What is the equivalent of our noche buena handaan in other cultures?
It won’t be Christmas without noche buena, an extravagant feast that symbolizes the togetherness of Filipino families. Dishes such as lechon, pancit, lumpiang shanghai, and many more are traditionally laid out on the table for everyone to enjoy.
Filipinos would also typically indulge in Filipino delicacies such as puto bumbong and bibingka, some of the most iconic Christmas foods in the Philippines.
But what do other countries serve and celebrate with on Christmas?
READ: From vanishing ‘belens’ to pop-ups of polar bears—the changing face of Christmas in the Philippines
Tamales (Mexico)
In Mexico, while tamales are eaten all year round, the traditional Christmas food embodies the symbol of love and families in Latin communities during the holiday season.
This savory delight is made with masa, a corn-based dough, typically filled with meat, cheese, and vegetables. In some cases, even fruit is wrapped into a leaf before it is cooked.
The origins of tamales date back to the Aztec period when native tribes would celebrate the winter solstice with music and dance while offering this dish to honor their maize goddess Xilonen for luck and prosperity.
You can make your own tamales by combining masa with oil or lard and then filling it up with various fillings such as pork or chicken before wrapping it up delicately in washed, empty corn husks. Let it cook in a steamer for 1.5 to 2 hours before serving. You can check out this recipe from Isabel Eats for more.
KFC (Japan)
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It can be unusual that a world-renowned fast food chain can become the go-to Christmas food in a country like Japan.
Japanese people would often pre-order months in advance and wait in long lines for KFC’s Christmas Buckets, which would often include a bucket of their famous finger-licking chicken, a couple of sides, and a special edition plate.
It is said that December is a particularly busy day for KFC in Japan when daily sales can go up to 10 times the average.
To understand the underlying context, during World War II, Japan’s economic power boomed and they became invested in Western culture, from their clothes to their food, according to Ted Bestor, a Harvard University social anthropology professor in a report by CNN.
He added that KFC’s launch of the “Kentucky for Christmas” marketing campaign was when the party buckets started.
Rooster doro wat (Ethiopia)
During Ganna or the Orthodox Ethiopian’s Christmas celebration, they would showcase their national dish called rooster doro wat, a traditional fiery chicken stew typically served with injera, a fermented flatbread.
This rich stew was believed to have originated in the northern part of the country, Tigray, and would often be served on special occasions such as a wedding or religious celebrations like Ganna. The dish symbolizes joy and family, while the rooster component is used to signify the birth of Christ.
To make rooster doro wat, combine chicken with berbere (a spice mix made up of mainly fenugreek, cardamom, and coriander), aromatics, and hard-boiled eggs. Let the stew simmer for 30 to 40 minutes before serving it with injera. Check out this recipe by Them Bites for more.
Feuerzangenbowle (Germany)
From the country that brought you Oktoberfest, Germany has a popular Christmas hot beverage called Feuerzangenbowle (pronounced as foy-er-tsangen-boh-luh/), which is a traditional German mulled wine.
Served in German Christmas markets, Feuerzangenbowle is translated as ‘fire tong punch’ in the Germanic language. It pertains to the original method of utilizing a fireplace tong to hold the sugar load called Zuckerhut, which is combined with mulled wine. This rum-soaked sugar cone is what makes the Feuerzangenbowle extra special.
In order to make your own Feuerzangenbowle, combine a bottle of dry red wine with holiday spices such as cinnamon sticks, cardamom, and allspice with fruits in low heat to infuse. Make the Zuckerhut with sugar cone and rum and stir it with the finished mulled wine and enjoy. To read the recipe, you can check out The German Way & More.
Buccellato (Sicily)
In the realm of desserts, the Sicilian Buccellato is one of Italy’s most iconic and delicious Christmas foods. This circular cake is filled with dried figs, almonds, pine nuts, and marsala wine.
Buccellato is directly translated to ‘bread to be transformed into buccelli’ or bites in Latin. Its origins can be traced back to when emperors would distribute these breads known as buccella to the people. Later on, the Arab integrated candied fruits and citrus peel into the once simple dough.
To make your own buccellato, you need a shortbread dough mixed with dried figs, almonds, pine nuts, marsala wine, and other spices. After rolling the prepared dough and shaping it into a ring, bake it for 40 minutes. Check out the full recipe by Sicilyaddict.