Gwakong’s Vegetarian Birthday Lunch

 

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