Regina Troy Barrios

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Ghost Month

<p>Ghost Month may be the time when tradition tells us hungry spirits wander among the living, but it’s also when dining takes on a whole new layer of meaning. Beyond cravings and comfort food, every bite comes with a side of superstition: some dishes are believed to bring prosperity, while others might just tempt bad luck to the table. Whether you’re planning a family feast, a business lunch, or simply wondering if it’s okay to order that big slab of beef, consider this your cheat sheet to the dos and don’ts of eating well — and wisely — this Ghost Month.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756691857037Workbench Thumbnail.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Eat smart, stay lucky this Ghost Month | Photo: Shutterstock</span></span></span></div><p><strong>DO serve noodles for longevity.</strong> A tangle of long, uncut noodles isn’t just delicious—it’s a promise of long life and smooth journeys. Just remember: don’t cut or break them, or you might symbolically cut your own fortune short.</p><div><br/></div><p><strong>DON’T open a restaurant (or any food business).</strong> Ghost Month is considered an unlucky time to launch anything new, and that includes restaurants, cafés, or even food stalls. The belief is that restless spirits might bring misfortune, making ventures started during this period more likely to fail.</p><div><br/></div><p><strong>DO offer fruits for abundance.</strong> Round, juicy fruits like oranges, apples, pears, and pomegranates symbolize prosperity and harmony. They’re often included in offerings to both ancestors and wandering spirits, keeping tables full and spirits appeased.</p><div><br/></div><p><strong>DON’T order beef. </strong>In Buddhist tradition, cows are sacred animals. Eating beef during Ghost Month is thought to invite bad karma or disrespect spirits. Many families avoid it entirely, opting instead for pork, chicken, or fish.</p><div><br/></div><p><strong>DO prepare symbolic foods for offerings.</strong> Classic Ghost Festival offerings include rice, dumplings, and roast meats—nourishment for the departed as well as blessings for the living. Lay them out with respect, and remember that presentation counts.</p><p><strong>DON’T stick chopsticks upright in rice.</strong> It resembles incense sticks at a funeral altar and is believed to attract unwanted spirits. Place chopsticks neatly on a rest or across your bowl instead.</p><p><strong>DO enjoy vegetarian dishes.</strong> Many people choose to go meatless on the first and fifteenth days of Ghost Month as a way of showing compassion and earning merit. Bonus: it’s also a chance to discover how satisfying a well-prepared plant-based meal can be.</p><p><strong>DON’T eat taboo foods at night.</strong> Sour, spicy, or pungent foods are believed to attract spirits after dark, when the line between living and dead is thinnest. Best to enjoy your fiery laksa or garlic-loaded adobo before the sun goes down.</p><div><br/></div><p>At the end of the day, Ghost Month isn’t about living in fear of a misplaced noodle or a mistimed business opening. It’s about honoring traditions, being mindful of the unseen, and finding comfort in food that nourishes both body and spirit. Follow the dos, sidestep the don’ts, and you’ll discover that dining this season is less about superstition and more about savoring connections—with family, with culture, and yes, maybe even with a few wandering souls.</p>

<p>From auspicious dishes that promise good fortune to taboo foods best avoided, here’s your guide to dining smart (and lucky) this Ghost Month.</p>

From auspicious dishes that promise good fortune to taboo foods best avoided, here’s your guide to dining smart (and lucky) this Ghost Month.

The Dos And Don’ts Of Dining This Ghost Month

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The Dos And Don’ts Of Dining This Ghost Month

Metro.Style

Published August 25, 2025 10:05 AM PHT

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Updated September 01, 2025 10:00 AM PHT

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