Is Christmas dinner always about roast turkey and pudding? Not quite. In many countries, the festive table looks very different —from Japan’s famous KFC dinner to Italy’s pillowy panettone and the Philippines’ grand lechon feasts. This infographic highlights the cultural quirks, traditions and surprising dishes that define Christmas across the world

Japan’s KFC Christmas dinner

A modern tradition where fried chicken becomes the centrepiece, pre-ordered weeks in advance and shared as a festive family meal.

Italy’s Panettone

Light, airy and studded with candied fruit, this Milanese cake crowns Italian Christmas celebrations across regions.

Philippines’ Lechon

A grand whole-roasted pig with crackling skin, lechon is the heart of Filipino Christmas feasts and family gatherings.

United Kingdom’s Christmas Pudding

Dark, dense and spiced, this fruit-rich pudding is steeped in ritual and tradition, often made weeks before Christmas.

France’s Bûche de Noël

A yule-log-shaped cake of sponge and cream, blending festive symbolism with French patisserie finesse.

Which dish would you love to try? Tell us in the comments.