Christmas is celebrated in many different ways around the globe, but surely one of the most universal ways to commemorate anything is through food. Each country serves its own unique dishes and observes its cherished culinary traditions during this festive season. From intricate recipes passed down through generations to modern reinterpretations of traditional classics, Christmas is also a pilgrimage of flavors. Here’s a journey through lesser-known holiday culinary customs from five continents, offering a sample of how this season is celebrated around the world.
Europe: Medieval alchemy and fiery sweets
When thinking of Christmas in Europe, images of Italian panettone, British pudding, or French stuffed turkey often come to mind. Yet, Europe’s diverse culinary traditions also include surprising and unconventional delights.
- Sweden: Julbord and the curious Lutefisk
In Sweden, the Christmas Julbord is a sumptuous feast that features pickled herring, meatballs, Christmas ham, and the polarizing lutefisk. This dish, made from dried cod rehydrated in lye, boasts a gelatinous texture and a distinctly acquired taste. A medieval tradition, lutefisk remains an emblem of Scandinavian holiday dinners despite its divisive reputation.
- Iceland: “Leaf Bread” and the thirteen Yule Lads
Iceland’s Christmas folklore is rich with tales of the mischievous Yule Lads, 13 figures who deliver gifts to children during the 13 days leading to Christmas. The celebrations feature laufabrauð, or “leaf bread,” an intricately cut, wafer-thin bread fried to golden perfection. This painstaking ritual symbolizes resilience against Iceland’s harsh winters, transforming simple ingredients into edible works of art.
- Basque Country: Eels and the Cantabrian Sea’s secrets
In the Basque Country, Christmas menus take a marine twist with angulas, baby eels fished from the cold waters of the Cantabrian Sea. These translucent delicacies are lightly sautéed with garlic and chili in small clay pans. This dish not only highlights the region’s fishing heritage but also embodies a deep respect for nature’s bounty during the festive season.
Asia: Modern festivities and ancient rituals
- Japan: A “Kentucky Christmas”
In Japan, where Christmas isn’t traditionally religious, a modern custom has taken root: eating fried chicken from KFC. Thanks to a 1974 marketing campaign, KFC has become synonymous with the Japanese Christmas feast, with families placing orders weeks in advance. The tradition reportedly began when foreigners, unable to find turkey for Christmas, opted for fried chicken instead, sparking an enduring national trend.
- Philippines: Bibingka and Simbang Gabi
In the Philippines, the Christmas season includes Simbang Gabi, a series of dawn masses leading up to Christmas Day. After the service, attendees enjoy bibingka, a rice cake cooked in banana leaves and topped with butter, sugar, and grated coconut. Simple yet meaningful, this dish embodies community and shared celebration.
- South Korea: Christmas Kimchi and the art of fermentation
In South Korea, the holiday season features kimchi, the country’s iconic fermented cabbage dish. During this time, families prepare special varieties of kimchi enriched with luxurious ingredients like fresh oysters or salted shrimp. The process, known as kimjang, is a UNESCO-recognized cultural tradition that brings families together, blending past and present in every jar of spicy flavors.
- India: Goan Vindaloo and Colonial Echoes
In Goa, a region shaped by Portuguese colonial heritage, Christmas is marked by vindaloo, a fiery pork dish marinated in vinegar, garlic, and chili. This festive preparation is a fusion of East and West, served with fresh bread or rice. Each bite tells a story of adaptation, resilience, and culinary artistry.
Africa: Sacred tables and ageless ingredients
- Zimbabwe: African Panettone and the Baobab’s Legacy
In Zimbabwe, Christmas festivities feature a unique take on panettone made with baobab flour. The baobab tree, known as the “Tree of Life,” produces a citrusy, nutrient-rich fruit that flavors this festive bread. This adaptation bridges European holiday traditions with African heritage, symbolizing survival and creativity in a land of contrasts.
- Ghana: Joloff rice and the symphony of spices
In Ghana, Christmas celebrations center around Joloff rice, a spiced dish prepared with tomatoes, onions, and chili. Families come together to cook, dance, and share this flavorful meal, making it a joyous tribute to West African culinary roots and communal spirit.
- Ethiopia: Doro Wat and Orthodox Christmas
Ethiopia’s Christmas, celebrated on January 7 according to the Julian calendar, features doro wat, a spicy chicken stew served with injera, the traditional spongy flatbread. This labor-intensive dish represents hospitality and devotion, requiring hours of preparation for the perfect holiday meal.
America: Syncretism and modern inventions
- Jamaica: Sorrel punch and the call of the Indies
In Jamaica, Christmas is flavored with sorrel punch, a deep red drink made from hibiscus calyces, ginger, cloves, and rum. Introduced by enslaved Africans, this festive beverage embodies renewal and celebration, bridging continents and histories with every sip.
- Mexico: Tamales and Posadas
In Mexico, the Posadas, reenactments of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, are at the heart of Christmas celebrations. The occasion calls for tamales, corn husk-wrapped bundles filled with meat, vegetables, or fruit. Each family guards its own tamale recipe, passed down through generations, making the dish a cornerstone of Mexican Christmas.
Oceania: Summer feasts by the sea
- Australia: Seafood and Pavlova
In Australia, where Christmas falls in the height of summer, the holiday is celebrated with beachside feasts. Families enjoy fresh seafood like prawns, crabs, and oysters, accompanied by the iconic pavlova, a meringue dessert topped with whipped cream and vibrant summer fruits. This light yet indulgent dish captures the season’s festive warmth.
A global celebration of flavor
From the icy fjords of Scandinavia to the sunlit beaches of Australia, Christmas meals are as varied as the cultures that celebrate them. These dishes, whether rooted in ancient traditions or shaped by modern innovation, reflect the spirit of togetherness that defines the season. Each plate tells a story, inviting us to embark on a pilgrimage of flavor that spans continents and connects humanity.
