No Christmas turkey dinner – think KFC, butter chicken and a Coke, or braised pork and eggs, say Asian chefs

For Asian chefs like Kang Min-goo of Mingles in Seoul and Hansik Goo in Hong Kong, Christmas is more a day to share with loved ones than to eat a special meal

Egyptians do eat turkey at Christmas – a colonial British legacy, says chef Mohsen Gaber Ibrahim – and, whether Muslim or Christian, share cookies and tarts

Reading Time:5 minutes

Satoru Mukogawa, executive chef of Sushi Kuu in Hong Kong, decorates a Christmas tree with his son. For many families in Japan, Christmas Day is “always KFC and a cake with a Santa Claus candle on top”, he says. Photo: Satoru Mukogawa

Published: 12:15pm, 18 Dec 2020Updated: 12:17pm, 18 Dec 2020

Christmas is not just for Christians any more. As the holiday has transcended its religious origin, it has been adopted by people around the world as a celebration of peace, joy and merriment. Just as Rudolph the reindeer and Santa Claus are now as common for holiday decorations as baby Jesus, a Christmas feast is not defined by a turkey and stuffing.

A survey of some top chefs from non-Christmassy countries shows you can enjoy a meal from any cuisine you like.

Kang Min-goo, South Korea

From his home in Seoul, where he has the two Michelin-star restaurant Mingles, Kang Min-goo, chef of Hansik Goo on Lyndhurst Terrace, in Hong Kong’s Central business and entertainment district, sees the decorations set up around the South Korean capital. Although primarily a Buddhist country, South Korea has seen Christmas grow in popularity since the Korean war.

Kang Min-goo has never taken a break during Christmas. Photo: Jonathan Wong

“There is large number of Christians in Korea, so Christmas is a very important holiday. But even if you’re not [Christian], isn’t Christmas in itself a time of excitement for everyone?” Kang asks rhetorically. “Unfortunately, since I started cooking, I have never taken a break during Christmas.

“There is not much culture of eating specific foods [in South Korea] such as pumpkin pie or turkey. Christmas is just a day to have a good time with family and loved ones. It is meaningful for gatherings, eating out or having a party at home. But there are no specific foods.”