KFC for Christmas

What do the Japanese eat for Christmas dinner? The answer is chicken, especially Kentucky Fried Chicken. The Japanese adopted the celebration of Christmas from the West, but previously there were not many customs associated with it besides presents and a special Christmas cake. In 1974, KFC started advertising chicken for Christmas. The idea came from a foreign customer saying that he eats chicken on Christmas while in Japan because turkey is not available.

It is quite rare that a company's advertising campaign is so successful that it becomes a Japanese custom. Japan is the only country in which KFC offers set meals for Christmas. The most popular item is called the, "Party Barrel," which includes chicken, salad and a cake. Even though it has to be ordered in advance, the stores still get long line-ups around Christmas.

Japanese Translation

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Romaji Translation

Nihon-jin ga kurisumasu no yuushoku ni taberu mono wa nan deshou. Kotae wa chikin, toku ni kentakkii furaido chikin desu. Nihon-jin wa seiyou kara, kurisumasu o iwau shuukan o toriiremashita ga, hajime wa purezento to keeki gurai shika kurisumasu o musubitsukeru shuukan wa arimasen deshita.

1974-nen ni, kentakkii furaido chikin wa, "Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii" to iu kyanpeen o hajimemashita. Kore wa raiten shita gaikokujin no okyakusan ga, nihon dewa shichimenchou ga te ni hairanai kara, kawari ni chikin o kurisumasu ni taberu to itta koto ga kikkake to natta mono desu. Kaisha no kyanpeen ga daiseikou shi, nihon no bunka to shite teichaku shita, totemo mare na keesu to ieru deshou. Kentakkii furaido chikin no kurisumasu menyuu wa, sekai demo nihon dake no mono to natte imasu. Naka demo ichiban no ninki shouhin wa, "Paatii Baareru" to iu, chikin, sarada, keeki ga setto ni natta mono desu. Yoyakusei ni natte iru nimo kakawarazu, kurisumasu mae ni naru to, mise ni nagai gyouretsu ga dekiru hodo desu.

Note: The translation is not always literal.

Beginner's Phrases

What do the Japanese eat for Christmas dinner?

• Nihon-jin ga kurisumasu no yuushoku ni taberu mono wa nan deshou.
• ?????? ???????????? ?????? ???????
• ?????????????????????????

Click this link to learn how to say "Merry Christmas" in Japanese.