Delicious Christmas dishes from around the world

Traditional Christmas foods vary from country to country. Here are some delicious and interesting Christmas foods from around the world.

Lechon

Roasted pig is a classic dish around the world, but the Filipino version, lechon, was once described by Anthony Bourdain as ' the best roast pig ever .' The dish is so iconic locally that it was eventually designated the national dish of the Philippines. With its crispy skin and soft pink filling, every bite is a taste of the holidays. While Christmas isn't the only time of year when lechon festivals are held across the country, it is the most beloved.

Polvorones

Polvorones are a type of crispy, buttery cookie whose name comes from the Spanish word 'polvo,' meaning dust or dough. They are typically made from sugar, flour, butter, and some nuts. They are most commonly found in Spain during the holiday season.

Latkes

Crispy potato chips, latkes, are a delicacy that can be found year-round in most places. But they are even more popular during Hanukkah, as they are eaten on the holiday to commemorate the miracle of the oil, when a small amount of oil lasted for eight days during the rededication of the Temple in 164 BC.

Barszcz

In Poland, a symbolic Christmas dish is enjoyed on the eve of Christmas, when the first star appears in the sky. Barszcz—or borscht—is a sour beetroot soup (though it was originally made from hogweed), often made with red broth and pickled beets. The original recipe required a week-long process, making for a unique and flavorful Christmas tradition.

Sorpotel

This Portuguese-influenced soup is made with pork, cinnamon, cumin and Kashmiri spices for a flavorful dish. And, while it's traditionally served to celebrate festivals across the region, it's now traditionally made on Christmas Eve to celebrate the holiday.

Kareem Winters

Update 08 December 2025