December is the time to light our trees and let Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” become the soundtrack to our lives—this is Christmas in America. But we can’t help but wonder: How is the rest of the world spending Dec. 25? As you sit down to plan your holiday meals, consider branching out with some Christmas foods from around the world. And you can get them right here in Baton Rouge.
China
Christians are a small minority in China, so Christmas is usually only celebrated in China’s large cities. Much like in America, these large cities will decorate their streets with lights and Christmas trees. Families celebrating will feast up on Dec. 25, but with foods typically associated with Chinese New Year’s, such as roasted barbecue pork and soup. To make this happen in Baton Rouge, try eggdrop soup from Omi Restaurant or BRQ Seafood & Barbecue’s barbecue pork.
France
If you’re a night owl, you may enjoy Christmas in France, where the Christmas meal centers around a midnight mass service to usher in the holiday. The meal, either eaten on Christmas Eve or on Christmas morning, consists of saumon fumé, or smoked salmon, which you can get from Maison Lacour served with horseradish cream sauce.
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The French are also big on Christmastime fruits, so head to the produce section of your local grocery store and secure yourself an assortment of apples, pears, oranges and winter melons.
Greece
Like in France, midnight Christmas masses are prevalent in Greece. A tradition in Greece is to dip a wooden cross wrapped with basil into holy water daily during the season. To add some Greek flavor this holiday season, try Zorba’s Greek Bistro’s baklava and its spanakopita, a spinach and feta pie.
India
Christianity is not a big religion in India either, but those who do celebrate Christmas celebrate with church services which feature loads of delicious foods. Apart from their affinity for candy canes, Christians in India will often serve chicken roast, which you can pick up from India’s Restaurant. Its rendition of the meal contains boneless seasoned chicken finished on a slow fire.
Japan
Western Christmas traditions, such as giving presents and sending Christmas cards, have become more popular in Japan over the last few decades. Since the country does not have a large Christian population, the holiday is not viewed as particularly religious and centers more on promoting happiness. Christmas Eve is basically Japan’s Valentine’s Day.
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Wintertime foods in Japan include hot sake, which you can get from Ichiban Japanese Grill and Sushi Bar and “Christmas Cake,” which is often strawberry shortcake. You can get yourself a slice of strawberry shortcake from Eliza Restaurant and Bar.
Fun fact: Since 1970, eating fried chicken from KFC has become a major Christmas tradition in Japan, as part of a marketing strategy to provide a holiday alternative to turkey, which is not a common dish in the country. If turkey isn’t your jam either, you could also follow suit this year.
Mexico
Christmas enthusiasts will be thrilled to learn that in Mexico, the holiday is celebrated from Dec. 12 to Jan. 6. In the days leading up to Christmas Eve, residents will perform the “Posadas,” a reenactment of Joseph and Mary looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Sometimes tamales will take the place of turkey for Christmas dinner. You can find tamales at Los Reyes Mexican Grill and have your choice between beef or pork with chile con carne sauce and cheese.