Chicken for Christmas

One of the first surprises I had in my first year in Japan was just how different Christmas dinner looks here. Back home in Australia, even though Christmas is in the middle of summer, plenty of families still commit to a full cooked turkey or a glazed ham. The big oven gets a workout anyway because it is part of the tradition.

In Japan, most homes don't have that kind of setup, with the norm being a compact fish grill or a small countertop appliance, neither of which can handle a big ol' bird. As a result, Japan found its own path with chicken for Christmas becoming the norm.

KFC is the most famous example of this, with Christmas Eve chicken becoming a nationwide tradition and requiring advance bookings. What I didn't expect living in a small-ish town was how loads of local mom-and-pop businesses also get in on the chicken trade. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, butcher shops, local restaurants, and cafes start advertising their own festive chickens available for purchase. Rotisserie-style roast chicken, herb-grilled half chickens and bento-style sets all appear as seasonal offerings.

I think there's something very charming about it. I love that local businesses step in to make sure you have something special on the table, even if cooking your own turkey is off the menu.