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What Christmas dinner looks like around the world
Christmas is a magical time of year when families and friends come together to celebrate, exchange gifts and enjoy delicious food. While Christmas traditions vary from household to household, they also vary greatly from country to country. Let’s take a culinary journey around the world to explore the diverse and delicious holiday meal traditions.
Philippines
In the Philippines, Christmas is a big deal, starting as early as September. On Christmas Eve, families attend midnight mass and then return home for a lavish feast known as Noche Buena. One of the highlights of a Filipino Christmas dinner is lechon, a whole roasted pig with crispy, flavorful skin. For those who can’t afford a whole pig, ham and queso de bola (Edam cheese) are popular alternatives. The Filipino version of spaghetti, topped with cheese and bright red hot dogs, is also a common Christmas dish. And let’s not forget the delicious desserts, such as tibok tibok (a pulsating pudding) and leche flan (a rich caramel custard).
FINLAND
In Finland, Christmas Eve is a time when families and friends gather for a festive meal. Seafood is at the center of the Finnish holiday feast, with dishes such as salmon, powan, lutefisk (dried cod), pickled herring, and fish roe. Baked ham with homemade mustard is another traditional Christmas dish. For dessert, Finns enjoy gingerbread (piparkakut) and pastries filled with plum jam (joulutorttu), often accompanied by a glass of mulled wine (glögi).
JAPAN
While Christmas is not widely celebrated in Japan, it has become a unique tradition to enjoy a fried chicken meal from KFC on December 25. This tradition grew out of a successful KFC marketing campaign in the 1970s. Today, millions of Japanese order KFC during the holiday season. Christmas meal boxes in Japan typically include chicken, cake, and wine. It’s a fascinating example of how a foreign tradition can be adopted and adapted in a different cultural context.
Australia
In Australia, where Christmas falls during the summer season, the holiday meal takes on a more outdoor and casual atmosphere. Barbecues are a popular choice, allowing Australians to enjoy the warm weather while cooking up a feast. Seafood, especially prawns, is a staple of the Australian Christmas menu. Mangoes and cherries are also traditional fruity treats that appear on the Christmas table.
Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico, Christmas celebrations begin on December 15 with dawn services called Misas de Aguinaldo. The main Christmas meal, known as Nochebuena, features roast pork (lechón) as the star attraction. This is often accompanied by rice and beans (arroz con gandules). Seafood dishes such as salt cod fritters (bacalaitos fritos con bacalao guisado) and tostones with shrimp (tostones con camarones guisados) are also popular. For dessert, Puerto Ricans enjoy raspberry cream pie and coquito, a Puerto Rican version of eggnog.
Russia
Russia celebrates Christmas on January 7, according to the Julian calendar. The Christmas dinner, known as sochevnik, is a symbolic and meatless meal. It consists of 12 courses representing the 12 apostles of Christ. Traditional Russian Christmas dishes include kutya (a sweet grain pudding), kulebyaka (a salmon turnover), and bobal’ki or pagach (sweet bread stuffed with potatoes or cabbage). Some families also serve pryaniki (gingerbread) or kolyadki (cheese-filled Christmas cookies). The meal is accompanied by vzvar, a sweet drink used to welcome newcomers.
Nigeria
In Nigeria, Christmas dinner has a special meaning as it is a time for families to come together. The food served may not be extravagant, but it is certainly delicious. Nigerian fried rice, a popular dish made with seasoned rice, meat, chicken or shrimp, and a mix of vegetables, is often a highlight of the meal. Another favorite is party jollof rice, a rich and flavorful rice dish. Despite its simplicity, the emphasis on family and togetherness makes the Nigerian Christmas dinner a memorable occasion.
These are just a few examples of the diverse holiday dinner traditions around the world. Each country brings its unique flavors and culinary customs to the table, making the holiday season a truly global celebration. Whether it’s lechon in the Philippines, roasted ham in Finland, or fried chicken in Japan, Christmas dinner is a time to come together, share delicious food, and create lasting memories with loved ones. So this holiday season, why not explore different culinary traditions and incorporate some international flavors into your own holiday feast? Bon appétit and happy holidays!
FAQS
Traditional dishes served during Christmas in the Philippines include lechon (roast pork), ham and queso de bola (Edam cheese), sweet spaghetti, tibok tibok (pudding), and leche flan (caramel pudding).
What is a typical Christmas meal in Finland?
A typical Christmas dinner in Finland often includes seafood such as salmon, powan, lutefisk (dried cod), pickled herring and fish roe. Baked ham with homemade mustard is another popular dish. For dessert, Finns enjoy gingerbread (piparkakut) and pastries filled with plum jam (joulutorttu), often accompanied by mulled wine (glögi).
Why is roast chicken a popular Christmas meal in Japan?
Fried chicken became a popular Christmas meal in Japan after a successful marketing campaign by KFC in the 1970s. Since then, it has become a unique tradition for many Japanese to enjoy a KFC fried chicken meal on December 25th.
What are some of the typical dishes served at Christmas in Australia?
In Australia, Christmas falls during the summer season, so barbecues are a popular choice. Seafood, especially shrimp, is often eaten. Mangoes and cherries are also traditional fruits that appear on the Christmas table.
What are some of the traditional Christmas dishes in Puerto Rico?
In Puerto Rico, traditional Christmas dishes include roast pork (lechón), rice and beans (arroz con gandules), salt cod fritters (bacalaitos fritos con bacalao guisado), tostones with steamed shrimp (tostones con camarones guisados), raspberry cream cake, and coquito (Puerto Rican eggnog).