13 Christmas Meals from Around the World to Try
The holiday season is a time to indulge in festive meals, and what better way to celebrate Christmas than by exploring traditional Christmas dishes from different cultures around the world? From savory stews to sweet treats, each country has its own unique Christmas food traditions, showcasing different types of food and types of cuisines that reflect the different culture food preferences.
Whether you're seeking a new Christmas dinner idea or curious about Christmas meals from around the world, this list will introduce you to 13 traditional Christmas dishes around the world. Let’s dive into some of the most popular Christmas foods around the world!
1. Denmark: Julesild (Christmas Herring)
A beautifully presented plate of Julesild, Danish Christmas herring marinated in flavorful sauces.
In Denmark, Julesild is a popular Christmas starter. This dish features herring marinated in various pickling sauces, including mustard, curry, and vinegar. It's often served with rye bread and butter. Known for its tangy and slightly sweet flavor, it’s a staple of Danish Christmas food.
2. Poland: Barszcz (Beet Soup)
In Poland, Barszcz is traditionally served as the first course of the Christmas Eve dinner. This vibrant beetroot soup is often enjoyed with uszka (small dumplings filled with mushrooms and sauerkraut). The dish is a beloved part of Polish Christmas foods around the world and is known for its rich, earthy flavors.
3. Philippines: Bibingka (Rice Cake)
A traditional Filipino Bibingka rice cake, garnished with salted eggs and cheese for a sweet and savory holiday treat.
A sweet Christmas food around the world is Bibingka, a Filipino rice cake made with rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar, baked in clay pots lined with banana leaves. It’s often topped with salted eggs and cheese, offering a unique balance of sweet and savory flavors. This festive dessert is typically enjoyed after the Simbang Gabi Christmas Mass.
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4. Goa, India: Sorpotel
In Goa, Sorpotel is a rich and spicy pork dish that’s commonly served during Christmas. It’s made with marinated pork, vinegar, and a variety of spices, simmered to perfection. This dish reflects the influence of Portuguese cuisine on Goan food, making it one of the most popular types of food in this region during the holiday season.
5. Sicily, Italy: Buccellato
A stunning Sicilian Buccellato, a traditional Christmas pastry filled with fruits and nuts, showcasing vibrant holiday colors.
Sicilian Buccellato is a traditional Christmas pastry filled with a rich fruit mixture, often including raisins, almonds, and candied citrus peel. Shaped like a ring, this sweet bread is often enjoyed with a glass of wine or as part of the Italian Christmas dinner. Its distinctive flavor and festive appearance make it a favorite during Christmas meals from around the world.
6. Finland: Lanttulaatikko (Swede Casserole)
In Finland, Lanttulaatikko is a must-have on the Christmas table. This creamy casserole is made from mashed rutabaga (swede), sugar, butter, and spices. Often served alongside roasted meats and other hearty dishes, it’s a Christmas food that offers both comfort and flavor.
7. Mexico: Ponche Navideño (Christmas Punch)
Ponche Navideño is a traditional Mexican drink that’s perfect for warming up during the holiday season. This festive punch is made with fresh fruits like guavas, apples, and oranges, simmered with cinnamon, sugar, and sometimes rum. It’s a key part of Christmas dinner from around the world in Mexico and brings a sweet, aromatic finish to the festive meal.
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8. Spain: Sopa de Galets (Pasta Soup)
Galets are large, shell-shaped pasta often served in Sopa de Galets, a traditional Spanish soup served during Christmas. The soup is made with a rich broth and is typically filled with small meatballs or sausage. This flavorful and hearty dish is a mainstay of Christmas meals from around the world in Spain.
9. Puerto Rico: Pasteles (Stuffed Plantain Leaves)
Delicious Puerto Rican Pasteles, wrapped in plantain leaves and filled with seasoned meat, a holiday favorite.
Similar to tamales, Pasteles are made from masa (a dough of green plantains and root vegetables) and stuffed with meat or chicken, then wrapped in plantain leaves and boiled. A popular Christmas meal from around the world in Puerto Rico, Pasteles are often served during Nochebuena (Christmas Eve dinner).
10. Norway: Pinnekjøtt (Salted Lamb Ribs)
Norway’s Pinnekjøtt is a dish made with salted and dried lamb ribs that are steamed and served with potatoes and mashed rutabaga. It’s a traditional part of the Norwegian Christmas foods around the world and is often paired with a rich sauce. This hearty dish is a true symbol of Norway’s festive dining traditions.
11. South Africa: Malva Pudding
Malva pudding is a rich, spongy dessert from South Africa that’s typically enjoyed during Christmas celebrations. Made with apricot jam, sugar, and cream, it’s a comforting dish that pairs beautifully with custard or ice cream. This traditional Christmas dish is a sweet end to a Christmas meal and a beloved treat in South Africa.
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12. Germany: Feuerzangenbowle (Flaming Punch)
A unique Christmas food from Germany is Feuerzangenbowle, a festive hot punch served with a dramatic flair. A sugarloaf is set on fire and drips into a spiced wine base, creating a delicious, warming drink. This Christmas meal is typically enjoyed with friends and family around a cozy fire, making it a festive and memorable experience.
13. Brazil: Farofa (Toasted Cassava Flour)
In Brazil, Farofa is a popular side dish made from toasted cassava flour, often served with roasted meats and other holiday dishes. This savory accompaniment is a staple of Brazilian Christmas dinner and showcases the country’s diverse types of cuisine and food types. It adds a crunchy texture to the festive spread.
Order Your Favorite Christmas Meals from Around the World with Amenify Food Delivery
This Christmas around the world food journey wouldn't be complete without enjoying these delicious dishes from the comfort of your own home. At Amenify, we offer convenient food delivery services, bringing these traditional Christmas dishes from local restaurants in your area right to your doorstep. With over 500 cities across the USA, you can easily order your favorite Christmas meals from around the world from local restaurants in your area.
Whether you’re craving Bibingka from the Philippines, Pinnekjøtt from Norway, or Farofa from Brazil, Amenify can help you experience the tastes of different cultures food without leaving your home. Enjoy festive meals that bring the flavors of the world to your table, all through one easy app.
Conclusion
Christmas is a time for celebrating traditions, and what better way to honor Christmas around the world food than by exploring these 13 unique dishes? From savory stews to sweet desserts, each dish tells a story of its country’s types of cuisine and holiday customs. This year, mix things up and bring the world to your holiday table with Christmas meals from around the world.
Order from Amenify for an easy, festive dining experience and savor Christmas foods around the world in the comfort of your home!
FAQs
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A 12-course Christmas dinner is a festive multi-course meal, typically featuring various appetizers, soups, main dishes, side dishes, and desserts, often symbolizing the 12 apostles. It is popular in countries like Poland and parts of Eastern Europe.
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Five special Christmas dishes include roast turkey, ham, Buccellato (Italian fruitcake), Pinnekjøtt (Norwegian salted lamb), and Bibingka (Filipino rice cake).
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Roast turkey is one of the most popular Christmas foods worldwide, often served as the main dish along with stuffing and gravy in many countries.
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Different cultures enjoy unique Christmas meals, such as Feuerzangenbowle (German flaming punch), Ponche Navideño (Mexican Christmas punch), and Sorpotel (Goan pork dish).
