When people think about a Pinoy potluck, whether you’re based in PH or abroad, the first thing that comes to mind is probably bringing an entire tray of lumpiang shanghai. While we at KUBO love this crispy party favorite, there’s so much more to Filipino cuisine that you can share at parties than deliciously wrapped minced meat. It may be a staple, but there are lots of other very Pinoy items to bring that are sure to be a hit.
If you’re visiting PH and have no idea what to bring to a potluck gathering you’re invited to, we listed options below to fit various groups, occasions, and budgets. If a kababayan invited you to a potluck event for family and friends abroad, get ideas here for what to bring that will remind you all of Christmases and clan reunions at your lola’s old house—from traditionally-made hamon to different versions of kakanin.
1. Cerdo Hamonado
Where to buy: O’ini Authentic Kapampangan Restaurant
Price: P1,499 (good for 8 to 10 people)
Photo courtesy of O’ini Authentic Kapampangan Cuisine Facebook page
Glazed ham cooked with pineapples and spices is always the star of the show during holiday parties. While it can be just as easy to get them from the supermarket, you can always take it a step further by bringing something that’s only made when ordered.
O’ini’s Cerdo Hamonado features pork loin made tender by brining it for 24 hours prior to cooking it with the restaurant’s well-kept secret herbs and spices. Pour on the glaze and add pineapple tidbits on the side before serving.
Get your Cerdo Hamonado through O’ini’s online ordering platform UTAK, by calling (+63917) 703-7307 or (+632) 7005-0052, or by simply dropping them a message on Facebook or Instagram. Remember to give the staff two days to prepare your order.
2. Pancit Malabon
Where to buy: Lola Idang’s Pancit Malabon
Price: P1,050 (good for 10 to 12 people)
What’s a Filipino celebration without pancit? Lola Idang’s has been a long established name in Pinoy food, and they’re best known for their flavorful Pancit Malabon. Made fresh daily, it’s rich with toppings of boiled pork, crushed chicharon (fried pork rind), smoked fish flakes, shrimp, squid, eggs, and scallions. This will definitely make you go back for seconds!
You can order your bilao in their restaurant at #56 Visayas Ave. Brgy. Vasra Bai Compound, Quezon City, or message them via Facebook and inquire about curbside pickups.
3. Chicken Lollipops
Where to buy: Amber Golden Chain of Restaurants
Price: P828 for 18 pieces (good for 8 to 10 people)
Here’s something that kids will love. Chicken lollipops are a must-have on your table as it’s delicious and easy to eat. While Amber is known for their Filipino-style spaghetti and pichi-pichi, they also serve a mean platter of chicken lollipops perfect for any potluck event. Serve them with banana ketchup and sweet chili sauce, or go all out and experiment with different dips.
To order, you can use the AMBERFood App available for both Android and iOS devices, or call (+63908) 884-8888.
Tip: If you want the whole Amber’s experience, you can also enjoy their Sik-Sik Sarap Bundle for P1,840, which is good for five people. It already has servings of Pancit Malabon/Filipino-style spaghetti (pick one), pork barbecue, chicken lollipop, lumpiang shanghai, and pichi-pichi cheese.
4. Gambas y Champiñon al Ajillo
Where to buy: Conti’s
Price: P1,495 for party size (good for 12 to 15 people)
Gambas y champiñon al ajillo (shrimp with mushrooms in olive oil) is great for titos and titas who enjoy good beer, pulutan (bar chow), and conversation before the main meal. It’s delicious when paired with hot pan de sal, as it is a wipe-your-plate-with-bread kind of dish that still leaves a bit of stomach space for other things on the menu.
You can order your gambas from Conti’s via their website. You can also call them at (+632) 8580-8888 for inquiries.
5. Butter Garlic Crabs
Where to buy: The Holy Crab
Price: P1,549 (regular flavor, male crabs; additional P300/kilo for female crabs)
Good for 4 to 5 people (1 kilo)
Enjoy eating with your hands with this sumptuous serving of in-shell crabs. The Holy Crab offers platters of crustaceans for all occasions. While we recommend crabs in good ol’ butter and garlic, you can opt to have them steamed or cajun-flavored. They also have premium flavors such as salted egg, coco curry, and black pepper, but the price per kilo goes up to P1,749.
For orders, message them on Facebook or send an email to [email protected].
Tip: The Holy Crab also offers beef kare-kare for P1,999 (party size, 900 grams).
6. Crispy Pata
Where to buy: Livestock Restaurant and Bar
Price: P1,150 for classic (good for 3 to 4 people)
If you think lechon is too much, go with crispy pata as an alternative. Livestock Restaurant and Bar is famous for their version of this classic pork dish—the meat is super tender and the skin is ultra crispy that you only need a popsicle stick to cut through it! We recommend getting at least two (or three) orders as this will be a definite hit.
Order your crispy pata from Livestock Restaurant and Bar at 34 Sgt. Esguerra Ave. Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City. You can also call (+632) 8812-6317 or drop a message on their Facebook page.
7. Vegan Barbecue
Where to buy: Cosmic Vegan Cafe and Bistro
Price: P900 for a dozen sticks (good for 6-12 people)
Inihaw (grilled) meat such as pork barbecue is a staple in Filipino celebrations, and so many stores around the country sell their own delicious versions, including Amber’s mentioned above. If you have vegan loved ones and party attendees, they would definitely enjoy a plant-based alternative version to this dish. Cosmic’s barbecue has the familiar sweet-tangy sauce that everyone enjoys, and it’s pretty light on the tummy, too!
Order your tray by messaging them on Facebook or calling them at (+63915) 365-8758.
Tip: Cosmic has other delectable vegan Filipino dishes. We highly recommend their kare-kare with bagnet—and yes, even the bagoong is vegan! Check out their party trays here.
8. Buko Pandan
Where to buy: Nathaniel’s Bakeshop (available at their branches and in supermarkets)
Price: P1,209.95 for one gallon at Lander’s (good for 12 to 15 people)
No time to make your own fruit salad? Get a gallon of Nathaniel’s buko pandan. Strips of coconut meat and chunks of pandan-flavored gelatin are mixed together in heavy cream and sugar for that delectable dessert you’ve loved since childhood. Pints, half-gallons, and gallons are available at Lander’s, S&R, and other supermarkets, but you can also visit or call any of their branches here.
Tip: Nathaniel’s Bakeshop also serves a lot of Pinoy desserts such as puto and even cakes such as sans rival. For preorders, call the branch nearest you.
9. Kakanin
Where to buy: Aling Kika’s Food Products
Price: From P480 (big bilao, 16 inches, 60 slices—price may change depending on the variety you choose)
Good for 30 people (2 slices each)
Aling Kika’s is Cainta, Rizal’s famous kakanin store, which has served the municipality for decades. Try Cainta’s version of bibingka, which is more like the Tagalog biko than the traditional cake-like version, made from coconut milk, galapong (fermented sticky rice), and sugar.
Aling Kika’s is also popular for their delicious sapin-sapin and kalamay. To sample everything, get their big bilao, which gives you the option to choose among four kakanin varieties: bibingka, kalamay, kutsinta, and sapin-sapin.
Preorder by calling their store at (+632) 8655-0029. You’ll need to give them one day to prepare your order. Pick up your kakanin (or have it picked up via local delivery apps like Grab or Lalamove) from their main branch at 102 Bonifacio Ave., Santo Domingo, Cainta from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
10. Taho
Where to buy: Giant Taho
Price: P2,699
Enjoy a warm, “welcome home” vibe with a hefty serving of freshly-made taho. This combination of tofu pudding, arnibal (heavy sugar syrup), and sago (pearls) is always a delight, whether it’s served hot or cold.
Giant Taho offers you the full experience at your potluck with “Kuya Taho,” a mini version of the traditional aluminum taho buckets. These contain 2,500ml of soy pudding and come complete with your arnibal, sago, and mini scoopers. Not only do these make for an interesting statement on the buffet table, but kids and adults alike will also enjoy getting servings of taho the traditional way.
Preorder your Kuya Taho package by messaging Giant Taho on Facebook.
