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Like all other chinese restos in Binondo, Lucky Rainbow was not aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.
But what it lacked in beauty, it made up for in the food quality.

No-nonsense interior. Basic set-up.
But the food really compensated for the unattractive setting.

Judith provided the parents with these beautiful red envelopes which we quickly stuffed with lucky money. KKK (kanya-kanyang kids)

The lucky kids! 😉

The lucky parents! 😉
Celebrating CNY 3 years in a row.
The exchange of Tikoy must really work, lels. Our friendship remains stickier & sweeter than ever. <3

We made sure to order Peking Duck, swahe & live Lapu-lapu ahead of time since we knew these were the first ones to run out. We even called on the day itself & were assured of our food reservation, only to find out they gave away what was supposed to be ours with the blame shifting from one person to the other. TABOO, really! But what could we do? It was too late to find another restaurant able to accommodate all 20 people.

Good thing The Clan was in good spirits & game to order what was available on the menu..

Siomai 78 php/basket of 4’s x8. The siomai were jumbo in size & crunchy to the bite. We were very very happy with our dimsum appetizers. <3

Hakaw 88php/basket of 4’s x8.

2.5 kilos of Asado for the 2 tables 560 php/kilo (total 1.4k) Not your regular processed asado. This was really really good! m/

Corn Soup for the kids 640 php/Large order.

Hot & Sour Soup for the Oldies 640 php/Large order.

Beef Tenderloin Chinese Style 700 php/Large order.

Sweet & Sour Pork 480 php/Large order x2.

Broccoli in Oyster Sauce for the kids 560 php/Large order.

Garlic Polunchay for the oldies 560 php/Large order.

Yang Chow Fried Rice 420 php/Large order x2.

Fookien Miswa 440 php/Large order x2.

Steamed Lapu-lapu 3.5 kilos (2 whole per table) 5k. This was the most expensive dish that we ordered. But traditions says we needed fish for prosperity. So fish it is! 😉

The New Year’s Eve dinner is the most important dinner for Chinese. Normally this is the family reunion dinner, especially for those with family member away from home. In the New Year’s Eve dinner, normally FISH will be served. DUMPLINGS are the most important dish in northern china. These two dishes mean prosperous.

3 Cups of Chicken 420 php per Medium Pot x2

800 grams Swahe, all that was available even with prior reservation of 2 kilos per table. 800 php.

Then came the time for the much awaited angpao distribution..

Red envelopes are gifts presented at social and family gatherings such as weddings or on holidays such as the Chinese New Year. The red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits. Red packets are usually given out by married couples to single people, especially to children or work colleagues.

It is traditional to put brand new notes inside red envelopes and also to avoid opening the envelopes in front of the relatives out of courtesy.The amount of money contained in the envelope usually ends with an even digit, in accordance with Chinese beliefs; odd-numbered money gifts are traditionally associated with funerals. There is also a widespread tradition that money should not be given in fours, or the number four should not appear in the amount, such as in 40, 400 and 444, as the pronunciation of the word “four” resembles that of the word “death” and thus signifies bad luck for many Chinese.

Happy with their little red packets. 🙂

Our CNY dinner would have been perfect if only our succulent ducks made an appearance at the dining table. So maybe that’s what these birds were telling us as we made our way to Binondo: Not to expect to eat their kin that night.

I swear, it’s so eerie & creepy how these birds gather everyday at sunset ON THE DOT & perch on the meralco lines running across Starmall the whole night. Same spot every single day, I kid you not.

Starmall Alabang, formerly called Metropolis Star Alabang, stands on what used to be the Alabang Cemetery. The mall was built in the ’90s by Manuela Realty Development Corp, which was established by the grandmother-in-law of Sen Manny Villar.

But don’t worry. Our screaming red shirts & happy dispositions made sure to drive away any & all evil spirits looming that night and the rest of the year! 😉

Next CNY, I hope we can all celebrate it in an authentic setting at the country that started it all. CHINA! m/

To all my readers, Sui Sui Ping An (harmony and safely year round!)