10 Delicious Dishes Served At Christmas In Different Countries

Illustration of Christmas specialties in various countries (Unsplash/Jed Owen)

JAKARTA – The dishes served represent culture related to how to process food ingredients and in addition to natural conditions that determine the availability of ingredients. At Christmas, each country has its own tradition to enjoy the big day that falls at the end of the year.

Interested in looking for inspiration from what is served at Christmas in various countries? The following is a list of 10 foods that are commonly served to accompany family events.

1. Chile – Pan de pascua

According to Chileans, Christmas is a time for all families to gather. Various dishes are served at the table, such as vegetables, potatoes, Chilean wine or sometimes red wine. The food that is considered a tradition and served at the dinner table is 'pan de Pascua' or called fruitcake.

Illustration of a typical Chilean cake served at Christmas (Unsplash/Brett Jordan)

2. Colombia - Bunuelos

In Colombia, at Christmas you will find many traditional foods. This traditional food is called bunuelos. Bunuelos are made from corn flour and fresh cheese. Fresh cheese in Colombia is called queso fresco, it will be the filling of the fried bread. Besides bunuelos, pudding (natilla) and dry pastry with orange flavor (hojuelas) will be served.

Illustration of bunuelos, a typical Christmas menu in Colombia (iStockphoto)

3. Cuban – Rum cake

Cuba as a Latin American country, every Christmas has a tradition of family gatherings and celebrations. The main dishes are black bean soup and rice. But on the special night served rice pudding and rum cake.

4. Czech – Fish soup

According to tradition, before Christmas people will fast. When breaking the fast, Christmas bread is served in the afternoon. It usually starts with an appetizer, such as cuban fish or mushroom soup (similar to risoto made from barley). The main menu is fried carp and potato salad.

5. Hungary – Beigli or Bejgli

Each province in Hungary has different traditions. Generally serve carp soup, stuffed cabbage, fried fish and beigli or bejgli. Beigli is a pastry dessert filled with walnuts or poppyseeds.

Illustration of beigli or bejgli, Christmas cake in Hungary (iStockphoto)

6. India – Biryani rice

The custom during Christmas celebrations in India, namely by serving sweet snacks from kidiyo to cookies and fruitcakes. Kidiyo can be called a round donut bathed in caramel.

The dinner menu is biryani rice mixed with lamb, lamb curry, and typical Indian food in general. Not infrequently also serve aloo gobi (hot potato and cauliflower) and jeera (cumin rice).

Illustration of biryani and curry rice (Unsplash/Mario Raj)

7. Jamaica – Chicken Stew

The main dinner menu is goat curry. Some also have a menu of grilled meat, chicken stew, and chicken curry. Rice and beans and rum punch are also served.

8. Greece – Yiaprakia

In northern Greece, as reported by the Taste of Home, Saturday, December 18, it is common to serve yiaprakia. Yiaprakia are cabbage rolls filled with marinated pork. Meanwhile, in some areas, roast lamb is served at Christmas dinner.

In addition to the main course, a rustic sweetbread stuffed with raisins, nuts, cardamom and cloves called christopsomo is also served.

Illustration of a Christmas menu in Greece (Unsplash/Karolina Kolodziejczak)

9. Germany – Stollen

Roast duck, goose or rabbit is the main course of Christmas dinner for Germans. In addition, the most favorites are potato dumplings and red cabbage. The dessert was stolen, a sweet bun similar to a fruitcake.

Dessert illustration for Christmas dinner in Germany (Unsplash/Alina Levon)

10. Austria – Sachertorte

The Christmas menu in Austria, among others, serves fried goldfish. In recent years it has become popular to serve roast turkey. For dessert, a sachertorte, a chocolate and apricot flavored cake originally from Vienna. This cake is not only served at Christmas, but is also a special treat during the holidays.