Holiday Food Traditions from Around the World

As you start to prepare the menus for your holiday feasts, this can be a great time to learn about the history and traditions of other cultures. Educating yourself on other cultures can create a greater appreciation for your own beliefs while exposing you to the viewpoints of other societies. Here are five different holiday food traditions from around the world.

Yebeg Wat from Ethiopia

A holiday favorite in Ethiopia, yebeg wat is a lamb stew that’s closely related to their national dish, doro wat. Other ingredients in the stew include onions, tomatoes, garlic, kibbeh, and a mixture of spices. The stew is traditionally served with a flatbread called injera.

Christmas Pudding in England

If you want to add some excitement to your dinner table, Christmas pudding could be exactly what you’re looking for. This flower-based concoction also has dried fruits, nuts, and spices. So what causes the excitement? The dessert is typically doused in brandy or whiskey before being lit on fire and served.

Japanese Takeout

In Japan, a traditional meal served at Christmastime is Kentucky Fried Chicken. The fast-food chain is responsible for feeding an estimated 3.6 million Japanese citizens annually for the holidays, with orders being placed as early as two months in advance. Beginning in 1974, the “Kentucky for Christmas” campaign has become synonymous with the holiday season; the carryout meals also include a festive salad and chocolate cake.

Hanukkah Brisket

The next of our holiday food traditions from around the world isn’t central to one nation. Serving brisket during the Jewish holiday celebration of Hanukkah is traditional. The meal is also a favorite for many other Jewish holidays, including Rosh Hashanah and Passover. Though there’s some debate on the proper way to prepare the meat, the result is a flavorful dish sure to please all your guests.

Oysters and Desserts

Several popular holiday dishes in France consist of seafood. Oysters, which are also delicacies in American culture, are a huge part of the Christmas Day feasts throughout the country, and it isn’t uncommon to find them on dinner tables up through New Year’s Day. Another very popular French holiday tradition is a dessert called bûche de Noël, or “Christmas log.”

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Pancakes

Strawberries

Chocolate

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