Why Do Koreans Eat Fried Chicken at Christmas and Year-End?
Short answer: Korea does not have a fixed "fried chicken for Christmas" tradition the way Japan does with its famous KFC Christmas dinners. In Korea, the true Christmas centerpiece is a Christmas cake from a bakery. But fried chicken is still everywhere at the end of the year, because it is the country's favourite food for sharing at home, at parties and at year-end gatherings. If you are in Korea in December, expect to see a lot of chicken boxes next to cake boxes.
Is fried chicken a Christmas tradition in Korea?
Not officially. Many visitors hear about Japan's Christmas KFC custom, which grew out of a 1970s marketing campaign, and assume Korea is the same. It is not. Korea has no single "Christmas meal" that every family eats, and for many people Christmas is a secular holiday rather than a religious or family feast.
What Korea does have is a very strong habit of ordering fried chicken whenever people get together and want something easy, warm and fun. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve are exactly those kinds of nights, so chicken shops and delivery riders tend to be busy. Korean media have long talked about a "Christmas special season" (특수) for chicken franchises, the same way bakeries have one for cakes.
Why chicken fits the Korean year-end so well
1. It is the default "sharing" food
Korean fried chicken is ordered by the whole bird or by the box, and it is meant to be shared. A group of friends, a couple, or a family can open one or two boxes, choose half crispy and half sauced (반반, "half-half"), and everyone is happy. That makes it a natural choice for a holiday night in.
2. Delivery culture and cold weather
December in Korea is cold, and ordering in is extremely easy thanks to delivery apps. On a freezing night, many people would rather stay warm at home, watch a movie or a year-end music show, and wait for the doorbell. Korean news reports have repeatedly noted that cold snaps push up chicken and delivery orders.
3. Christmas Eve is a date night, Christmas is a "hang out" day
In Korea, Christmas Eve is widely seen as a couples' holiday, with restaurants booked up and streets full of lights. Christmas Day itself is a public holiday, and lots of people spend it relaxing with friends. Restaurants can be crowded and pricey, so a chicken-and-cake party at home is a popular, low-stress alternative.
4. Year-end parties and chimaek
From early December, Koreans go to many year-end gatherings (송년회, songnyeonhoe) with coworkers, school friends and clubs. Chicken and beer — chimaek — is one of the easiest ways to do a casual one, especially for smaller groups.
What a typical Korean Christmas table looks like
- A Christmas cake — often a fresh cream or strawberry cake, pre-ordered or bought on the day from a bakery chain, café or hotel.
- Fried chicken — original crispy, sweet-spicy yangnyeom, soy garlic, or a "half-half" box.
- Side snacks — pickled radish cubes (chicken-mu) that come with the chicken, tteokbokki, pizza or snacks from the convenience store.
- Drinks — beer, soft drinks, or a bottle of wine for the occasion.
As LUMI from POPORO CITY puts it: "Cake for the photo, chicken for the people." It is a joke, but it explains the mood pretty well.
How to join in as a visitor
You do not need a Korean phone number or a local home to enjoy a year-end chicken night. Most chicken shops have seating, and many neighbourhood places serve beer too. Some hotels and guesthouses allow food in common areas — check the house rules first. For more festive ideas, see our guide to how Seoul celebrates Christmas and where to see the lights.
Quick tips
- On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, order or arrive early — popular shops can have long waits.
- Ask for "ban-ban" (반반) if you want half crispy, half sauced.
- Yangnyeom sauce can be spicy-sweet; soy garlic is a safer mild option.
- If you want a famous bakery cake, pre-ordering is common in December.
- Keep the pickled radish — it is the classic palate cleanser.
FAQ
Do Koreans eat KFC on Christmas like in Japan?
Not as a national custom. KFC exists in Korea, but most people order from Korean chicken brands or local shops, and the Christmas symbol in Korea is cake rather than any one restaurant.
Is Christmas a holiday in Korea?
Yes, December 25 is a public holiday. Many shops, cafés and restaurants stay open, and city centres get busy.
Is fried chicken easy to find on Christmas night?
Usually yes, but popular shops can be very busy, especially in the evening. Going a little earlier helps.
What do Koreans eat on New Year's Eve?
There is no single dish. Party food such as chicken is common on the night of December 31, while tteokguk (rice cake soup) is the traditional dish for the new year itself.