Thai Smiles Japanese Styles
During December in Japan, commercial districts and shopping areas are adorned with spectacular illuminations. Couples walk hand-in-hand in the cold air beneath the sound of Ode to Joy, creating a deeply romantic atmosphere.
People purchase boxes of KFC fried chicken and the quintessential Japanese Christmas Cake, a strawberry shortcake decorated with snow-white whipped cream.
In the shopping streets, children tug their parents' hands, gazing at toys and delicious treats through storefront windows, anticipating a special gift from Santa.
The Christmas season in Japan may not be intrinsically linked to the birth of Jesus Christ, but that does not diminish the warmth shared with loved ones and cherished individuals.
This special time offers a perfect opportunity to convey affection through The Language of Consideration, sharing warmth, dishing out comfort food for one another.
Japanese Christmas would be incomplete without fried chicken. This tradition is heavily influenced by the 1974 KFC Japan campaign: “Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkī!” (Kentucky for Christmas!), which established the glamorous image of a festive fried chicken set.
It is undeniable that a generous plate of piping hot, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside chicken creates excitement for everyone.
On a special night where you can truly indulge and enjoy the moment, crispy Karaage served with various sauces, be it shoyu, mayonnaise, ponzu, lemon, or tartar…transforms simple fried chicken into a delicious meal that perfectly suits everyone's taste.
Luxurious premium beef and red wine sauce are the golden pairing that transforms any dish into a fragrant, festive centerpiece. The subtle acidity of the red wine tenderizes the beef; its bitter-sweet notes, intertwined with a gentle woody aroma, make the special premium cut even more succulent and refined.
Let the rich flavor of tender beef this season be a time to reward yourself and acknowledge the effort and struggles you have shared throughout the year.
Under the cold weather, what could be more comforting than a white cream stew with a mellow, cheesy aroma?
This dish is a signature Japanese favorite cherished by children. When Japanese people think of stew, they don't envision a brown, hearty soup with large chunks of meat; they imagine a creamy white soup, fragrant with cheese and gently salted, smoothed by the richness of milk.
The white sauce of the cream stew coats warm potatoes and bright green broccoli, harmonizing with the sweetness of carrots. The milk-braised meat is exceptionally tender and pairs perfectly with both Japanese rice and French bread.
For homes where dairy is not preferred, Hot Pot is the seasonal comfort food that offers equal warmth to the soul.
The image of family and loved ones gathered around the table to share white cabbage, tofu, shiitake mushrooms, and thin slices of meat is the Language of Care unspoken:
“You haven’t been eating enough vegetables lately.”
“Are you tired from work? Eat lots of meat.”
“You like mushrooms, right? These are for you.”
The language of Hot Pot truly provides authentic Japanese family warmth, and that is the very heart of Christmas: a day when we prioritize giving and family.
The season of premium fruits, the pride of prefectures across Japan, is an unmissable part of the Japanese winter.
Grapes that have accumulated juicy sweetness and possess a uniquely fragrant aroma characteristic of their variety. Japanese apples and honeycore apples, carefully cultivated by farmers, achieve perfect sweetness from the balanced cold and warm sun, offering a delightful crunch and aroma.
Japanese fruits in winter represent the pride of the Japanese people who tirelessly develop the best possible varieties. Though the price may be high, their exquisite taste makes them the perfectly appropriate dessert for this special festive occasion.
The shape of whole strawberries atop white cream, lightly dusted with powdered sugar like a snowy night. When sliced, it reveals soft cake layers interspersed with red strawberries. The not-too-sweet cake flavor, balanced by the slight tartness and sweetness of the strawberries, perfectly suits the Japanese preference for ingredient simplicity.
This red-and-white cake, eaten after a special meal, is the flavor of joy, allowing children to dream of Santa's red and white suit against a snow-covered city night.
The Christmas Cake is, therefore, a taste held dearly in the hearts of many Japanese children, the very flavor of dreams on Christmas Eve.
Christmas spent with a partner.
Christmas spent with family.
Christmas that creates dreams for children.
Regardless of the form it takes, Christmas remains a special time for everyone.
On the coldest night of the year, if there is a special chance to convey your care to someone and spend a little more time with family, seize it.
May this Christmas be a night of mutual care and consideration.
And we wish to be a part of that wonderfully special time of yours.
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