More than 8 in 10 Americans celebrate Christmas, often with a grand feast that rivals Thanksgiving. While glazed ham and eggnog are holiday staples in the United States, festive tables vary significantly around the world. From Korea’s tteokguk to Brazil’s Chester-style chicken, discover how centuries of tradition shape each country’s holiday flavors.
Christmas is celebrated by millions around the world, but what’s served at the table tells a story unique to each country. Photo credits: Pexels.
Korea’s comforting winter table
“Seollal,” the Lunar New Year, is one of South Korea’s most cherished holidays. Unlike Christmas, which can be celebrated more casually, Seollal is steeped in tradition and togetherness. Celebrated over several days in January or February, it’s a time when loved ones gather to honor their ancestors, share meals and play Korean games.
A central dish during Seollal is “tteokguk,” a rice cake soup that symbolizes good fortune and the transition into a new year of life. Around it, tables overflow with “galbijjim,” tender braised short ribs; “jeon,” golden savory pancakes; and “bulgogi,” beef marinated in Korean BBQ sauce. Families honor their elders with bows, exchange envelopes of New Year’s money and savor the comforting flavors of home.
Mexico’s month-long fiesta foods
In Mexico, Christmas is more than a single day. It’s a season of joy that runs from Dec. 12 to Jan. 6. The festivities begin with Las Posadas, lively processions that reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter. From there, the country moves through Christmas Eve, midnight mass and finally Three Kings Day.
Families prepare beloved dishes like tamales filled with pork or cheese, and pozole, a hearty stew simmered with hominy and meat. To give a modern twist, some cooks add taco sauce for extra flavor while keeping the dish lighter. Sweet “buñuelos,” crisp fritters dusted with sugar, pair perfectly with cups of cinnamon-spiced ponche. The season ends with Rosca de Reyes, a ring-shaped sweet bread filled with dried fruit to mark the arrival of the Three Kings.
Brazil’s tropical feast
Brazil’s Christmas is a vibrant mix of summer warmth and Catholic tradition. Families often spend the day outdoors at beaches, by the pool or in backyard gatherings. On Christmas Eve, many attend midnight mass before exchanging gifts and enjoying a festive dinner.
At the center of many tables is Chester-style chicken, a tender, meaty bird. It can be roasted with Cajun seasoning for a smoky, spicy touch or prepared traditionally with white wine and garlic. Feijoada, the country’s iconic black bean and meat stew, often pairs with “farofa,” toasted cassava flour for crunch. Sweet panettone and “rabanada,” Brazil’s version of French toast, round out the meal, while tropical fruits and chilled salads add color and freshness to the summer celebration.
Nigeria’s Christmas rice
In Nigeria, Christmas comes alive with firecrackers, dancing and feasts that last into the night. At the heart of the celebration is jollof rice, often referred to as Christmas rice. This smoky, tomato-based dish is a staple in West Africa and is typically served with chicken or goat. Tables may also feature pounded yams, rich stews and golden, doughy fritters known as puff-puff. On Christmas Eve, many families host all-night parties before gathering for church services on Christmas morning, blending festivities with faith and tradition.
The Philippines’ 2-tiered feast
Few countries celebrate Christmas like the Philippines, where the holiday season begins as early as September. The highlight of the season is “Noche Buena,” a lavish Christmas Eve feast featuring “lechon,” a whole roasted pig with crispy golden skin and tender meat as the centerpiece. Families serve it with “pancit,” stir-fried noodles that symbolize long life, and “queso de bola,” a red-waxed Edam cheese that adds a festive touch.
At midnight on New Year’s Eve, families gather once again for “Media Noche,” a meal to welcome the new year. A long-standing tradition during this time is to eat 12 round fruits, one for each month, to invite good fortune. Each gathering fills the home with laughter, music and the unmistakable warmth of Filipino hospitality.
A taste of Christmas magic in Germany
Germany captures the magic of the holidays with its world-famous Christmas markets. Some date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, a testament to the country’s deep-rooted traditions. Stalls glow with lights, and the air fills with the scent of roasted nuts and “glühwein,” a hot spiced wine that warms visitors on cold winter nights.
On Christmas Eve, many families enjoy a simple meal of carp with potato salad and sauerkraut. Christmas Day brings a more elaborate feast: roast duck or pork served alongside red cabbage and “kartoffelknödel,” soft potato dumplings. For dessert, “stollen,” a fruit bread dusted with sugar, and “lebkuchen,” German gingerbread cookies, sweeten the season’s celebrations.
A world of holiday flavors
Most Americans celebrate Christmas, but the holiday’s traditions take different forms around the world. From Seoul’s comforting soups to São Paulo’s seaside feasts, holiday cuisine captures how different cultures honor family, faith and the new year. Wherever it is celebrated, this season is about gathering with loved ones and enjoying food that warms both the heart and soul.
Kristen Wood is an award-winning photographer, food writer, recipe developer and certified functional nutrition expert. She is also the creator of MOON and spoon and yum, a vegetarian food blog, and the author of “Vegetarian Family Cookbook,” “Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook” and “Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners.” Her work has appeared in various online and print publications, including NBC, Seattle Times, ABC, Elle, Fox, CBS, Forbes, Chicago Sun-Times and more.
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