In 1970, Takeshi Okawara, the manager of Japan¡¯s first ever Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise, made history by marketing the American chain¡¯s fried chicken ¡°party barrels¡± as the quintessential Christmas dinner. It¡¯s now impossible to go anywhere in Japan during December without being bombarded by imagery of Colonel Sanders in a Santa hat.
For the largely secular population of Japan who look at Christmas as more of a date night than a significant holiday ¨C it¡¯s a charming novelty. However, for some expats ¡ª unable to travel and missing the comforts and flavors of home ¡ª it¡¯s an unsatisfying substitute for a heartwarming and hearty meal.
For those looking to re-create a holiday dinner in their compact Japanese kitchens devoid of an oven or other equipment more typical in a Western kitchen and feeling overwhelmed, fear not: There is a way.
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