Lifestyle
Step Into the Warmth and Revel in the Spirit of Paskong Pinoy at SM MOA
Posted by SM Supermalls on November 29, 2024
Lifestyle
Posted by SM Supermalls on November 29, 2024
Christmas in the Philippines is like no other. With the longest holiday season in the world, we even have Mariah Carey’s unofficial blessing to play “All I Want for Christmas Is You” earlier than anyone else. Paskong Pinoy is truly unique, and it’s that magic and warmth that the SM Mall of Asia captures so beautifully.
From the moment you step into SM Mall of Asia, the festive Filipino spirit envelops you. Twinkling lights and stunning installations invite you to reminisce about cherished traditions while creating new memories with loved ones.
Around the mall, you’ll spot Santa Claus with his ice cream cart serving scoops of classic sorbetes or strumming a guitar, ready to serenade with carols. Iconic Filipino symbols like lechon, parols, and Belen are everywhere, celebrating the essence of a true Paskong Pinoy.
What’s a Paskong Pinoy without amazing food? The Christmas season is the one time of year when calories simply don’t count. It’s all about gathering with good friends and reuniting with family over indulgent feasts. While there’s a world of cuisines to choose from, nothing beats the comfort of Filipino food. There’s something about it that feels like a warm hug, as if to say: You’ve made it through the year—let’s celebrate!
Here at SM Mall of Asia, you can fully immerse yourself in the magic of Paskong Pinoy. From sparkling holiday décor to a lineup of comforting Filipino restaurants, we’ve rounded up some of the best spots at MOA to make your holiday feast unforgettable.
Abé
Level 2, South Entertainment Mall
Indulge in Abé’s signature dishes such as the Sinigang sa Ube and Chicken Supreme.
The holidays are just around the corner, and your December calendar is likely filling up fast with gatherings of friends and loved ones. When it comes to celebrating in style, there’s no better spot than Abé. Named after the Kapampangan word for “friend” or “companion,” this beloved restaurant has been bringing people together for nearly two decades with its exceptional take on Filipino cuisine, especially Kapampangan specialties.
Kick off your feast at Abé with the iconic Burong Mangga—tangy pickled green mango slices fermented to perfection in true Pampanga tradition. For something truly unique, try their Sinigang sa Ube, a signature dish featuring tender pork and fresh vegetables simmered in a rich, velvety purple yam broth. It’s a delightful twist on the classic sinigang that’s both refreshing and comforting.
Vegetable lovers will appreciate their Dinengdeng, a hearty mix of tropical veggies and shrimp in a sweet potato stock enriched with fermented anchovies—full of flavor but light on guilt. And, of course, no meal at Abé is complete without their Chicken Supreme, a holiday centerpiece stuffed with chorizo, sticky rice, chestnuts, and raisins. It’s a dish so festive and flavorful it’s sure to become a Christmas tradition for years to come.
This season, make Abé the backdrop for your most memorable celebrations.
Rico’s Lechon
Level 1, Entertainment Mall
Bundle 3 is super sulit with its inclusion of half a kilo of regular lechon and pancit canton too!
Christmas celebrations instantly feel more festive when there’s lechon on the table. While we may be miles away from Cebu, the Queen City of the South and home of the country’s finest lechon, you don’t need to travel far to indulge. Thanks to Rico’s Lechon, one of Cebu’s best-loved brands, your holiday feast at MOA can be just as special.
For nearly three decades, Rico’s Lechon has been a standout with its tender, flavorful meat and perfectly crispy skin, seasoned with their signature blend that sets it apart from the rest. Having a branch right here at MOA means you’re just a short trip away from authentic Cebuano lechon goodness.
Beyond their iconic lechon, Rico’s also offers an extensive menu of à la carte dishes and bundles perfect for sharing. A standout is Bundle 3, an amazing deal for 4 to 5 people. It includes half a kilo of their regular Lechon, Sinigang sa Palayok (with tanigue or salmon head, depending on availability), Pancit Canton, a platter of fragrant Pandan Rice, and a pitcher of their House-Blended Iced Tea. It’s a sulit feast that promises both flavor and value, making this year’s holiday gatherings truly unforgettable.
Lechoneria Lechon Belly and Filipino Favorites
Level 2, Entertainment Mall
Get Lechoneria’s Lechon Belly in either Tanglad Espesyal or Garlic Labuyo flavors,
as well as a wide variety of other well-loved Filipino dishes.
If you’re on the hunt for a fresh take on lechon, look no further than Lechoneria Lechon Belly and Filipino Favorites. Specializing in succulent Lechon Belly, they serve it in sizes ranging from small portions to a show-stopping 4-kilo slab. Choose between their signature Tanglad Espesyal flavor for a fragrant, classic taste or Garlic Labuyo for a spicy kick. Whether you’re indulging solo or bringing the star dish to a family reunion, their lechon belly is guaranteed to impress.
But Lechoneria doesn’t stop there. Their Lechon Sisig is a must-try, boasting a smoky, crunchy, and indulgently fatty profile that elevates the classic dish. For something truly unique, the Lechon Belly Kilawin is a bold twist on the traditional Filipino favorite, replacing the usual fish with their signature lechon belly.
Their creativity doesn’t end with sisig and kilawin. The menu also features sinfully delicious takes on Filipino staples like Lechon Belly Bicol Express, Paksiw, and even Monggo. Each dish is a celebration of lechon belly at its best, offering bold, innovative flavors that will make this Christmas gathering truly one of a kind.
Mojito Bay Bar Cafe Adriatico
Level 2, Entertainment Mall
Chicken ala Kiev is one of the dishes that made Cafe Adriatico famous, and so is their Knockout Knuckles.
A beloved name in Filipino dining, Cafe Adriatico—or Mojito Bay Bar Cafe Adriatico, as it is called in MOA—has been serving up hearty Filipino comfort food for 45 years! What began as a humble spot in Remedios Circle in Manila, has grown into a culinary institution that is said to have paved the way for bistro culture here in the Philippines.
For a festive Christmas feast, start with Cafe Adriatico’s crowd-favorite tapas and pica-picas. Their Gambas al Ajillo is a handaan essential, while the perfectly golden and crispy Crunchy Calamari is another must-have to whet your appetite.
When it’s time for the main event, Cafe Adriatico’s all-time classics take center stage. Their Chicken ala Kiev—classic and creamy—is a signature dish that keeps diners coming back. Pair it with the savory Pancit Palabok and the ever-crispy, ever-tempting Knockout Knuckles, and you’ve got the ultimate trio that makes every visit unforgettable. A visit to Cafe Adriatico is never complete without ordering their Kesong Puti with Pan de Sal and Chocolaté Eh! It’s simply a Cafe Adriatico original that you shouldn’t miss out on.
With its comforting flavors and timeless dishes,Cafe Adriatico is the perfect setting for your holiday celebrations that even your balikbayan friends and family will surely look forward to having.
XO46 Heritage Bistro
Level 2, S Maison at Conrad Manila
XO46 Heritage Bistro has a lot of mouth watering dishes for you to choose from, but Humba ng Tacloban
and Bangus Salpicao are two dishes you shouldn’t miss out on.
At XO46 Heritage Bistro, you’re not just dining—you’re stepping into a slice of Filipino history. The restaurant’s ambiance transports you to a time when Barong Tagalog and Baro’t Saya were the height of fashion, offering a nostalgic glimpse of the Philippines’ rich heritage. XO46 doesn’t just celebrate Filipino culture through its décor but also through its exceptional cuisine.
The star of the show is undoubtedly the food, which showcases beloved dishes from across the archipelago. Their Humba ng Tacloban strikes the perfect balance of sweet and savory, featuring plump, tender pork belly that practically melts in your mouth. For a contemporary twist, their Bangus Salpicao swaps beef for milkfish, resulting in a lighter yet equally flavorful dish. Perfect as an appetizer, paired with rice, or even as bar chow, its versatility makes it a standout.
With a menu brimming with soups, vegetables, meats, seafood, rice, and noodles, XO46 Heritage Bistro offers a feast fit for the holidays. Celebrate the season with your loved ones in a place where history, culture, and cuisine come beautifully together.
Bo’s Coffee
Level 1, Entertainment Mall
Bo’s Coffee’s Chocnut-based drinks are sure to evoke happy memories,
which also pairs well with a slice of their Bibingka Cheesecake.
This Christmas, elevate your coffee moments with Bo’s Coffee, a homegrown brand that proudly serves world-class Philippine coffee sourced from local farmers in Sagada, Benguet, Bukidnon, and Davao.
Founded in Cebu in 1996, Bo’s Coffee shines a spotlight on Filipino coffee culture while delivering the warmth of renowned Filipino hospitality in its many branches nationwide. This holiday season, they’re celebrating with Paskong Pinoy Beverages, each sip capturing the nostalgic Christmas spirit we all know and love.
For Chocnut lovers, there’s the Chocnut Mocha Froccino and Chocnut Latte, coffee-based drinks infused with that beloved peanut-chocolate bar from our childhood. Prefer something without espresso? The Chocnut Freeze delivers the same nutty sweetness, sans the caffeine. Rounding out the festive lineup are the indulgent Dark Mocha Macadamia Froccino and the spiced Cinnamon Mocha Froccino—perfect for adding a cozy holiday vibe to your day.
Pair these drinks with their Paskong Pinoy Cakes & Pastries, crafted to complement the season. Must-tries include the Puto Bumbong Cheesecake and Bibingka Cheesecake—delightful twists on classic Filipino holiday treats. With Bo’s Coffee, your holiday coffee fix is as festive as it gets!
BBK Bibingka and Coffee
location
Classic bibingka takes center stage at BBK, and is available all year round!
Matcha lovers will also love their Matcha drinks, including the Matcha Latte.
It’s officially Christmas in the Philippines when bibingka carts start popping up everywhere. Once upon a time, we had to wait all year just to savor this pillowy-soft, buttery, and smoky rice cake. But thanks to Bibingkinitan—now rebranded as BBK Bibingka and Coffee—we can enjoy this iconic treat year-round. Still, there’s something undeniably special about biting into it during the holiday season.
While BBK may have a fresh new look, their bibingka remains the same classic indulgence we’ve always loved. The OG BBK Bibingka is pure nostalgia in every bite, evoking warm and fuzzy memories of Christmases past. For a cheesier twist, try the CheeseMax Bibingka or the indulgent Parmesan Cream Bibingka. Ube lovers, meanwhile, will adore the Ube Keso Bibingka, a delicious fusion of sweet and savory flavors.
To complete the experience, BBK now offers a variety of hot and cold drinks to pair with your bibingka. Whether it’s the rich BBK Special Tsokolate de Batirol, a bold Americano, an indulgent Iced Matcha Latte, or the refreshing Peach Mango Iced Jasmine Green Tea, there’s something for every palate.
For an OG Paskong Pinoy vibe and a sweet holiday treat, BBK is the perfect stop this season.
But wait—here’s a fun experience to make your holidays even brighter! After enjoying a holiday feast with your loved ones, why not take a selfie or a groufie with the gang and keep the memory alive? You might even win exciting prizes too!
Join our photo contest today by simply snapping a photo at any Paskong Pinoy spot, and post it on Instagram or Facebook together with a caption about your experience and what Christmas at MOA means to you. Make sure that your account is public, tag @themallofasiaofficial, and use #PaskongPinoyAtMOA in your posts!
Winners will be announced on December 6 and 20—just in time for Christmas!
It’s really the most wonderful time of the year, and there’s simply no Christmas like a Paskong Pinoy, especially here at the SM Mall of Asia.
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