Christmas is the season of joy, togetherness—and, let’s be honest, a lot of food. Every country brings its own flavor to the holiday table, making Christmas a global potluck of culinary traditions. Let’s take a lighthearted journey through 10 countries’ holiday dishes, one for each continent (well, Antarctica might have to stick to fruitcake).
1. USA (North America): Turkey and All the Trimmings
In the U.S., Christmas dinner is like Thanksgiving 2.0. Think roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, creamy mashed potatoes, and enough pie to make Santa skip dessert. And don’t forget the eggnog—because what’s Christmas without a little nutmeg-flavored cheer?
2. Mexico (North America): Tamales and Ponche
South of the border, Christmas means tamales—corn dough stuffed with meat, cheese, or chili peppers—wrapped like edible gifts in corn husks. Wash it down with ponche navideño, a warm fruit punch spiked with a little tequila for good measure.
3. Brazil (South America): Farofa and Rabanada
It’s summer in Brazil, so Christmas dinner is a tropical affair. Alongside roasted turkey or pork, you’ll find farofa (toasted manioc flour) and rabanada—a cinnamon-sprinkled twist on French toast that proves dessert for dinner is never a bad idea.
4. UK (Europe): Roast Dinner and Christmas Pudding
In the UK, Christmas isn’t complete without a roast dinner featuring turkey (or goose if you’re fancy), Brussels sprouts (love them or hate them), and Yorkshire puddings. The grand finale? A flaming Christmas pudding that’s more booze than cake.
5. Italy (Europe): Feast of the Seven Fishes
Italians go all out on Christmas Eve with the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Expect plates of calamari, shrimp, and baccalà (salted cod), followed by panettone—a sweet bread that’s basically a festive loaf of joy.
6. South Africa (Africa): Braai and Malva Pudding
Christmas falls during summer in South Africa, so a barbecue (braai) often replaces the traditional roast. Add malva pudding—a spongy, apricot-laden dessert doused in cream—and you’ve got a meal fit for the sunny season.
7. Australia (Oceania): Seafood and Pavlova
Australians skip the heavy roasts and opt for fresh seafood—think prawns, oysters, and lobster. The showstopper? Pavlova, a crisp meringue topped with whipped cream and summer fruits that’ll make you forget all about snow.
8. Japan (Asia): Fried Chicken and Christmas Cake
Japan has turned a bucket of KFC into a quirky holiday tradition, thanks to a clever 1970s ad campaign. Pair that with a fluffy strawberry shortcake called Christmas cake, and you’ve got a finger-lickin’ holiday.
9. Philippines (Asia): Noche Buena Feast
Filipinos don’t mess around with Christmas Eve dinner, a.k.a. Noche Buena. The table overflows with lechon (roast pig), queso de bola (cheese ball), and bibingka (rice cakes). It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
10. Iceland (Europe): Smoked Lamb and Fermented Shark
Icelandic Christmas meals are not for the faint-hearted. Smoked lamb (hangikjöt) is the star, often accompanied by fermented shark (hákarl). It’s an adventurous culinary ride that’ll leave a lasting impression—guaranteed.