10 Traditional Christmas Dishes from Around the World That You Must Try

Lisa Figueroa
9 hours ago
4 min read

Christmas is a favourite time of year and a good excuse to gather family and enjoy food. Wonderful Christmas food is central to the celebration. Planning is essential for Christmas Day

Mary Berry

Christmas is a time when families gather, traditions come alive, and tables overflow with special dishes. Around the world, each country brings its own unique flavours and customs to the holiday feast. Exploring these traditional Christmas dishes offers a delicious way to experience different cultures and celebrate the season. Here are ten traditional dishes served during Christmas in various countries that you should try at least once.

1. Roast Goose from Germany

In Germany, roast goose is a classic Christmas dish. The bird is often stuffed with apples, onions, and herbs, then roasted until the skin is crispy and golden. It is usually served with red cabbage and potato dumplings. This hearty meal reflects the German love for rich, comforting flavours during the cold winter months.

2. Bûche de Noël from France

The French celebrate Christmas with a dessert called Bûche de Noël, or Yule Log. This cake is shaped like a log and made from sponge cake rolled with chocolate or coffee buttercream. It is decorated with powdered sugar to resemble snow and sometimes adorned with meringue mushrooms. This dessert symbolises warmth and light during the darkest time of the year.

3. Tamales from Mexico

Tamales are a staple of Mexican Christmas celebrations. Made from masa (corn dough) filled with meats, cheese, or chilies, they are wrapped in corn husks and steamed. Families often gather to prepare tamales together, making it a festive and communal tradition. The flavours vary by region, but the dish always brings a sense of togetherness.

4. Panettone from Italy

Italy’s Christmas table often features panettone, a tall, dome-shaped sweet bread filled with candied fruits and raisins. This light and fluffy bread originated in Milan and has become popular worldwide. Panettone is enjoyed with coffee or sweet wine and is a symbol of joy and celebration. Personally, I love to make a traditional British pud out of it. In another blog, I'll give you my recipe for Panettone Bread & Butter pudding!

5. KFC Christmas Dinner from Japan

Japan has a unique Christmas tradition of eating Kentucky Fried Chicken. This custom started in the 1970s and has since become a widespread holiday practice. Many families order KFC weeks in advance to enjoy the crispy fried chicken, often accompanied by Christmas cake. This unusual tradition shows how global influences shape holiday customs.

6. Roast Lamb from Australia

In Australia, Christmas falls during summer, so many families prefer lighter meals. Roast lamb is a popular choice, often served with mint sauce and fresh vegetables. The meal reflects the country’s British heritage but adapts to the warm weather with seasonal produce.

7. Fish Dishes from Poland

Polish Christmas Eve dinner, called Wigilia, is traditionally meat-free and focuses on fish dishes. Carp is the most common fish served, prepared fried, baked, or in aspic. The meal includes twelve dishes, symbolising the twelve apostles, and is a deeply spiritual and family-centred celebration.

8. Roast Turkey from the United Kingdom

Turkey is the centrepiece of most British Christmas dinners. The bird is usually roasted and served with stuffing, cranberry sauce, bread sauce, sprouts, (which should have be set on the stove in November to make them soft!), pigs in blankets, sage and onion stuffing, (or if you're at my house, Helzel stuffing, a delicious Ashkenazi Jewish alternative) and roast potatoes. This tradition shares similarities with Thanksgiving in the US but is equally important during Christmas, symbolising abundance and gratitude.

9. Sviata Vecheria from Ukraine

Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner, known as Sviata Vecheria, features twelve meatless dishes representing the twelve apostles. Popular dishes include borscht (beet soup), varenyky (dumplings), and kutia (a sweet grain pudding). This meal is rich in symbolism and reflects the country’s Orthodox Christian traditions.

10. Christmas Pudding from the United Kingdom

Christmas pudding is a dense, steamed dessert made from dried fruits, suet, and spices. It is often prepared weeks in advance to allow the flavours to mature. Traditionally, it is served with brandy butter or cream and sometimes set alight before serving. This dish is a festive finale that brings warmth and cheer to any holiday table.