with coconut milk, butter and condensed milk. It’s a dessert that even the Grinch would enjoy.

Backstreet Asia

965 E. Van Buren St., Avondale

Head to Backstreet Asia in Avondale for a warm and hearty Filipino meal. Their chicken or pork adobo, dishes made with soy sauce, secret spices and bay leaves, are perfect with steamed rice for chilly Arizona nights. Another standout in the restaurant, which doubles as a party venue, is kare kare, a peanut-based stew filled with crispy pork, eggplant, green beans and bok choy. This comfort dish will make your wintery celebration even cozier, served over rice and with a smidgen of bagoong alamang (shrimp paste).

The Pork Shop

3359 E. Combs Road, Queen Creek

The Pork Shop, a Queen Creek holiday go-to since 1979, specializes in fresh pork products and is a top option for your Filipino Christmas feast. Noche Buena isn’t complete without hamon, or in the U.S. – glazed ham. The Pork Shop offers some of the best-smoked hams in the Valley and various glaze kits to customize your holiday centerpiece. Top it with circular pineapple slices for a festive Filipino touch. And be sure to call ahead and reserve your ham early, as they sell out quickly during the holiday season.

Whole Foods Market

Multiple locationsQueso de bola might be tricky to find in the Valley, but it’s a must-have for a traditional Noche Buena. Here’s a secret Santa tip: Edam cheese is essentially the same thing under a different name. This savory ball of cheese, encased in bright red wax, features a crumbly texture and nutty flavor that complements any Christmas spread. Grated, it can also add an extra layer of flavor to several dishes on this list. Only some Whole Foods Markets carry the unique item, so it’s a good idea to call ahead.

Jollibee

2800 E. Germann Road, Chandler

For a taste of nostalgia, Jollibee in Chandler serves up Filipino spaghetti called Jolly Spaghetti, a tangy take on the classic kid-friendly dish featuring ground beef, hot dog slices and cheese. Eat it with the Filipino-based chain’s Chickenjoy fried chicken for the ultimate Filipino comfort food experience.

Casa Filipina

3531 W. Thunderbird Road

A family-owned business since 2006, Casa Filipina is your one-stop shop for authentic Filipino desserts and food. The bakers here refer to their pandesal as the “Philipines national dinner rolls,” which are a must-have, especially when packed with the ham and cheese mentioned earlier.

For something more indulgent, the ensaymada will stop Santa in his tracks if you set out these fluffy brioche-like rolls with whipped butter, sugar and cheddar cheese. Then, the bibingkas, a baked rice cake with coconut milk and cheddar cheese, are the endgame for a Filipino Christmas night. Don’t leave these out for Santa, or he’ll stay and forget about the rest of his metro Phoenix deliveries.