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A Japanese Christmas
For many people, Christmas conjures up images of family, elaborate dinners and traditions that have lasted for generations. In Japan, the feeling surrounding Christmas is a touch different. It is neither a religious holiday nor a time when families gather en masse. Nevertheless, Christmas is now an integral part of the Japanese street scene. Large cities are decorated with twinkling lights and Christmas markets, stores respond to the festive atmosphere and restaurants offer special Christmas menus. Japanese Christmas is all about atmosphere, romance and... surprising food!
How Christmas found its way to Japan
Traditionally, Christmas is not celebrated in Japan. Christianity forms only a small minority there and Christmas therefore has no religious significance for most Japanese. Nevertheless, Christmas began to become increasingly visible during the 20th century, mainly under the influence of Western countries. After World War II, exposure to American culture increased greatly, through media, businesses and international trade. Stores, hotels and restaurants cleverly capitalized on this, presenting Christmas primarily as a seasonal and atmospheric event.
Instead of a traditional celebration with set rituals, Christmas in Japan grew into a commercial and cultural celebration focused on conviviality, gifts and experience. Especially in large cities, Christmas became a time to unpack with decorations, special menus and winter events; separate from religion, but rich in atmosphere.
Romance
Anyone walking through Japanese cities in December will quickly notice that Christmas is all about atmosphere and experience. Large parts of cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama are transformed with impressive ‘illuminations’: elaborate light installations that make streets, parks and shopping malls sparkle. These light festivals attract millions of visitors each year and are an important part of the winter season. In addition, Christmas markets and winter festivals inspired by Western Christmas markets are appearing with increasing frequency. Think hot drinks, such as Glühwein, seasonal snacks and photogenic decorations.
Christmas in Japan is thus primarily a visual and cozy winter event, focused on enjoying the atmosphere together. That atmospheric setting provides the perfect backdrop for what perhaps typifies Christmas in Japan the most: romance. Unlike the West, Christmas here is not a typical family celebration, but rather a time for couples. Christmas Eve is often seen as a romantic date, similar to Valentine's Day. Restaurants offer special Christmas menus and reservations are sometimes made weeks in advance. Eating out together, viewing lights and experiencing the city in festive atmosphere is key.
Deep-fried chicken from KFC
Perhaps the most surprising Christmas tradition in Japan is eating Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). In the run-up to Christmas, long lines appear at KFC branches and many people order their Christmas meal well in advance. This tradition originated in the 1970s, when Western residents in Japan were looking for an alternative to the classic Christmas turkey. KFC cleverly capitalized on this with the marketing campaign ”Kentucky for Christmas,” known in Japan as ”Kentakkī wa kurisumasu” (ケンタッキーはクリスマス), which grew into an unexpectedly great success.
Since then, fried chicken has been the Christmas dish of Japan. Families, groups of friends and couples enjoy special Christmas sets with chicken and side dishes, often topped with something sweet. And that sweet ending is at least as iconic as the chicken itself: the Japanese Christmas Cake, or kurisumasu kēki.
Christmas cake
In addition to fried chicken, Christmas Cake is an integral part of Christmas in Japan. This kurisumasu kēki (クリスマスケーキ) is quite different from the heavy (Christmas) cakes we know in the West. It is usually an airy sponge cake, made up of layers of soft cake, whipped cream and fresh strawberries. The cake is often finished with a light sprinkling of powdered sugar or simple decorations.
This kurisumasu kēki (クリスマスケーキ) was first sold early last century by a Yokohama pastry shop called Fujiya. The bakery's founder became inspired during his trip to the US to start selling the Christmas Cake at home in Yokohama, where relatively many Westerners lived. Often shared by couples or small parties, the Christmas Cake is a light, festive end to Christmas dinner.
Desserts: not too sweet!
The concept of a ‘dessert’ as the last dish after the evening meal, as we know it in Holland and the West, did not originally exist in Japan. When people in Japan eat something after a meal, the first thing they eat is often fresh fruit. In addition, sweets (besides fruit) were and are eaten, but usually with tea or prior to a tea ceremony.
After a formal meal in Japan, people often matcha (tea) served (not a matcha latte, as matcha is mostly known in the West, but really as ‘tea,’ using only water) and accompanying small sweets: matcha is the ‘tea ceremony tea’ in Japan. However, this is still not really a ’dessert’ or full dish as we know it here; it has another purpose, which is to complement the tea flavor.
”Not too sweet” is often one of the biggest compliments in Japan (and many other Asian countries) when it comes to desserts and sweets. Something can be nice and sweet, but preferably not so sweet that it overpowers the subtle taste of the main ingredients; you want to keep tasting the delicious and unique flavor of the other ingredients. This is also why Christmas Cake is generally very airy and with fresh fruit!
However, due to globalization and influence from the West, you will find the Western concept of a dessert and sweets such as cakes and pies increasingly found in Japan, sometimes even more than the original or traditional Japanese sweets, especially in big cities. Even the Christmas cake (kurisumasu kēki), the Japanese Christmas dessert, is actually not originally Japanese. European desserts or sweets, such as sponge cake, were introduced to Japan by Portuguese and Dutch traders during the Momoyama period (1573-1615) and were known in Japan at the time as namban-gashi (‘southern barbarian sweets’).
Sugar did not become a commonly used ingredient until the Meiji period (1868-1912), which became widely pervasive and spread to all segments of the population (not just the elite) in Japan. Chocolate was also introduced only after 1868. In addition, the word kurisumasu kēki taken directly from the English ‘Christmas cake’ (just pronounce it out loud), but adapted to Japanese pronunciation and spelling: a gairaigo, a type of loanword from other languages (except Chinese) that is very common in Japanese.
Christmas with a Japan touch
Has your attention been caught by the KFC story? Make fried or roasted chicken or turkey with a Japanese marinade this year. This is perfectly possible with products from our range; Japanese cuisine excels in tastemakers!
Did you find the desserts and cake story inspiring? Japanese cuisine also offers plenty of inspiration for desserts. Of course, you can combine endlessly with flavors from your own familiar kitchen. Think of homemade mochi with red bean paste (anko), ice cream, whipped cream, matcha or chocolate - also delicious with coffee, tea or a glass of mulled wine.
Matcha isn't just for drinking, by the way. Use it in tiramisu, ice cream, cake or cookies. It not only gives your desserts a wonderful depth of flavor, but also a spectacular green color. A real hit, especially with the younger generation.
See below for an example of a scrumptious Christmas menu with a Japanese touch!
✦ Aperitif
Cocktail/spritz from fruitsake (e.g.. yuzu or mikan)
or
Mocktail of yuzu juice (self-pressed or pre-made (100% juice)) or shiso syrup
+
Iburigakko (marinated and pickled daikon)
✦ Amuse
Blinis with cream cheese, salmon and tonburi (”country caviar”)
(finished with a drop of ponzu or yuzu soy sauce)
Or
Nori chips with salmon tartare, yuzu and fresh wasabi or wasabi mayonnaise
-> Vega? Replace salmon with marinated (cooked) carrot.
✦ Appetizer
Dashi and miso soup with shiitake, spring onion and tofu
(Finished with a few drops negi-oil)
✦ Main course
Roasted chicken or turkey marinated with yakiniku sauce or sumo miso
+
Salad with a dressing of sakura smoked vinegar, mustard, olive oil, shallot, salt and pepper.
Or
Roasted carrots with honey-miso glaze
+
Potato gratin with light miso, nutmeg and grated cheese
-> Vega? Replace the chicken/turkey with tofu or shiitake
-> Drink there? Japanese rice lower, a dry sake or shiso delight (non-alcohol)
✦ Cheese board
With yubeshi (like fig bread), yuzu marmalade and crunchy nori chips
✦ Dessert
Matcha tiramisu
or
Mochi with ice cream, whipped cream & red bean paste (anko)
or
Trifle with yuzu curd (and possibly. yuzu sake)
-> Drink there? Chokyu syrupy port-like sake or shiso syrup (non-alcoholic)
Want to make it really spectacular? Then take a look at our range of Koppert Cress. From edible flowers to buds and leaves; this is how to make any dish extra festive!