I officially turned 40 yesterday. It’s crazy to think that by my 47th birthday, I’ll (hopefully) be celebrating on the road — and with many more birthdays for both of us still to come. So, since we’re exploring Chile this month, I thought I’d look at how Chileans celebrate their special day.
🍰 The Star of the Show — Torta de Mil Hojas
What birthday is complete without cake? While I tucked into the iconic Colin the Caterpillar cake here in the UK, in Chile, I’d be celebrating with a Torta de Mil Hojas — or “Thousand Layer Cake.”
Brought over from Spain and Portugal, this classic made its way across Latin America and has remained a birthday favourite for over 100 years! It’s made with delicate pastry layers filled with manjar (similar to dulce de leche) and sometimes nuts or jam. Some are finished with more manjar, others with fruit or powdered sugar — and I imagine they all taste wonderful.
Another popular choice is Torta de Piña (pineapple cake). Made with three or four layers of vanilla sponge, cream, and pineapple filling, it’s finished with more cream, pineapple, and sometimes roasted coconut or chocolate sprinkles. It’s especially common for children’s or summer birthdays, adding a sunny tropical twist to the table.
🥪 Party Snacks — Small Bites with Big Flavour
Like most celebrations around the world, you can’t just have cake — you need food too! Chilean birthday tables are loaded with finger foods, offering a bit of something for everyone (and I’m always here for a buffet spread!).
Some typical dishes include:
- Sopaipillas – fried pumpkin dough served with pebre or manjar, sweet or savoury
- Empanadas – like a Cornish pasty, baked or fried, with all kinds of fillings
- Chorrillana – chips topped with sliced hotdogs, fried onions, fried eggs, and beef
- Pastel de Choclo – a sweet and savoury corn casserole with a ground beef filling
I really like the idea of chorrillana — it reminds me of loaded or “dirty fries”! Either way, everyone looks well-fed at a Chilean party.
🍾 Drinks — Fizzy Fun Over Fancy Wine
Cake? Check. Food? Check. Now for drinks!
For children, there’s the iconic Bilz y Pap — two colourful soft drinks, one red and fruity, the other yellow and papaya-flavoured. As for adults, you’ll often find:
- Terremotos – a cocktail created after the 1985 earthquake; white wine-based with pineapple ice cream and grenadine (there’s even a kid-friendly version with 7Up!)
- Borgoña – red wine mixed with strawberries and sugar
- Navegado – Chile’s version of mulled wine
I’m especially curious about Bilz y Pap — I can see Erika and I grabbing one of each to decide which is best!
🎶 The Song — A Little Different from Ours
Chileans sing “Cumpleaños Feliz,” much like other Spanish-speaking countries, but they add their own flair — extra clapping, cheering, and sometimes a verse for good luck. And yes, the mordida de la torta (face in the cake) tradition is real… though I might pass on that one!
✨ My Thoughts
Chile’s family-oriented culture shines through in its birthday traditions — warm, flavourful, and full of joy without being over-the-top. It’s all about spending time together and celebrating life’s simple moments.
As for me, I celebrated quietly this year with some traditional fish and chips and a slice of birthday cake. Nothing fancy — it’s freezing and has done nothing but rain! So, games with Erika and a cozy evening in was perfect.
One more year closer to travelling the world… and I can’t wait to celebrate future birthdays with friends I meet along the way. 🎈
Couch Potato to World Getter 
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