Japan provides perhaps the most surprising answer, as the most popular Christmas meal in the land of the rising sun is a visit to KFC . Yes, you are reading correctly – Kentucky Fried Chicken .
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The Christmas cake happened to fit into this narrative and, at the same time, presented some elements of wagashi that Japanese people would be accustomed to: it shares the round shape and white color of mochi rice cakes, while the same red seen in the strawberries is often used in ceremonial and “lucky” food as a repellent against evil spirits.
Christmas in Japan: Facts and Traditions | JRailPass
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“In Japan, it is customary to eat chicken at Christmas,” says the 30-something Japanese woman. “Every year, I order the party barrel and enjoy it with my family.
The second most popular food was ‘Christmas cakes’, with around 55.5 percent of respondents. Read more Most popular meals to eat on Christmas in Japan in 2018.
Whatever the true origin story, it’s clear on one thing – KFC created a national phenomenon and one of the most popular Japanese Christmas food traditions. Today, around 3.6 million Japanese people tuck into a feast of the Colonel’s fried chicken specialities every Christmas. It’s known by its catchy slogan – known as ‘Kentucky for Christmas!’ or ‘kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!’.
Christmas in Japan: Everything You Need to Know
The Japanese will hand out presents and send Christmas cards, and there are Christmas markets and Christmas cakes. Bizarrely, KFC is the number one Christmas meal, while no Christmas holiday is ever complete inJapan without a trip to Tokyo Disneyland. Here’s everything you need to know about Christmas in Japan.
In the Christian countries the Christmas menu is important and varies from region to region, but in Japan a Christmas menu was never established. However, over time two types of dishes managed to become typical for the Japanese Christmas: the most popular Christmas dish is the Christmas cake, which was sold for the first time at the Fugiya store in 1910.
Over the years, KFC’s Christmas offerings have expanded to include roasted, smoked, and barbecue chicken, but the most popular remains the Christmas Party Barrel, which features fried chicken.
The Japanese New Year (called ‘o shogatsu’) is more like a traditional Western Christmas. New year is the period where families get together, have a special meal, pray and send greetings cards. New year is celebrated over five days from December 31st to January 4th and is a very busy time.
Here’s the crazy reason KFC is the traditional Christmas
With some clever marketing KFC have managed to make themselves the staple food of a Japanese Christmas. Every year the Japanese flock to indulge.
A light sponge cake with plenty of cream and strawberries is the most popular choice not only for Christmas but just generally year round in Japan. Strawberry shortcake is available at all convenience stores, patisseries, and supermarkets, as well as cafes and restaurants.
The fast-food chain responsible for this Japanese holiday tradition is none other than KFC, and fried chicken is the dish that has appeared at many people’s tables for decades now. And yes, if you were wondering, it is still a popular tradition, as KFC is wholly successful in Japan.
In my opinion, this is the most fascinating facet of Christmas in Japan. Thanks to some clever marketing back in the 1970s, Christmas in Japan has become synonymous with Kentucky Fried Chicken. The fast food chain offers special Christmas menu items including cake, stuffing and even wine!.
Why Japan celebrates Christmas with KFC
Every Christmas season an estimated 3.6 million Japanese families treat themselves to fried chicken from the American fast-food chain, in what has become a nationwide tradition.
Its first manager, Takeshi Okawara, came up with the idea of a Christmas meal after hearing foreigners complaining how much they missed their traditional Christmas turkey. The small ovens in Japanese kitchens made it difficult to prepare such a.
But Japan’s love of American fast food does not dim with the Christmas lights once December 25 has come and gone—KFC’s ability to take it’s traditional foods and adapt them to Japanese.
KFC has become a Christmas tradition in Japan thanks to an effective advertising campaign in 1974. (KFC Japan) Around 11 million people are estimated to be eating the same fried chicken meal each.
Christmas meals around the world | The Week
It worked: KFC is so popular in Japan on Christmas Day that the fast-food restaurant takes reservations months in advance — and some franchises even offer table service and alcohol.
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The traditional Japanese christmas food is the Christmas cake, generally made of sponge cake, strawberries and whipped cream. Fried chicken is often eaten on Christmas Day. And yet, Christmas is not a family occassion in Japan. The occassion holds a special meaning mainly for young people, especially women and teenagers.
