Feasting Around the World: What Christmas Dinner Looks Like From Tokyo to Tuscany

Christmas isn’t just a holiday — it’s a global food festival disguised as a family gathering. The Christmas feast is a highlight for many, with some of us fiercely loyal to roast turkey or glazed gammon. Meanwhile, the rest of the world is doing Christmas dinner their way — sometimes surprising, sometimes quirky, and always delicious.

Here’s a tasty tour of Christmas dishes across the globe.

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United Kingdom — Turkey, Pudding & Paper Crowns

British Christmas dinner is an event, a performance, a full-scale production that usually begins with someone burning the roast potatoes and ends with everyone arguing over the TV remote.
On the menu:

• Roast turkey (or goose if you’re feeling very Victorian)
• Sage and onion stuffing
• Brussels sprouts (because tradition insists)
• Gravy — by the jug, not the spoon
• Christmas pudding set alight with brandy like a controlled explosion

The Brits don paper crowns from Christmas crackers — no one knows why — but it’s tradition and therefore compulsory.

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South Africa — Summer, Braais & a Totally Different Vibe

When the sun is shining and it’s 30°C, roasting a turkey seems more like punishment than celebration.
South African tables often showcase:

• Gammon glazed with honey or Coca-Cola (don’t knock it till you try it!)
• Roast lamb or beef
• A good old-fashioned Christmas braai
  Plus, peppermint crisp tart inevitably appears because Christmas calories are invisible in the southern hemisphere.

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Italy — Seafood Feasts and Endless Courses

Christmas in Italy is less of a meal and more of a culinary marathon — no one knows when it ends, and no one wants it to.
On Christmas Eve many regions enjoy:

• The Feast of the Seven Fishes — multiple seafood dishes
  And Christmas Day may include:
• Lasagne, ravioli, or tortellini in broth
• Roasted meats
• Panettone or pandoro for dessert

If you leave an Italian Christmas hungry, that’s on you.

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Japan — Fast Food, Festive Buckets & A Very Smart Marketing Campaign

Here’s a fun one: Christmas in Japan is not traditionally religious, but thanks to a legendary 1974 marketing slogan (“Kentucky for Christmas!”), millions now celebrate with KFC buckets and strawberry shortcake.
Yes, booking a table at Kentucky Fried Chicken is a real thing.
The Colonel is practically Santa — just with better chicken.

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Germany — Sausages, Stollen & a Whole Market Dedicated to Snacks

Germany is the land of Christmas markets, meaning the festive season comes with its own grazing-style dining plan.
Classic dishes include:

• Roast goose or pork
• Sausages as far as the eye can see
• Kartoffelsalat (potato salad)
• Stollen — fruit bread that starts turning up in shops sometime in July

Mulled wine keeps everyone warm — and cheerful.

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Mexico — Tamales, Punch & A Party That Lasts Nine Nights

Christmas in Mexico isn’t one day — it’s nine nights of Las Posadas, music, food, and breaking piñatas for dessert.
Popular dishes include:

• Tamales wrapped in corn husks
• Bacalao (salted cod)
• Pozole — a rich hominy stew
  All washed down with ponche navideño, a warm Christmas punch with cinnamon, guava, and festive cheer.

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Australia — Barbecues, Pavlova & Beach Picnics

Like South Africans, Australians enjoy their Christmas food under the sun.
Expect:

• Prawns the size of your forearm
• Cold ham, cold turkey, and salads as colourful as a beach umbrella
• Pavlova — a towering meringue with berries
  Aussies may be the only people who consider sand a condiment.

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Philippines — Noche Buena With Lechon at Centre Stage

The Philippines hosts one of the world’s longest Christmas seasons — starting in September (yes, really).
Noche Buena on Christmas Eve features:

• Lechon (whole roasted pig)
• Queso de Bola (cheese ball)
• Sweet spaghetti (deliciously controversial)
• Bibingka — rice cake baked in banana leaves

Filipinos know how to party — and how to eat.

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The Final Plate

No matter where you are:

• Someone will eat too much.
• Someone will forget the rolls.
• And somewhere in the house, a leftover dessert will mysteriously disappear — usually blamed on the dog.

Christmas food tells the story of each country — its history, its climate, its culture, and its sense of humour.

One global holiday — a delicious menu of traditions.
And the best part? There’s always seconds.