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Christmas Food in Japan

Before the 1970s, most families in Japan had no holiday traditions around Christmas. With Christians making up less than 1% of the population in Japan, the holiday had yet to become a cultural fixation. Not long after 1974, Christmas became a festive holiday thanks to the introduction of “Kentucky for Christmas” by a marketing campaign by KFC.

Christmas in Japan is viewed as a secular holiday and is celebrated differently than in countries with larger Christian populations. Still, this holiday is a time of family and friendship gatherings full of uncommon and exciting traditions.

Despite Christmas Day (December 25) not being recognized as an official holiday in Japan, the day is still commemorated and commercialized heavily in Japanese society. For many Japanese people, it is a day to rest and celebrate with friends and loved ones. A Hallmark feature of Japanese Christmas is its unique food customs. Christmas Eve is also a big night for lovers as it is seen as a lucky night for lovers to get their first kiss.

Kentucky Fried Chicken and Christmas in Japan

Christmas Kentucky Fried Chicken

The most sort after Christmas food in Japan is the renowned Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) dinner meals. While there are several stories about how this unique tradition began, one thing is certain- it is the single most celebrated Christmas tradition in Japan!

Let’s further explore Christmas food traditions and specialties in Japan now!

Top Five Japanese Christmas Food Other Than KFC

No doubt, eating fried chicken at Christmas is entirely customary. However, there is a wide variety of other foods that Japanese people enjoy eating at this time of year. Here is a definitive list of the most popular main dishes enjoyed for Christmastime meals:

1. Pizza

Japanese Christmas Food, Pizza

Like Kentucky Fried Chicken mentioned previously, pizza is another Westernized food shared among family and friends.

2. Chirashizushi

Japanese Christmas food, Chirazushi

This beloved party dish translates as “scattered sushi.” It is a dish served with sushi components laid over a bed of rice. Fish is always cooked, never raw, for this dish.

3. Cream Stew

Japanese Christmas food, Cream Stew

Perfect for warming you up on a cold day. This stew is made with chicken or pork and packed with various vegetables, such as potatoes, onions, cabbage, and carrots. This delicious stew is often served as a main dish and paired with other complementary sides.

4. Ganmodoki

Japanese Christmas food, Ganmodoki

Also known as Japanese tofu balls, Ganmodoki is a crispy concoction of tofu and finely chopped vegetables typically served with a rice wine dipping sauce.

5. Tonkatsu

Japanese Christmas Food, Tonkatsu

This dish is a delightful meal of deep-fried breaded pork cutlet, which is definitely one to make sure you enjoy at Christmastime. This main dish features a crispy, crunchy pork cutlet that is cut into strips, and then drizzled with a delicious sauce, and served with rice.

Christmas Cake in Japan

Japanese Christmas Food, Christmas Cake

Like most countries, Japan celebrates with various cakes and other sweets during the holiday. The traditional Christmas cake in Japan is similar to a strawberry shortcake and is often decorated with festive holiday embellishments.

Gaining popularity after World War II, the Japanese Christmas cake has become a special symbol in Japanese culture. This cake is enjoyed and celebrated during the Christmastime season by representing a stabilized and growing economy following the war and the red and white colors that make up the Japanese flag.

What Is The Most Popular Traditional Japanese Christmas Food?

There are a variety of foods beyond those already mentioned that are enjoyed during Christmas time in Japan. Here are several more popular food items you can expect to see being enjoyed at Christmas.

1. Wagashi

Japanese Christmas Food, Wagashi

Deliciously sweet treats made of mochi and adzuki bean paste, these Japanese confections are often shaped and beautifully decorated with festive elements and designs.

2. Chanmery

Japanese Christmas Food, Chanmery

A specially made drink for children to enjoy. It tastes like carbonated grape juice. The name comes from taking “Champagne” and “Merry Christmas” and allows children to celebrate with a special drink.

3. Potato Salad

Japanese Christmas Food, Mash Potato

This tradition comes from German influence and is commonly seen enjoyed as a side dish during Christmas time.

4. Buche De Noel

Bueche de Noel

Another famous cake at Christmastime, this cake symbolizes good luck and is a rolled cake and decorated to resemble a yule log.

Tips For Ordering Christmas Food In Japan 2024

Japanese Christmas Food

Undoubtedly, the KFC Christmas dinner is Japan’s most widely practiced holiday tradition. To ensure patrons do not have to stand in long lines or possibly miss out on the famous meal, KFC actively encourages patrons to place orders early.

Several weeks before your Christmas meal, consider reviewing the menu KFC offers for the Christmas bucket. Their website will have a full menu of options- the most popular being their “Party Barrel.” Their buckets come in various arrangements, allowing customers to customize their orders fully.

Once you’ve had time to review the menu and make your selections, review availability choices for pickup times at your closest KFC. Their website allows customers to select a time for pickup, with only a predetermined amount of slots available during pickup times. Many of these pickup slots start filling up a month in advance! So consider planning well in advance!

Once you’ve selected your menu items and pickup time, you’ll be prompted to provide KFC with your name and contact information. After submitting all the required information, you’ll receive a receipt. Don’t lose the receipt- you’ll need it at pickup time!

On the day of pickup, if you opted to pay for your order while submitting your meal request, you’ll get to bypass the long lines and go straight to pick up your food. If you decide to pay using cash or card, join the line with your receipt and be prepared to wait for a while.

Christmastime in Japan is a unique experience and a wonderful time to enjoy a variety of memorable foods and dishes. With no shortage of unique entrees and desserts to savor, Christmas in Japan makes for an unforgettable culinary adventure.