If my Gwakong were still alive, he’d be 96 years old today. And we’d be having an all-out vegetable-galore celebration at The Original Savory Escolta, with everything (and everyone) red and festive, very similar to this.
Nowadays we celebrate his birthdays at home with simple but delicious vegetarian lunches prepared by my Auntie Lily.
Gwakong’s feast
A cabinet full of trinkets, and boxes and boxes of offerings
Vegetarian Kiampeng
Vegetarian Ham
Beancurd Strips with Tomatoes
Vegetarian Kidney
Vegetarian Chicken Nuggets
Vegetarian Spaghetti
Vegetarian Spam
Vegetarian Ground Pork with Taosi
Vegetarian Braised Beef with Radish
Vegetarian Chicken Curry
Vegetarian Tofu (wait, tofu IS a vegetable!)
Upo with Mushrooms and Ham
Vegetarian Ma-Ki
Birthday Favors
Vegetarians for the day
