Unusual Christmas Food Traditions From Across The Globe!

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While we tuck into our roast turkeys and fill ourselves up with several hundred pigs in blankets this Christmas, the rest of the world will be indulging in some very different feasts. And while there are many out there that we feel slightly envious of (BBQ on the beach, anyone?), there are others that have left us feeling a tad confused. Here are some of the strangest Christmas food traditions that we’ve found, and some aren’t for the faint hearted!

Eat KFC in Japan


Yes. You read that correctly. Every Christmas the people of Japan treat themselves to a bucket, with over 3.5 million families joining in the festive fun. Generally, Christmas isn’t that much of a big deal to the Japanese, but why dismiss a national tradition? Any excuse for a bit of fried chicken we say!

Sheep’s Head, Anyone?

 

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Kentucky Fried Chicken at Christmas is something we could definitely get on board with, this on the other hand, we’re not so sure about. Originally eaten before Christmas, smalahove, or sheep’s head as we would call it, is a traditional dish in Norway. The brain is removed, and then after salting and drying, the entire head is boiled or steamed for around three hours before serving. It’s considered a delicacy to many, but we’re not so sure we’d trade it for our turkey!

A Carp in the Bathtub

 

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This seems like a strange Christmas Eve tradition in today’s world, but it’s one that used to be very widespread in Poland. For the Wigilia supper, a carp (a symbol of good luck) would be caught in a river or bought live from a carp farm or supermarket, and then transferred to one’s bathtub for a day or two before being killed just in time for dinner. We bet it tastes pretty good, but perhaps warn your guests before they pop upstairs to use the loo!

Puto Bumbong


To be honest, this isn’t weird at all. But it is purple, and that’s something we don’t see in our traditional Christmas lunch! Eaten during the festive period in the Philippines, this sticky rice (called Pirurutong) with its vibrant colour, is stuffed into bamboo, steamed and topped with butter, shredded coconut and brown sugar. Sounds okay to us!

Who Wants Some Blubber?

 

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We’re not sure we do to be honest, but the people of Greenland love a bit of mattak at Christmastime. The whale skin is served with a strip of blubber inside, and is a firm favourite amongst many – it supposedly tastes similar to fresh coconut. The snack itself is usually swallowed whole as it is too tough to chew, and is best eaten raw.