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How to celebrate Christmas? Recommended Christmas dinners in Wan Chai and Causeway Bay!


Every December, shopping malls, streets, and hotel lobbies throughout Hong Kong are illuminated with dazzling Christmas lights, creating a festive winter atmosphere. Christmas has long transcended its original religious significance, becoming a holiday symbolizing reunion and gratitude: families gather to enjoy a Christmas dinner, close friends exchange gifts, and parties celebrate this important year-end holiday together.

The Hari Hong Kong guides you through the various ways to celebrate Christmas in Hong Kong, introducing essential Christmas dinner dishes and top recommendations for enjoying a Christmas meal in Wan Chai and Causeway Bay!

Christmas origins


Christmas originated in Europe around the 4th century AD, initially as a religious festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. As Christianity spread throughout the world, Christmas gradually evolved into one of the most influential festivals globally. In Hong Kong, since the British colonial era, many expatriates have held Christmas parties, exchanged gifts, and decorated their Christmas trees. This festive and warm atmosphere has slowly permeated the local culture, becoming one of the most anticipated festivals for Hong Kong people in December each year.

What are some ways to Celebrate Christmas?


Christmas symbolizes reunion, gratitude, and sharing. Different people add a sense of ritual and joy to the holiday with various activities. Why not try the following ten ways to celebrate and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere!

Decorating the Christmas Tree and Home

The Christmas tree is truly the symbol of Christmas. People decorate its branches with colored lights, ribbons, stars, and glass ornaments, symbolizing hope and happiness. Some devout religious families also place a nativity scene depicting Mary and the infant Jesus at home, representing the birth of Jesus and the light of faith.

Playing Christmas Music and Hanging Lights

Shopping malls and restaurants often play classic Christmas tunes like “Jingle Bells” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to create a joyful atmosphere. Putting up lights and wreaths not only decorates the space but also symbolizes prosperity and light, conveying the holiday’s joy and warmth.

Exchanging Gifts and Sending Christmas Cards

Exchanging gifts among friends, partners, and family is an important Christmas ritual for expressing thanks and care. Many people also write heartfelt messages in Christmas cards to send sincere greetings and thoughts to loved ones far away.

The Santa Claus Tradition

According to European legend, Santa Claus carries gifts and enters homes through the chimney on Christmas Eve, placing presents in children’s Christmas stockings. That’s why children hang a stocking at the foot of their bed before sleeping, symbolizing goodwill and blessings.

Christmas Dinner

Family members gather for a grand Christmas feast, strengthening bonds. The dinner table features various classic Christmas foods, with some regions also incorporating local flavours, showcasing diverse culinary cultures.

Making Crafts and Gingerbread Houses

Parents can engage in making gingerbread houses, Christmas wreaths, or cards with their children during the holidays. This not only adds festive cheer to the home but also fosters interaction and cooperation among family members.

What to eat for Christmas dinner?


From exquisite appetizers and aromatic main courses to heartwarming desserts and beverages, every dish in a Christmas feast carries the meaning of reunion and celebration. So, what does a traditional Christmas meal generally include?

Classic Christmas Main Courses

The most popular main dishes on the Christmas table usually include:

  • Roast Turkey: The star of the traditional American Christmas feast. The turkey is roasted until tender, often served with cranberry sauce, chestnut stuffing, and maple-roasted Brussels sprouts, symbolizing abundance and togetherness.
  • Honey-Glazed Ham: Cured and roasted with honey and herbs, resulting in a golden, crispy outer layer and rich flavour. A staple in European and American festive celebrations.
  • Beef Wellington: An elegant British dish featuring beef fillet wrapped with foie gras and mushroom duxelles in puff pastry, offering complex layers of flavour and texture.
  • Festive Seafood: Common features at Christmas buffets include lobster, king crab legs, brown crab, and mussels, allowing diners to savour the flavours of winter seafood.
  • Roasted Salmon Steak: Salmon, carefully marinated and then roasted at high heat until the skin is slightly crisp while the flesh remains moist and tender. Often paired with lemon juice or herb cream sauce to complement its freshness, creating a rich textural experience.
  • Roasted Rack of Lamb: Lamb marinated with herbs and garlic, then seared until the exterior is slightly charred while the inside remains juicy and tender. Can be served with mint sauce or red wine jus to highlight its unique gamey aroma and delicate flavour.
  • Braised Beef Short Ribs: Beef short ribs slow-braised for hours with red wine and root vegetables until the meat is fall-apart tender. The rich, savoury sauce makes it a perfect, heartwarming dish for winter that lingers pleasantly on the palate.

Festive Appetizers & Side Dishes

The appetizers and side dishes for a Christmas dinner are designed with finesse to guide the palate into the celebratory mood. Common ones include:

  • Duck liver pâté with apple compote or blue swimmer crab salad to begin the feast.
  • French cheese soufflé, nut salad, pan-seared foie gras, black truffle mushrooms, mini potato salad, etc., offering distinct layers of texture and flavour.
  • Maple-roasted cauliflower, beef tallow roasted potatoes, braised celeriac, and seasonal vegetables to bring balance to the overall meal.

Classic Desserts

The final touch of a Christmas feast is, of course, the array of festive desserts, which come in a delightful variety:

  • Christmas Pudding: Made with dried fruits, rum, and spices, served with brandy butter or vanilla custard.
  • Bûche de Noël (Yule Log Cake): A classic French Christmas dessert shaped to resemble a wooden log, symbolizing warmth and reunion.
  • English mince pies, pecan tarts, chocolate mousse, and Mont Blanc tarts (chestnut cream desserts) are all perfect choices to conclude the meal.
  • Artisanal Christmas bread, gingerbread houses, and handmade chocolates add a touch of whimsy and festive color to the table.

A Culinary Extravaganza The Hari - A Feast for the Senses with Italian & Japanese Cuisine


This Christmas 2025, The Hari Hong Kong’s Lucciola Restaurant & Bar and Zoku Restaurant are each offering exclusive festive feasts to create the ultimate culinary experience for you. Classic Italian flavours and refined Japanese cuisine meet the rich winter holiday atmosphere. Both restaurants utilize fresh ingredients, creative dishes, and an elegant ambiance to present the essence of a festive banquet.

Lucciola – Italian Semi-Buffet Feast

This Christmas, Lucciola presents an Italian semi-buffet, blending traditional craftsmanship with innovative ingredients.

A selection of handmade appetizers includes:

  • Vitello Tonnato (Veal with Tuna Sauce): Tender, slow-cooked veal paired with a rich and savoury tuna sauce, offering distinct layers of flavour.
  • Burrata Pugliese: Soft, delicate cheese with a rich milky aroma, served with olive oil and vegetables for a fresh and appetizing start.
  • Insalata di Clementine, Spinaci Novelli e Finocchietto (Clementine, Baby Spinach, and Fennel Salad): A crisp and refreshing salad where the citrus acidity of clementines complements the fragrance of fennel, enhancing the textural experience.
  • Flan di Zucca, Spuma di Taleggio (Pumpkin Flan with Taleggio Foam): Sweet pumpkin paired with cheese, resulting in a soft, smooth texture and delicate flavour.

For the main course, the following selections are also available:

  • Tagliatelle 36×36 al Tartufo Nero (Handmade Tagliatelle with Black Truffle): Al dente pasta with a rich black truffle aroma, combined with egg yolk and cream for an authentic flavour.
  • Orzotto ai Gamberi Rossi Siciliani (Barley ‘Risotto’ with Sicilian Red Prawns): Soft and savoury barley ‘risotto’ with the prominent, fresh taste of red prawns, offering a moist and smooth texture.
  • Costolette di Agnello in Crosta alle Erbe (Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops): Crispy outer crust with juicy, tender lamb, carrying the aroma of herbs and lamb fat.
  • Guancia di Manzo Brasata al Barbaresco (Beef Cheek Braised in Barbaresco Wine): Beef cheek slow-braised until melt-in-your-mouth tender, with a rich red wine sauce and well-defined layers of flavour.
  • Carnaroli Risotto Castagne, Funghi Champignon e Grana Padano (Carnaroli Risotto with Chestnuts, Mushrooms, and Grana Padano Cheese): Al dente risotto where the sweet aroma of chestnuts blends with Grana Padano cheese for a rich, creamy flavour.

Book Lucciola


Zoku – Exquisite Japanese-Style Festive Feast

Zoku has also prepared a variety of classic and creative Japanese dishes for Christmas, including:

Cold Appetizers:

  • Sashimi Platter: Fresh, tender fish that highlights the original flavour of the seafood.
  • Fresh Oysters: Plump, smooth meat with a rich oceanic flavour and a pleasant, sweet aftertaste.
  • Sous-Vide Monkfish Liver: Delicate texture, rich and oily, melting in the mouth.
  • Japanese Taro Skewers: Fine, soft texture with a natural taro aroma; flavour is elevated when paired with Saikyoyaki sauce.
  • Grilled King Crab: Sweet, smooth, and distinct crab meat fibers with a pronounced seafood flavour.

Main Courses:

  • Kagoshima Pork Kakuni (Braised Pork Belly): Soft, tender pork belly with a rich, oily aroma; the Japanese braising method concentrates all the essence into the dish.
  • Grilled Lamb Chop: Slightly charred exterior with juicy, savoury lamb carrying a subtle sweetness.
  • Miso Carbonara Udon: A gentle, savoury sauce with smooth, chewy udon noodles and a prominent miso flavour.
  • Grilled Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper) ‘Ichiyaboshi’ Style, Grilled U.S. Prime Ribeye Steak, A4 Miyazaki Wagyu Beef: Thick, tender meat with a rich aroma and delicious flavour upon first bite.

Book Zoku

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