Filipino Spaghetti from Shameless Buns | Magkasama Christmas Market 2021

There are three things you should know about Filipino households.

1. All Filipino households have a rice cooker. When my younger sister moved out, my housewarming gift was a rice cooker and rice. 🤣
2. All Filipino households have their own variation of the adobo. The only thing consistent with an adobo recipe is it has chicken and/or pork, soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic, and whatever version you have at home is the best. Well, at least, that's how my siblings and I think with our dad's adobo. 💓
3. The same can be said about Filipino-style spaghetti. It's sweet and savoury with cut-up hotdogs, and any Italian will get upset with our culture's rendition of the spaghetti. Every household has its own version of their mom's (or grandma's) spaghetti, and we think our mom's spaghetti is the best. 🍝

All this introduction just to introduce the Filipino Spaghetti from Shameless Buns. Of course, I'll be biased and think that my mom's spaghetti is still the best. However, enjoying the Filipino Spaghetti from Shameless Buns is like that scene in Ratatouille when Anton Ego (food critic) was transported back to his childhood.

Filipino Spaghetti from Shameless Buns

I felt that way. It's like eating the spaghetti served by our neighbour during a children's party (the child in my memory is that kid I played with all the time outside our home before I became a tween). It was delicious and nostalgic. While devouring the pasta (with perfect noodle-sauce ratio), I could hear the laughter and visualize the balloons and party hats in my head. Then, of course, there's also pabitin and my mom's panic voice that I should wipe my face covered in spaghetti sauce. 

Reheated the Shameless Spaghetti on the pan. This is half of the container.

I hope all food can make you feel like this. The only thing missing is a piece of Tasty (it's what we called a sliced loaf bread when I was a child because it's a famous brand we were familiar with where we lived).

I will absolutely rebuy this, and if Shameless Buns can make a combo with toasted pandesal (and butter) on the side, that'll be genuinely nostalgic. The thought is making me smile ear-to-ear already.

All-Cheese Ensaimada Box and Sweet & Savory Sampler Ensaimada Box from Ensaimada Moment | Magkasama Christmas Market 2021

I have a confession to make. I am not a fan of ensaimada, in general. I remember growing up; I just find it too sweet. So if I am in front of a bakery with lots of Filipino bread options, there are two bread I won't order (sorry, bread!) ensaimada and pan de coco.

With this premise, you might be thinking about why I ordered 8 ensaimada during Magkasama Christmas Market this year. Well, the description said there are savoury ensaimada and cheese ensaimada - who says no to cheese?

I am hoping Ensaimada Moment can change my general aversion to ensaimada.

Let's get started. We had all 8 ensaimada for breakfast today. 

All-Cheese Ensaimada Box from Ensaimada Moment

I reheated the All-Cheese Ensaimada Box for 30 seconds in the microwave, which melted some cheese on top.

All-Cheese Ensaimada from Ensaimada Moments

Because all the ensaimada looks the same, I couldn't identify which flavour is which (update: I found a flavor guide in Instagram, so I'll do my best to properly caption each ensaimada), but this is the first one I tried, and it's what I think is the Classic Ensaimada. It's the sweet one that made me dislike ensaimada, to begin with, but it's as good as it can go.

I am sure ensaimada lovers will absolutely go crazy with how delicious the ensaimada was.

The one above is the second one I tried. It's not as sweet as the first, but I am unsure of its flavours since the sweetness was still overpowering my tongue.

This is my favourite from the All-Cheese Ensaimada Box. There's still sweetness, but whatever cheese was used above counterbalances the sweetness with a bit of saltness. I surprisingly enjoyed it.

Salted Egg Ensaimada

The salted egg was shockingly my least favourite of the four. Because ensaimada is generally sweet, the salted egg became overpoweringly salty. I love it in bibingka, but not ensaimada.

Our breakfast would have ended here, but I felt hungry, so we decided to eat the remaining four ensaimada.

Sweet & Savory Sampler Ensaimada Box from Ensaimada Moments

I enjoyed the four ensaimada in this box more than the All-Cheese one, which is surprising. I reheated this one for 20 seconds to avoid the melted mess of the first one.

Sweet & Savoury Sampler Ensaimada Box

Pork Floss Ensaimada

I think this is pork floss, and I absolutely love it. It works well on top of the fluffy pastry.

Ube Halaya Ensaimada

I think this is ube, but I base it on the colour. It's a bit sweet but not overpowering, and I surprisingly enjoyed it.

I thought the ensaimada below and above would be as sweet as the one in the All-Cheese Box, but unexpectedly not. It's possible that the flavours just work better together, and one is not overpowering the other.

Overall, I'll order the Sweet & Savory Sampler Ensaimada Box again.

Assorted Bibingka Box from Bellie Bake | Magkasama Christmas Market 2021

Bibingka is a staple rice cake in the Philippines during Christmas. I remember my mom and I went to Simbang Gabi (literally translates to "Night Mass") at 4:30 in the morning and we would always buy bibingka which we enjoyed at home for breakfast.

Where to get Bibingka in Vancouver?

Finding bibingka in Metro Vancouver is a challenge, but thankfully as part of Magkasama Christmas Market, Bellie Bake made available a box of assorted bibingka.

Assorted Bibingka Box from Bellie Bake

It includes the Classic Salted Egg and Cheese, Ube Macapuno, Coffee Milo Crumble, and Sapin-Sapin (Ube, Coconut, Langka (jackfruit)). We had all four for breakfast this morning. I reheated it in the air fryer (because I don't have an oven toaster) making sure to keep an eye out just in case it burns and they came out amazing.

Classic Salted Egg and Cheese Bibingka

Ube Macapuno

Coffee Milo Crumble

Sapin-Sapin (Ube, Coconut, and Langka)

We started breakfast with the Classic, followed by the Sapin-Sapin, then Ube Macapuno, and the Coffee Milo Crumble last.

I am surprised that the Sapin-Sapin is my favourite. I love the hint of langka and subtle taste of ube. I can't decide if I prefer the Classic or Coffee Milo Crumble more. I enjoyed the bitterness from the coffee on top of the latter, but the salted egg in the former is something I always enjoyed.

My least favourite is the Ube Macapuno. I guess the others are just too flavourful, so Ube Macapuno got left behind.. All of them are as soft as a bibingka should be. Reheating in the air fryer (or oven toaster if you have one) is always a good call.

Assorted Mamon from KayeBakes.ca | Magkasama Christmas Market 2021

Mamon is my favourite Filipino bread. I love how soft, fluffy, and flavourful it usually is. During Magkasama Christmas Market 2021, KayeBakes.ca offers an assorted Mamon pack of six with three different flavours.

Three different Mamon flavours from KayeBakes.ca

Assorted Mamon Box from KayeBakes.ca

YAMmymon
Ube-licious take on a classic Filipino snack! Made with ube chiffon topped with whipped cream and ube cakecrumbs, this sweet and decadent snack will definitely have your taste buds dancing for joy.

The YAMmymon is soft and fluffy the way every excellent Mamon should be. I love how the whipped cream on top gives it that extra oomph.

 

We'll try the Yemamon and Mochanutmon tomorrow and update this post. :) Happy Sunday!

December 6, 2021 Update

We enjoyed the Yemamon and Mochanutmon today as meryenda. But, of course, I am biased and know that I'll love the Mochanutmon. Mocha is my favourite cake flavour, and topping it with nuts is just the perfect contrast in every bite: soft mocha cake and chewy nuts on top.

The Yemamon is not as sweet as one would expect, which is why I liked it as well.

Yemamon
Two favourites in one bite! Mamon is a snack-size light, fluffy chiffon cake, and yema is a custard-like candy, a sweet childhood favourite of every Filipino who is young or young at heart. KayeBakes' version is Mamon with Yema frosting topped with cheese. It's a match made in heaven.

Mochanutmon
It's a pillowy soft, Espresso infused chiffon cake with mocha frosting, topped with roasted nuts and caramel bits.

I can't wait to try more of Ate Kaye's baked goodies. KayeBakes.ca will be at "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!" 2021.

Assorted Pandesal Box from La Meryenda | Magkasama Christmas Market 2021

Pandesal is the most famous bread from the Philippines. Ask any Filipino about pandesal, and they would know precisely the soft bread you're referring to.

For Magkasama Christmas Market 2021, I ordered the Assorted Box from La Meryenda. It included three Cheesy Spamdesal, Cheesy Corned Beef, Ube Cheese Pandesal, and Cheese Bread.

Row 1: Cheese Bread
Row 2: Cheesy Spamdesak
Row 3: Cheesy Corned Beef
Row 4: Ube Cheese Pandesal

Assorted Pandesal Box from La Meryenda

We reheated the pandesal for 30-seconds in the microwave. 

I love the Cheese Bread the most. The spam was cheesier than the corned beef, and somehow the ube tasted saltier than the rest.

We'll reheat it using the air fryer tomorrow to see if it'll be a better way to reheat than a microwave.

December 6, 2021 Update

Reheating in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350 Fahrenheit made all the pandesal oh so delicious. You can change the time depending on your oven toaster. The bonus of using this than a microwave is the house smells like baked pandesal and top is crispy while the inside is soft.

I love the corned and spam pandesal and will gladly order both again for breakfast.

"Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!" 2021 organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver

Event Name: Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!

Where is "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!" 2021?

St. Patrick's Recreation Center at 2881 Main Street, Vancouver BC V5T 3G1

When is "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!" 2021?

December 11, 2021, starting at 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Is it free to attend "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!"?

Yes! Admission is free. Proof of Vaccination is required upon entry at the Recreation Centre.

What to expect?

• Christmas Market
• Christmas carols
• Christmas parols (lanterns)

List of Vendors

New Vendors

Alala Books	Bayong Canada	Beatriz Boutique
Eat Kanadiyan	Gigil Clothing	Hablon Styles and Hues
Heritage Baking Vancouver	Link and Chain Jewelry	GMA Pinoy TV
Malaya Handcraft	Mabuhay Supermarket	Siopao de Langley
Summit Kids

Returning Partners

Bukobaba	Ensaimada Moment	Goldilocks
Kape	Kasama Chocolate	Kaye Bakes
Kiligraphy	La Glace	LBC
O Taho	Pampanga's Cuisine	Plato Filipino
The Khaykery	Max's Restaurant	Maligaya Travel
Philippine Airlines	Potato Corner	Shameless Buns
Tourmasters Travel	Win-Win Chick-N

List of Carolers

• Jono Hilario and Jonathan Tamondong
• Ed and Salve Dayao
• Kylie Fonacier
• Flavo (the Holy Cross Band)
• UPAABC
• Joey Albert

Activities for Kids

• Parol-Making Activity: Vancouver-based visual artists Bert Monterona and Mylene Paredes will be giving out a total of 125 parol kits and conducting parol-making lessons every hour beginning at 11 a.m.
• Pinoy Story Time: Ms. Erie Maestro of Tulayan-Bridging the Filipino Diaspora will lead the Pinoy Story Time at 1 p.m
• Pabitin (A traditional Filipino party game for children): There will be two sets of the Pabitin, one in the morning for kids aged 3 to 7 years old, and the other in the afternoon for kids 8 to 11

Philippine Airlines Raffle

Win a roundtrip ticket to Manila from Philippine Airlines Buy from participating food and non-food vendors, and visit service vendors to join the raffle. The winning ticket will be drawn at 3:45 PM. The winner is not required to be present during the raffle draw to be eligible to claim the prize.

Photo Booth

This year’s photo booth services will be provided by EM Sager Photography.

Donation Drive for BC Children's Hospital

Bing a new, unused, and unopened toy for boys or girls on the day of the event. A box for the toys will be set up under the Christmas tree on stage. The toy drive is being undertaken in partnership with the Table Tutors DJ Academy.

Filipino Community Mass

The Philippine Consulate General will be sponsoring a Filipino community mass at the St. Patrick’s Church at 4:30 p.m.

Please check the Philippine Consulate General website for more details.

Update!

After buying a lot of food, we left and enjoyed it at our apartment in South Granville. At around 4:00 PM, my mom received a call from my dad telling us that my younger sister won int he raffle. She's the only one who entered. I asked my dad how he found out, and he said that one of his friends are in the event and called him right away.

My younger sister won a Fiesta Pinapple Ham.

Sari Sari Mini Pies from Hapag Restaurant | Magkasama Christmas Market 2021

The Sari-Sari (assorted) Mini Pies from Hapag Restaurant include Salted Caramel Yema Tarts, Banana Langka Turon Pie, and Buko (Coconut) Pie Pockets.

Buko (Coconut) Pies, Banana-Langka Turon Pie, and Salted Caramel Yema Tarts from

Salted Caramel Yema Tarts

I haven't had yema in so long, and I am glad that these tarts are just bite-size; otherwise, it would be too sweet and too much.

Banana Langka Turon Pie

One of my favourite Filipino desserts is turon (banana rolled in a thin spring roll wrapper, dusted with brown sugar, and deep-fried). The same ingredients on top of a pie crust surprisingly satisfy any turon craving I may have.

We haven't tried the buko pie. I'll do my best to update this post once we have enjoyed it.

Buko Pie update

The crust is flaky, and the pie is filled with coconut. Can I have more? If they offer the same thing next week, I'll be happy to order both pies again. It's so good.

Chocolate Crinkles from Craving Crave | Magkasama Christmas Market 2021

Of all the items sold at Magkasama Christmas Market 2021, hubby only requested one, and that's chocolate crinkles. I am not a fan of chocolate crinkles. It was my younger sister who LOVES the cookie.

10 pieces Chocolate Crinkles from Craving Crave

This is our first time buying Chocolate Crinkles since arriving in Canada, and I love how the powdered sugar just goes everywhere. It's so fun to eat. The cookie itself was moist and soft. However, hubby said it's not as sweet as the one back in the Philippines.

Check out Chocolate Crinkles and Macarons from Craving Crave.

Taho from Sago To Go | Magkasama Christmas Market 2021

The Christmas season is truly here! We picked up our Magkasama Christmas Market haul at Shameless Buns today. We ordered many items from many different vendors, and the first one we enjoyed was Taho from Sago Togo.

Sago Togo has been on my "radar" for a year now, but they're all the way in New Westminster, so I am incredibly pleased to have the chance to enjoy their taho.

Two 20 oz-cup of Taho

Growing up, taho is served warm, perfect for breakfast. I even remember buying taho from the manong before heading to the office in Makati when I was working at the RCBC building. Because I want my taho warm, I decided to put it in a microwaveable bowl and reheat it for one and a half minutes.

Taho from Sago Togo

It was not as sweet as the one from the Philippines, and I think that's awesome for health reasons. Hubby was looking for more arnibal (syrup). It might be fun to get each component in separate containers and have us (customers) "assemble" it, like how ramen is delivered with noodles and soup in individual packaging when delivered.

Magkasama Christmas Market Shopping

I am so excited about Magkasama Christmas Market. In the past three years, I always find out about the market AFTER the shopping period, and it's so frustrating to see all the happy people with their Christmas Filipino goodies haul.

SHOP HERE

That's why this year, I'm shopping early and shopping hard. 🤣 I am only buying things that hubby and I will enjoy. I can't wait to stuff my face with all this food.

• Bibingka (Rice Cakes) from Belliebake
• Chocolate Crinkles (10 pcs) from Craving Crave (as requested by hubby)
• Sari-Sari Mini Pies from Hapag Restaurant
• All-Cheese Ensaimada Sampler and Sweet & Savory Sampler Ensaimada from Ensaimada Moment
• Assorted Mamon Pack from KayeBakes.Ca (WOOT! We love Ate Kaye's cakes and ensaymada, but she's all the way in Surrey. Thank God for Magkasama, and I get to enjoy her baked goodies again!)
• Assorted Pandesal Box from La Meryenda 
• Taho from Sago Togo
• Shameless Filipino Spaghetti from Shameless Buns (When I tried the Spaghetti Lumpia last summer, I mentioned that I'd be happy to order just the spaghetti)

I spent more than I probably should, but my heart is filled with joy and excitement. I am looking forward to all the delicious food, and I am happy to support Filipino entrepreneurs and businesses in Vancouver.

Support Filipino-owned small businesses in Metro Vancouver and get Filipino food at Magkasama Christmas Market.

December 4, 2021 Update

I picked up our order today and am excited to munch on all this soon.

Magkasama Christmas Market Haul

Magkasama Christmas Market haul in one corner of our table

Freybe Brat Haus inside the Vancouver Christmas Market

Bratwurst! Sausage! How can you go wrong? Answer: you can't. Personally, I love the sauerkrat!

Das Brat: THE Brat is seasoned with marjoram and caraway and served on an artisan bun with warm sauerkrat.

Das Gulasch Haus inside the Vancouver Christmas Market

We really weren't planning on ordering here, but it's chilly, and the person selling was really trying hard, so we end up enjoying a tender beef in a bread bowl gulasch.

Tender beef stew inside a bowl of bread

Das Gulasch House

On their menu, they have a short description, which I will quote below.

Gulasch is a delicious warming stew found primarily in Austria and Hungary, where it had its origin as shepherds dish in the 9th century. In the 19th century Vienna, the center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a special type of Gulasch developed with more meat and fine Hungarian paprika."

Das Karoffel Haus inside the Vancouver Christmas Market

Kartoffelpuffer is basically German potato pancakes. Based on the description, it's like hashbrown or potato patties (depending on how you call it) but in a circular shape.

Kartoffelpuffer served with apple sauce and sour cream.

Kartoffelpuffer

I'll transcribe below what's in the signboard included in the second picture.

"A quintessential German treat beloved across every region of Germany, Kartoffelpuffer are not only a favorite dish to serve at home but are also a popular street food found at local events like the Christmas market.

Kartoffelpuffer are made from potatoes that are grated raw and grated finely. The shredded potatoes, finely grated onion and salt are then fried to light golden. The end result is a crispy exterior and soft interior.

Kartoffelpuffer can be served sweet or savory. Most commonly, they're served with applesauce, sugar, and sour cream. Sometimes they are served with salmon and/or brie as a part of a meal.

In a word, they're simply DELICIOUS!"

Mr. Pretzels inside the Vancouver Christmas Market

This is the best pretzels I have tried EVER! Where can I get these all year round?

Salted Pretzels

They have a Fun Fact poster that you can read while waiting in line. It says, "The first pretzels were baked as a soft squshy bread, like the soft pretzels of today. Pretzels may have been originall called bracellae, the Latin term for little arms, which later turned into the German bretzel. Pretzels were used in some cultures' wedding ceremonies, which may be where the term tying the knot originates from. Despite the ancient origins of the pretzel, the Mr. Pretzels you are about to consume was probably baked less than 15 minutes ago."