Christmas in Japan: When the chicken eclipses the turkey

If the modern Christmas Father drinks Coca, for the Japanese, he also eats KFC! Discover today the strange tradition of 100% KFC Christmas meal in Japan.

The winter has put on its big white coat, Santa checks his checklist to be sure not to forget it, the firs shine a thousand-feet in the cottages, the families have come together... The waltz can finally begin.

On the tables of the main European countries, there is a mixture of foie gras, gingerbread , Saint-Jacques shells, turkey to brown, dauphinois gratin and obviously the famous and exquisite Christmas log.

In Japan, at the same time, it is not quite the same atmosphere. While strolling through the streets, we certainly admire the dazzling decorations that decorate the big cities, but we are also surprised at the number of Japanese people who wait in front of the KFC.

Wanderlix offers you today to discover the history of a recent tradition in a country that cannot escape the amercanization of its society.

The Americans long before the KFC

War story...

Festive event par excellence, the story that accompanies it in Japan is not necessarily as joyous and joyful. Indeed, the KFC tradition in Japan is primarily a war affair.

On 7 December 1941, in a context of World War, Japan provokes the United States during the famous Pearl Harbor attack that forces the Americans to take part in the conflict.

Deeply wounded by this attack, the US responded four years later, not in the most peaceful way. And for cause, they dump two atomic bombs on the land of the Levant Sun. Japan cannot stand up from this confrontation and, short of food, ammunition and men, capitula.

On 2 September 1945, this event officially marked the end of the Second World War. However, the Japanese have not finished with the Americans.

Indeed, the winning nations of the Second World War do not wish to reproduce the mistakes of the past that led to the rise of fascism in Europe and to another international conflict.

Also, the Allies opt for a different strategy: helping to rebuild Japan and the Germany staying there for a while. This is how General MacArthur, appointed by American President Harry Truman, finds himself at the head of Japan during “occupation”. A decisive turning point in Japanese history, the beginning of the amercanization of society.

It is therefore mainly through the G.I., the soldiers of the US Army, that the great American brands and firms gradually land on the archipelago. Finish the time of the Samurai and the sushi! Now, Japanese children play soldiers, drink Pepsi, listen to US Rock and eat hamburgers! The American occupation in Japan ended in 1952 after the signing of the San Francisco Treaty, but the influence of the United States remains and prospers.

...and fried chicken

It is only twenty years after the end of the occupation that KFC ( Kentucky Fried Chicken ), the famous American fast food chain, puts its suitcases in the country of the Levant Sun. In the early 1970s, American Way of Life is already very present on the archipelago. Several American chains are located there and are an integral part of the Japanese daily life.

And it is in this context that in 1974, KFC made a real master’s stroke, so far never even equalled!

Indeed, after hearing several Christian expats complaining about having to celebrate Christmas without chicken or turkey, Takeshi Okawara, the first director of KFC in the country, reacts. A brilliant idea crosses his mind: to propose a “feast bucket”, for sale as a waking meal.

The turkey is very rare in Japan, Okawara decides to replace it with fried chicken. KFC thus completes its genius by creating a national advertising campaign entitled Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii : “Kentucky for Christmas” and the tour is played!

Fast food therefore creates a movement that will become a true tradition: the 100% KFC Christmas meal!

Christmas in Japan

As a result, the fast-food chain is fulgurating throughout the country. A master’s stroke whose success is explained in particular by a tradition that has not been known in Japan... Indeed, the Japanese do not celebrate the birth of Christ in the New Year for the simple and good reason that only 2 or 3% of the population is Christian.

However, they resume Western Christmas codes: market with hot wine, decorations in the streets, songs... All ingredients are there to recreate the magic of this period. All of them? No. Because if the family dimension at Christmas is very present in Westerners, it is not at all for Japanese. Indeed, the awakening is for them an event that is celebrated among friends. It is also an opportunity to declare his flame to his or her dull... And eat a good KFC!

In fact, according to the BBC, “3.6 million Japanese families consume this fast food when we wake up.” KFC multiplies its sales by 5 or 10 during this period and totals several tens of millions of euros between 23 and 25 December. For the Japanese, enjoying a KFC at Christmas is a real institution. Some of them order their menu months in advance while others, more expensive, are ready to wait 4 hours to have their favorite fast food on the evening of the New Year’s Eve.

In order to increase their turnover and to further anchor tradition, KFC has diversified its Christmas menus by marketing more and more elaborate dishes. In addition to the uncontourable Christmas Chicken (which does not appear on the map the rest of the year), Japanese can complete their menu with champagne, salad and the famous Kurisumasu kēki , a Japanese Christmas cake based on sponge cake covered with a layer of whipped or chocolate... All for 3.336 yen (about 30 euros). Other menus are also à la carte such as the Christmas Box 100% Poulet.

Other American brands are trying to compete with KFC, without too much success, however, by proposing alternatives to fried chicken. This is the case of Wendy’s who has since 2011 sold his burger to foie gras and truffles for 1,280 yens (a little over 11 euros). Despite these attempts, KFC remains the undisputed and undeterminable leader when it comes to the clock.

If these traditions make you want, without being able to travel and see it Mount Fuji this 24th December, go to the nearest KFC and fly for a 100% Japanese Christmas!

Recipe and preparation chicken karaage

After making you salt throughout this article, Wanderlix highlights the country of the Sun Levant by offering you a fried chicken recipe... but be careful, Asian version! So here's the recipe chicken karaage .

Ingredients

• 300g boneless chicken
• 3 tablespoon of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of baking sake
• 5g fresh ginger chopped
• 2 crushed garlic cloves
• 60 ml of potato starch katakuriko (to wrap chicken)
• Friture oil
• Japanese Mayonnaise (Japanese)kewpie)
• Lemon quarters

Steps

• Cut the chicken into small pieces (leave the skin for more crispy)
• In a salad bowl mix ginger with garlic, soy sauce and cooking sake. Add chicken, wrap it well and let marinate 30 minutes
• Sprinkle any excess liquid and add it katakuriko. Mix until the chicken is fully coated
• Heat oil in a pan until it reaches a temperature of about 180°C. Test the temperature by putting a little flour in the oil: if it sizzles when falling, the oil is hot enough. Fry 3 or 4 pieces at a time, until golden. When ready, remove them from the pan and let them dry on a grill
• Serve cold or hot, with some lemon quarters and a Japanese mayonnaise net