Christmas is also known as Christmas, Xmas or Noel. This is a holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by most Christians. Besides, Christmas is also a holiday for family gatherings and reunions.
Christmas is an important occasion for family and friends to gather at the end of the year to enjoy a warm meal.
Christmas is also considered a children's holiday because on this day children will always make wishes and hope that Santa Claus will help them come true, bringing interesting gifts.
And when it comes to dishes during this festive season, you will surely immediately think of names like roast turkey, gingerbread cookies or cakes... However, each country has its own traditional dishes to welcome this special occasion.
Japan
The Japanese population is largely Japanese and Buddhist, so Christmas is only celebrated in a few places. The Japanese fried chicken brand KFC is heavily advertised during Christmas and has become a favorite main dish on December 25th every year. According to statistics, about 3.6 million Japanese families eat KFC on Christmas Eve, sometimes they have to make reservations two months in advance.
KFC fried chicken is a traditional dish of Japanese people on Christmas.
The reason why this non-traditional dish has such a special place in the hearts of the Japanese people is because of KFC’s brilliant marketing plan during the 1970s. At that time, Japan had many different traditional Christmas dishes. And KFC led the trend by telling consumers “this is what you should do for Christmas”. This marketing campaign was so successful that KFC fried chicken became a traditional Christmas meal in Japan.
Virtue
Instead of fried chicken like in Japan, in Germany, roast goose and red cabbage are the kings of the feast. Legend has it that those who do not have a full dinner on Christmas Eve will have bad luck. So on this day, everyone allows themselves to eat a little more and do not forget to eat a few slices of stollen, also known as German Christmas bread with dried fruits.
Roast goose is the main dish on Christmas Day in Germany.
Goose has been a traditional Christmas dish around the world since the Middle Ages. The eating of goose was originally associated with St Thomas Martin's Day but has now become part of the Christmas meal. It is stuffed with apples, chestnuts, onions, prunes, then seasoned with wormwood, marjoram and finally served with red cabbage, dumplings, gravy and sauerkraut. The oldest known recipe for the dish comes from a cookbook published in 1350 called Das Buch von guter Speise.
Poland
Unlike other countries, in Poland there will be no roast meat or turkey on the table on Christmas Eve because it is a fasting day. No one will eat anything until all family members break Christmas bread together and exchange wishes for health and prosperity.
Herring in wine sauce
This special country with Christmas Eve dish will be fish with many ways of preparation such as: fried or stuffed carp, herring in cream sauce or wine sauce, accompanied by fruit jams, vegetable salad, steamed potatoes and traditional Polish cakes. This country is mainly Muslim so people absolutely do not eat meat on this day.
Shirt
On Christmas Eve, December 24, Austrians usually have a light dinner of traditional soup with sausages, baked potatoes and Sauerkraut (pickled cabbage). They have to wait until December 25 to have a Christmas lunch including roast goose stuffed with red cabbage, fish, especially carp, and some other dishes and gather with family.
Vanillekipferl are famous vanilla flavored cookies with half-moon shape.
Vanillekipferl (vanilla croissants) are an Austrian Christmas staple. These small, crescent-shaped almond cookies are coated in vanilla sugar. These cute little treats are a firm favourite among Austrians.
Peru
Peruvian Christmas food is a combination of Argentinean and American, British and French flavors because the main dish in this country is turkey stuffed with beef and peanuts. In particular, this country often focuses on decorating Christmas dishes, so the turkey stuffed with beef will be decorated with a few slices of fresh pineapple and cherries. Accompanied by baked potatoes and delicious apple sauce, bringing a unique feature to Peru.
Older brother
Originating in England in the 14th century, Christmas pudding is a “frumenty” dish made from fruit, oats, nuts and beef or lamb kidney fat. It is traditionally served as a quick meal for about 5 weeks before Christmas in preparation for Advent. The heavy portion is also mixed with wine, then steamed or boiled. Stirring the mixture is often considered good luck for all members of the family. By stirring the mixture, they can achieve success in their wishes.
Christmas pudding originated as a “frumenty” dish made from fruit, oats, nuts and beef or lamb kidney fat.
Various things were then stirred into the pudding. Silver coins, cacti, silver bracelets and rings were all said to bring good luck, prosperity and even marriage to those lucky enough to find them. Today, you would be hard pressed to find any of these items added to a store-bought Christmas pudding.
France
Unlike the British, the French have their Christmas meal at midnight, and that meal is called Le Réveillon. The main dish at this time is pork with cabbage or goose stuffed with chestnuts.
Christmas dinner in France
In addition, Coquilles Saint - Jacques is an indispensable dish at the French Christmas party. The dish is made from scallops, butter, herbs and kept in the shell. The dishes are served with champagne or wine; and the dessert at the end of the meal is a special cake similar to panettone.
Russia
In many Russian families, Christmas Eve dinner will also be meatless because this day falls during the fasting period for Orthodox Christians. Russians often eat a dish called Sochivo, which is similar to Ukrainian Kutya, made from wheat, honey, poppy seeds and nuts or dried berries. Some people like to eat Aspic (fish jelly) on this holiday, while meat eaters enjoy goose or roast pork.
Russian dish Selyodka pod shuboy
Selyodka pod shuboy is a layered salad that is popular among Russians during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Not only is it beautiful and colorful, this dish also has a funny name, which translates to "herring under a fur coat" because its shape evokes the association with layers of cloaks covering the fish. Ingredients to prepare the salad include pickled herring, chopped vegetables such as beets, carrots, potatoes, mashed eggs, and creamy mayonnaise.
Mexico
In Mexico, Christmas is not celebrated as an official holiday. Instead, January 6 is known as the “Feast of the Three Kings” (Epiphany or El Dia de los Reyes). One of the traditional dishes that cannot be missed on this day in Mexico is Bacalao. This is a cold dish consisting of fish that is cooked or fried and then mixed with vegetables and olives. In addition, the party is also served with other dishes such as ham, turkey...
Mexican Three Kings Cake
In addition, the Three Kings cake is also an indispensable thing for Mexicans. The cake usually has a small statue (a baby, representing Jesus) hidden inside. The person who finds the statue is believed to receive good luck from God that year and is called “Godparent”.
Sweden
Like many other Nordic countries, Sweden also hosts a traditional lordly Christmas dinner. The meal is called julbord and includes a full range of traditional dishes such as pickled herring, salmon and meatballs, along with side dishes such as bread, liver pâté, beetroot salad, cheese and cabbage. The meal is said to “celebrate” after a period of fasting from the beginning of Advent until midnight on Christmas Eve.
