Adding Festive Flair with Christmas Delicacies from Around the World
Contributed by Kayley
Christmas Food around the world
As we finally approach the end of the year with Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve just around the corner, the city is filled with a romantic festive atmosphere. It’s a great time for gift-giving and an excellent opportunity to indulge in delicious food. Hong Kong has never had a distinct Christmas cuisine; it has always drawn inspiration from European and American traditions. In the past, turkey and pudding were inseparable from the festivities. Still, today, there’s a wide array of exquisite buffet, fine dining experiences, Michelin-starred restaurants, and fusion cuisine to elevate the celebrations. In fact, different countries have their own special Christmas feasts, making the holiday season even more atmospheric.
United States
Roasted Turkey
Americans roast turkey for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Many Christmas traditions in the United States actually originated from the UK. When English settlers first arrived in North America in the 16th century, they faced food shortages, and the local Native Americans provided turkeys. Since then, newcomers have regarded turkey as a symbol of gratitude. Americans also continue to use turkey as a Christmas dish, often paired with sweet potatoes and a layer of butter on top, creating a deliciously sweet flavor.
United Kingdom
Christmas Turkey
The Christmas feast in the UK is quite abundant, featuring roasted pork, turkey, Christmas pudding, pies, and more. The tradition of eating Christmas turkey in the UK has a history of over 300 years. British people enjoy preparing turkey themselves, stuffing it with a generous amount of carrots, celery, onions, chestnuts, and more, and then applying various spices to the surface before roasting it in the oven.
Sweden
Roast Pork
Traditional Swedish Christmas food is called Julskinka, which is a pork butt. With the spread of the mixture of salt, pepper, mustard, and egg yolk on the surface of the pork, coated with breadcrumbs and roasted. Once it is cooked, it is usually sliced and served with sauce, or it can be used in sandwiches as well.
France
Christmas Log Cake
The Christmas Log Cake (Bûche de Noël) is a traditional Christmas dessert in France and is now popular in many European countries. In the past, Germanic people used to burn an entire tree trunk as a symbol of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new year with hopes of peace. In the late 19th century, pastry chefs took inspiration from this tradition and created a rolled sponge cake resembling a tree trunk. They would coat the outer layer with chocolate or cream-flavored icing and often use the icing to create the appearance of a tree bark. This cake is typically shared or gifted to loved ones on Christmas Eve for a joyful celebration.
Finland
Christmas Ham
In Finland, people have Christmas ham (Joulukinkku) during Christmas. It’s salt-cured pork coated with breadcrumbs, slow-roasted at a low temperature, and served in thin slices.
Germany
German Christmas Cake
In Germany, Christmas food includes roast goose, macaroni salad, marzipan, oatmeal porridge, gingerbread, suckling pig, and German white sausages. The signature Festive dessert is the German Christmas cake (Stollen), made by kneading dough, nuts, dried fruits, and butter together, then sprinkling with sugar. The cake can be stored for a long time and is sliced and enjoyed by family members in the four weeks leading up to and following Christmas.
Philippines
Roasted Suckling Pig
Christians and Catholics in the Philippines traditionally enjoy a whole roasted suckling pig on Christmas Eve. They place a small yellow cheese in the mouth of the roasted pig. Other main dishes include Christmas ham, Italian pasta, and the festive red cheese (Edam cheese).
Australia and New Zealand
Seafood Platter
In the southern hemisphere, December is right in the midst of a scorching summer, and Australians and New Zealanders both love to celebrate Christmas with barbecues, seafood platters, Pavlova, and Christmas pudding.
Early Bird Discount up to 10% Off
Book La Casa Catering Christmas buffet catering, cocktail parties, or party packages before November 15th to enjoy various early bird discounts. We also offer a Special Christmas buffet Package option for you to choose from.
