Christmas dinner traditions from around the world
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Ever tire of the usual roast turkey with all the trimmings? According to a YouGov poll, 10 million turkeys are consumed on Christmas Day in the U.K.
It is said that the tradition of eating turkey began after Henry VIII started scarfing it at Christmas, and it was also made popular by being referenced by Charles Dickens in his book “A Christmas Carol.”
However, turkey isn’t the food of choice for everyone — various countries have different culinary traditions, from a bucket of fried chicken to salted cod to curried goat. Below, we show you different traditions around the globe.
Sweden
Swedes tend to celebrate similarly to other Nordic countries. The menu is smorgasbord-style, with a julbord — or buffet. Typical dishes include pickled herring, cold cuts of different meats, sausage and meatballs, red beet salad, cheese and cabbage.
Poland
Usually, Christmas dinner (Wiglia) is a meat-free affair and happens on Christmas Eve. People break wafers with one another before tucking into dishes such as red beetroot borscht, dumplings, cabbage rolls, carp, herring, pierogi and braised sauerkraut. For dessert, there is usually gingerbread, poppyseed cake and dried fruit.
Japan
Japan doesn’t have a traditional Christmas by any means. In 1970, the first KFC fast-food chain opened in Nagoya, where the owner sold a “‘party barrel,” similar to the traditional Christmas turkey dinner. This proved so popular that now orders have to be made two months in advance.
Venezuela
Venezuelans have a tradition of serving hallaca, which takes a long time to prepare. It’s a meat dish that typically includes pork and chicken with raisins, olives, capers and onions folded together in corn dough and wrapped in a banana leaf.
Germany
Medieval tradition saw Germans fasting between St Martin’s Day on Nov. 11 and Christmas, breaking their fast with goose — leading to it being the traditional bird on Christmas Day. Goose is usually served with spaetzle (a type of pasta), knodel (dumplings) and red cabbage. Gingerbread cookies called lebkuchen are generally on offer for dessert.
Jamaica
Christmas dinner consists of curried goat, stewed oxtail, fruits, meat and punch, all prepared the night before. Dessert can be rum cake with brandy custard.
France
The French have a similar dinner to the U.K. and a traditional dessert called buche de Noel, a version of the yule log. It looks like an actual log and is made from sponge cake and chocolate buttercream.
Brazil
Brazilians have a feast on Christmas Eve, which continues into the early hours of Christmas Day. Bacalhau (salted cod) is usually served alongside a roasted chicken with palm heart stew and cassava salad dishes.
Italy
Italy is divided when it comes to traditions. Southern Italians and Italian Americans have what is known as the “Feast of the Seven Fishes.” This is seven different fish dishes served in soups, pasta, starters and mains. Meanwhile, those from the Piedmont region near Switzerland celebrate with pasta filled with meat, known as agnolotti, while Romans have a fish-based soup known as minestra di pesce. A common tradition shared throughout Italy is panettone — a sweet bread with sultana raisins, candied oranges and other dried fruits.
Spain
Traditional Christmas meals in Spain consist of various tapas dishes, including a seafood soup before the main course of fish and lamb. Turron, a nougat mix of honey, sugar, egg whites and almonds, is a tradition for dessert.
Puerto Rico
Roast suckling pig is traditional in Puerto Rican households, and is slow-cooked and served with a coconut rice pudding called tembleque, meat pastries called pasteles and coquito, which is similar to eggnog with a coconut taste.
Peru
Like in Puerto Rico and many other South American countries, roast suckling pig is a big part of the Christmas feast. Peruvians also include paneton, similar to the Italian bread, and a spiced hot chocolate made with cloves and cinnamon, which is enjoyed at chocolatadas, events where family and friends gather to celebrate.
Philippines
Christmas dinner is known as Noche Buena in the Philippines. Celebration dishes include puto bumbong (a sweet black and white rice with shredded coconut), buko pandan (pandan-flavored gelatin mixed with coconut and cream), lechon (spit-roasted pig), queso de bola (cheese balls) and lumpia (spring rolls).
Greece
Many people fast before the Christmas meal in Greece. The first meal is usually avgolemono, a chicken and rice soup with egg yolk and lemon. Pork with cabbage is also on offer with Christopsomo (Christ’s bread), baklava and melomakarona for dessert — a cookie made with cinnamon, cloves and orange in syrup with nuts.
Lithuania
Kucios is a Lithuanian Christmas dinner, which is served on Christmas Eve. Twelve dishes are usually presented to represent each apostle. The menu contains no meat or dairy and is cold. Typically on the menu are many herring salads, smoked eel, sauerkraut, mushrooms and kuciukai (small cookies with poppy seeds).
Bottom line
Christmas dinner doesn't have to be boring and predictable. If you’re not hosting at home (and even if you are), take some inspiration from around the world and gorge on something different.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.