What to bring to an Asian Holiday Potluck?
Submitted by Luann Ji
The holiday season is right around the corner, which means family gatherings and LOTS of good food! Especially in some Asian cultures, meals or feasts are an important part of celebrating different winter occasions, whether it’s Christmas or not. It is a cherished tradition and opportunity to bring everyone together and bond over amazing dishes. Here are some popular delicacies to bring to your potluck!
China
Hotpot (火锅 – Huǒ Guō)
Hotpot exists within many Asian cultures. It varies from place to place, but essentially has the same concept: everyone sits together and cooks the ingredients in one big boiling pot. For Chinese people, the pot is typically set up with a divider, separating the spicy and regular broths. The non-spicy broth could range from being a simple chicken stock to a vegetarian mushroom broth. There are many options and you can choose a flavor to your liking. Then, each person adds whatever they wish into the hot liquid until it is cooked. Usually, there are different meat, vegetable, tofu, noodle, seafood, and dumpling options laid out on plates for you to take from and make. Additionally, there are dips or sauces to eat along with the cooked foods. Some common spreads include peanut, oyster, fish, or worcestershire sauces topped with chili oils and herbs. The preparation might seem like a lot, but it is all worth it as it is a fun and delicious way to celebrate the holidays! Also, everyone is guaranteed to find something they’ll like from the diverse display of fixings. Growing up, this was something my family would always do during Christmas. It felt nice being able to enjoy eating lots of my favorite Chinese ingredients while the pot’s hot and aromatic steam kept us warm.
Dumplings (饺子 – Jiǎo Zi)
Dumplings are a shared delicacy among many countries worldwide. However, they are a very popular dish during all sorts of Chinese holidays, especially in the wintertime. Many Chinese potlucks around Christmas time will most likely have plates of different kinds of dumplings. What sets Chinese dumpling apart from other nationalities is the folding or shaping. It all starts with the flour or wheat based dough. Some people will make it from scratch, but others might buy the premade store bought one. Then, you add a good amount of filling into the middle of a wrapper. The filling could be anything, but some common examples include ground pork and leek or egg and chive. Depending on the province or region, the filling ingredients can vary, but they are all quite scrumptious. Now, the folding is important as this is how Chinese dumplings get their iconic look. The circle wrapper gets folded in half, but not all the way. The sides get pushed towards the center to make corners. Then, part of the corner gets pinched to the center. There are so many ways dumplings are made, but this is just one well known style. From here, they are cooked by boiling or frying them. Boiled dumplings are called 水饺 (shuǐ jiǎo) and pan fried dumplings are named 锅贴 (guō tiē). Both kinds are equally tasty. Once finished, they are consumed with a staple sauce known as Chinese black vinegar or 醋 (cù). It is acidic like normal vinegar, but with some sweet notes. If you are feeling bold, some will even mix chili oils with this condiment. Overall, dumplings are a crowd pleaser and favorite among the Chinese community. It’s a simple, yet classic dish that is perfect for a gathering and preparing it could be an amazing chance to spend time with family members. Even though I still have some work to do, making dumplings is a special pastime of mine. I have so many fond memories of cooking them with my mother and grandparents or enjoying mouthfuls of them with friends at parties.
Japan
Christmas Cake (Kurisumasu Keki – クリスマスケーキ)
Christmas is the perfect occasion to indulge in sweets. In Japan, they like to make Kurisumasu Keki (– クリスマスケーキ) or Christmas cake. It is a sponge cake with layers of fresh strawberries covered in whipped cream. The treat is popular among many households and is a symbol of prosperity. After World War II, Japan was left with economic troubles and food shortages. It was considered a luxury to come across sweet treats that Americans gifted. When the ingredients for this recipe like sugar, milk, and butter became more available, Japanese families would bake the dessert as a way of showing they had “made it.” Additionally, it’s colors and shapes hold significance. The red and white looks like the country’s flag and the roundness reminds people of shrines. Now, it is a widely accepted tradition during Christmas.
Kentucky Fried Chicken
A truly unexpected surprise indeed. In 1974, the fast food brand KFC in Japan put out an advertisement for “Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii” or “Kentucky for Christmas.” Former President of the chain in Japan, Takeshi Okawara, came up with the brilliant marketing idea after overhearing foreigners saying how they missed eating Turkey for Christmas. He created and implemented the party barrel which consists of special family style meals with chicken (of course), cake, and wine. The luxurious delicacy is ordered ahead of time because of how popular it has become. In December, Japanese KFC stores are usually busy with an increase in demand for its Christmas dinners.
Philippines
For many Filipinos, Noche Buena is a huge celebration. It takes place the evening before Christmas and consists of a massive feast after the Mass of the Rooster or “Misa de Gallo.” Additionally, there are other festivities like dancing and fireworks that happen during this holiday.
Macaroni Salad
This well known dish is a staple at a Noche Buena feast. It is a delicious mix of pasta, chicken, pineapple, cheese, ham, raisin, carrot, egg, and condensed milk. Sometimes, it is prepared more sweet, but also it can be savory. Overall, it’s an easy thing to make and bring to a Filipino holiday gathering that will surely be recognized.
Bibingka
If you’re thinking of bringing something sweet to a Noche Buena dinner, then look no further. Bibingka is a coconut rice cake that is especially consumed during this Pinoy holiday. Traditionally, it is wrapped in banana leaves and made in a clay pot to add aromatic flavor. The ingredients include rice flour, sugar, coconut milk, eggs, and cheese. Some will even use salted duck egg to add a bit of savoriness.
Works Cited
Barton, Eric. “Why Japan celebrates Christmas with KFC.” BBC, 19 Dec. 2016, https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20161216-why-japan-celebrates-christmas-with-kfc.
Bruzek, Alison. “Japan’s Beloved Christmas Cake Isn’t About Christmas At All.” NPR, 16 Dec. 2014, https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/12/16/369830094/a-christmas-cake-that-isn-t-about-christmas-at-all.
Manalo, Lalaine. “Filipino-style Macaroni Salad.” Kawaling Pinoy, 29 Sept. 2018, https://www.kawalingpinoy.com/filipino-style-macaroni-salad/.
Osborne, Arlyn. “Bibingka.” The Spruce Eats, 27 Sept. 2021, https://www.thespruceeats.com/bibingka-recipe-5105156.
Veneracion, Connie. “The Noche Buena Feast or Christmas in the Philippines.” The Spruce Eats, 18 May 2021, https://www.thespruceeats.com/philippine-noche-buena-feast-3030319.
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