Bibingka at Simbang Gabi
Bibingka is more than a rice cake. It's a taste of Christmas morning in the Philippines.
Simbang Gabi: Nine Days of Dawn Mass
Starting December 16th, Filipino Catholics attend Simbang Gabi — nine consecutive dawn masses leading up to Christmas Eve. The church bells ring at 4 AM, and families walk through dark streets to worship together.
The Reward Outside the Church
After mass, the real magic happens. Vendors set up outside the church, selling freshly made bibingka and puto bumbong. The bibingka is baked in clay pots lined with banana leaves, over hot coals from above and below. The result: a soft, slightly charred rice cake with a smoky, earthy flavor.
How We Make It
Traditional bibingka uses: - Rice flour — soaked and ground, or using galapong (wet-milled rice flour) - Coconut milk — for richness - Banana leaves — lined in the clay pot for flavor and fragrance - Salted duck egg — sliced on top - Cheese — because Filipinos put cheese on everything
At Benito's Kitchen, we honor this tradition. Our bibingka is baked fresh, with real banana leaf flavor and generous toppings. It's Christmas morning in every bite — available year-round.