21 Japanese Christmas Food Ideas

Christmas is not an official holiday in Japan, however, in the last century, clever marketing has put this holiday in the minds of citizens. Although December 25 is just another workday, many Japanese have well-rooted traditions for Christmas night dinner. 

Japanese Christmas food: main dishes

From super simple to dishes that take a bit more time to prepare, here are several ideas for the main dishes for Christmas dinner.

1. Fried chicken

Thanks to a brilliant marketing campaign decades ago, fried chicken is synonymous with Christmas across the mostly non-religious country. Pick up a bucket of chicken from the deli, plus a few sides, and you’ve got a ready-made meal. 

2. Pizza

Another Western import for the Christmas holiday, pizza, is an easy meal to serve when the Japanese go about their regular daily schedules. Pick up a few frozen pizzas to cook or make your own with refrigerated pizza dough. 

3. Chirashizushi  

The name of this popular party dish translates to “scattered sushi,” and it’s just that. All of the usual sushi components are found laid out on a platter over a layer of rice. The main difference: the fish is cooked, not raw. 

4. Cream stew 

A hearty stew made with chicken or pork is an excellent complement to a meal or a meal in itself. Packed with veggies like potato, onion, cabbage, and carrots, this creamy soup will warm you up on a cold Christmas day. 

5. Ganmodoki (Japanese tofu balls)

Tofu is mixed with finely chopped vegetables like mushroom, carrot, and onion, then fried until crispy. Serve with a traditional rice wine dipping sauce, or skip it as they’re deliciously eaten on their own. 

6. Tonkatsu (deep-fried breaded pork cutlet)

Crispy on the outside and moist inside, this pork dish is easy to make and satisfying. Cut each piece into strips, place over rice, and drizzle with sauce, if desired. 

Japanese Christmas food: side dishes

No Christmas dinner is complete without a variety of side dishes. Here are several Japanese foods that you should try. 

7. Savory cabbage pancakes

Finely shredded cabbage, carrot, and green onion are used to make these savory pancakes. They cook up fast, which makes them easy to cook for a crowd. Top with chopped green onions and sesame seeds and serve on a platter. 

8. Vegetable tempura

Zucchini, green beans, carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower become irresistible when dipped in this light batter and deep-fried. Serve with or without a dipping sauce and watch the vegetables disappear. 

9. Potato salad

Pick up a ready-made potato salad from the deli or make your own with potatoes, boiled eggs, chopped onion, celery, and pickle relish mixed with a mayonnaise-based dressing. 

10. Fruit salad with yuzu lemon

Put a unique spin on a fresh fruit salad by incorporating some new-to-you fruits like the yuzu lemon. You can use the inner flesh or juice it and use it as a dressing. 

11. Miso soup

Healthy and delicious, miso soup is made from seaweed, miso paste, tofu, herbs, and dashi broth. It cooks up fast and goes well with any Japanese meal. 

Japanese Christmas food: desserts

Sweets in Japan are less sweet than American counterparts but don’t skip over them because you’re afraid your sweet tooth won’t be satisfied. Desserts often include lots of fruit and slightly sweet red bean or matcha paste which makes a little bit go a long way. 

12. Christmas cake

Top a light, fluffy sponge cake with whipped cream and freshly sliced strawberries, and you’ve got the start of the popular tradition of Christmas cakes. Add a cute Santa or tree figurine, and it’s ready to serve. 

13. Wagashi

Made all year round and formed into cute shapes, these semi-sweet confections are filled with matcha, red bean paste, or fruit. 

14. Mochi

Serve strawberry mochi and matcha mochi for a festive display of sweet, chewy glutinous rice treats.

15. Japanese candy strawberries

Mix up this delicious sweet treat by dipping strawberries in a sugar syrup that hardens into a sweet candy shell. Try them once, and you’ll be hooked. Try with other fruits like orange wedges, kiwi slices, cherry tomatoes, and blueberries. 

16. Yule log

These round cakes were made popular thanks to German Christmas markets found in major Japanese cities. Thin sheet cakes are filled with creamy frosting and rolled up, dipped in chocolate, and decorated to look like a festive holiday log. 

17. Honey castella

Not just for Christmas, honey castella is a light and fluffy sponge cake that has just four ingredients. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar, some fruit jam, or chocolate sauce. It’s a versatile dessert that everyone will enjoy. 

Japanese Christmas beverages

Winter in Japan is cold, so warm beverages, including alcoholic ones, are a must. Here are four Japanese-style beverage ideas to try. 

18. Warm sake

Japanese winters are cold, so heating sake (fermented rice wine) is a great way to enjoy a local favorite while staying warm. If you can’t find sake, white wine, and dry vermouth are suitable substitutes. 

19. Punch with yuzu juice

Yuzu is a citrus fruit that tastes like lemon, with a similar tartness. Use bottled yuzu juice in your favorite punch recipe for a fresh new twist on an old favorite. 

20. Chanmery sparkling juice    

While the adults get alcoholic beverages, kids can enjoy sparkling juice that comes in a bottle and is packaged just for them. The name comes from an amalgamation of “champaign” and “merry” and is bought at Christmas and often grape flavored. Since it’s hard to find Chanmery drinks outside of Japan, any sparkling juice is a good substitute for kids and even adults who don’t drink. 

21. Sake sangria

Mix equal parts sake, fruit juice, and lemon-lime soda to make this fruity, boozy drink. Serve in a clear pitcher or bowl, and pour over glasses of ice.

Order ingredients for Japanese foods online

Some less commonly used spices, sauces, and even vegetables used in Japanese cooking can be hard to find. When you order online with Instacart, there’s no need to run to multiple stores to find what you need. An Instacart shopper will have your order ready in as little as two hours, and you can even get it delivered to your door. 

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