Thread by @avaeats

snaking lines like a supreme drop in japan—but this line isn’t for a new sneaker release.

or the new iphone.

it’s for christmas chicken.

CHRISTMAS FRIED CHICKEN.

specifically, KFC.
#HappyFoodmas #avaeats

while doing my research on christmas traditions around the world, the christmas fried chicken was a pleasant surprise. as i went down the rabbit hole of fried chicken in japan, i found two very different explanations of its connection to christmas.
#HappyFoodmas #avaeats

in 1970, takeshi okawara was the manager at the first KFC in japan. he overheard foreign customers talking about how much they missed christmas turkey, + that night, the “party barrel” at christmastime came to him in a dream.
#HappyFoodmas #avaeats

if customers couldn’t enjoy a christmas turkey, fried chicken was next best thing.

i agree!
#HappyFoodmas #avaeats

his idea was such a success, it went national four years later, taking on the name “kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii” or kentucky for christmas.

that bright idea was exactly why okawara become president of KFC Japan from 1984 until 2002.
#HappyFoodmas #avaeats

the other explanation is a little cuter:

a christian kindergarten in japan wanted to order KFC for their kiddy christmas party. the school asked the manager to dress as santa + dude pulled up in, suited + booted, saying “merry christmas”
#HappyFoodmas #avaeats

the other kindergartens got word + the santa bringing KFC trend caught on.
#HappyFoodmas #avaeats

of course everyone in japan isn’t eating KFC for christmas dinner (christmas day isn’t even a big holiday in japan, but i’ll touch on that later) but people reserve their buckets in advance to make sure they don’t fumble the bag. or bucket 😅🍗
#HappyFoodmas #avaeats

special packaging and everything.
i mean, i don’t blame them!

i have a friend who lived in japan for two years while he was in the service + he loved the KFC over there.
#HappyFoodmas #avaeats

so in japan, christmas is more about spreading happiness rather than a religious holiday. christmas eve is big tho—it’s thought of as a romantic holiday, like valentine’s day, so couples exchange presents and spend time together. #HappyFoodmas #avaeats

couples take walks to look at the christmas lights + it’s hard to get a table at a restaurant on christmas eve.

definitely some valentine’s day shit.

but i digress..
#HappyFoodmas #avaeats

BUT:

the traditional japanese christmas food is christmas cake—not a rich fruit cake, but a sponge decorated w. strawberries + whipped cream.

this emoji right here: 🍰
THAT is japanese christmas cake!
#HappyFoodmas #avaeats

ok dassit.

gonna finish this fried chicken from popeyes now.

we shall continue tomorrow night w. @EatWithNia’s contribution to the #HappyFoodmas thread. #avaeats

wait i’m back!

that friend that was in the service just sent me this. he checked in w. his friend in japan for me 🙃

ok bye 👋🏾
#HappyFoodmas #avaeats