From kimbap to bibingka: Food finds await at South Triangle Christmas Bazaar

Food lovers looking for new dining spots this holiday season can check out the first-ever South Triangle Christmas Bazaar along Tomas Morato Extension in Quezon City. 

The outdoor bazaar features 40 food stalls offering a wide variety of local and international dishes, including Filipino, Japanese, Mexican, Chinese, and Korean favorites.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Barangay South Triangle Chairman Beverly Gaw led the formal opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12.

The event also featured performances from a cheerleading squad and a fireworks display, drawing families and groups of friends eager to explore the food selections. 

Among the visitors were Lorie Ann Devilla and her friends, who bought a variety of dishes from different stalls.

“Chicharon bulaklak, mga friends ko po. Filipino food, kimchi, Japanese food!” she said when asked about her purchases. 

Leo Casanova also visited the bazaar with his family and said the event offered an enjoyable way to spend time together during the holiday season.

“Kasama ko ang pamilya ko, misis ko anak ko at anak-anakan ko. After work, day off niya ngayon. Maganda naman, natataon sa holiday season na may ganito maraming taong nasisiyahan. Sari-saring mga pagkain na gusto nila,” he said.

He also mentioned some of the food choices they found appealing.

“Shawarma, oyster, Korean food. Sulit yung presyo nila,” he added. 

For Mayor Belmonte, the bazaar is among the first of several food bazaars expected to open across Quezon City as the Christmas season approaches.

“Very important para sa amin sa bazaar, hindi lang ito, pati yung sa city hall. Marami pa tayong iba’t ibang barangay na magbubukas ng kani-kanilang food bazaar,” Belmonte said. 

“Dahil gusto nilang bigyan ng pagkakataon ang kanilang nano-entrepreneurs na kumita ngayong Pasko,” she added.

The initiative also provides small business owners and vendors with additional opportunities to earn during the holiday season.

Marybeth Alla, one of the bazaar vendors selling Korean food and fresh juices, said business has been encouraging since the start of the ber months.

“Okay naman nauubos ang paninda at stock namin. Malakas naman po, okay naman po, magsimula mag-ber months,” she said. 

She added that their best-selling Korean dishes include chapchae and kimbap.

The South Triangle Christmas Bazaar is open daily from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. until December 30, with a holiday break on December 23 and 24.

Personnel from the Philippine National Police, the Quezon City Traffic and Transport Management Department, and the barangay are deployed in the area to maintain peace and order and manage traffic flow.