Christmas is a time for gathering with family. This year, many of you may be wondering what kind of gourmet treats to choose. So this time, Hanshin Nishinomiya and Nishitsu have created a fun little quiz to help you decide.
Its name is…
“Pick 3 Items and Discover Your Christmas Gourmet Type”.
It reveals your “feast type” along with a light personality diagnosis.
Here are those Christmas gourmet items ↓
Which of the 12 gourmet items did you choose? Chicken is the classic Christmas pick, but when Shachomi tried the quiz, the result was “Beefy Hero,” a dependable type who takes the lead.
目次
What Are Christmas Breads Like?
One thing that stands out on the à la carte menu is the Christmas bread.
Christmas breads became popular in Japan relatively recently. There are a few varieties, and the differences can be a little confusing, so here’s a quick explanation.
- Stollen = A traditional German fermented sweet bread made with dried fruit and spices. It is sliced thinly and eaten little by little each day while waiting for Christmas.
- Panettone = A traditional Italian Christmas fermented sweet bread made with a rich dough using plenty of egg yolks and butter, with dried fruit added before baking.
- Pandoro = Meaning “golden bread,” this is a traditional fermented sweet bread from Verona, Italy, made generously with egg yolks and butter.
You could use the menu you picked as a base, then customize it a bit, like adding “one bottle of wine for the adults” or “some potato dishes for the kids.”
Whole Cake or Sliced Cake? Don’t Forget the Christmas Cake
Once the feast is decided, next comes the cake.
Recommended Cakes for Whole-Cake Fans
We picked three with different personalities.
If you’re the type who says a whole cake has to be strawberries and whipped cream, this is the one. Pure white and simple.
If you want a whole cake packed with lots of fruit, this is the one. It sparkles like jewels.
If you’re craving chocolate cake, this is the one. It even has the added texture of chocolate chips.
Recommended Cakes for Sliced-Cake Fans
The sliced cakes seem to fall into two camps: super cute-looking ones and ones that look seriously delicious.
If you want to eat sweet-and-tart strawberries, this is the one. Looks so good.
If you want a Santa cake, this is it. Since it’s flavored with raspberry pulp, it has a more grown-up feel.
If you have kids at home, this is the clear choice! A fun sliced-cake set with, amazingly, 12 varieties!
Here are all the cakes ↓
There are 20 varieties in total. From bear-shaped cakes and Mont Blanc to baumkuchen and even Baskin-Robbins.
When Do They Go on Sale?
Christmas hors d’oeuvres, mains, and various à la carte items are scheduled to be sold at the 1st-floor food section of Hanshin Nishinomiya. Since the sales period differs by item, be sure to check the flyer above carefully.
Also, some cakes are available by reservation, while others will be sold on the day. Some are limited in quantity, so if there’s something you’re after, it’s best to act early.
There will also be very popular daily limited sales of Nadashin no Mochi, so if you have your eye on something, don’t wait too long.
And here are the key points for year-end and New Year business hours.
・On Wednesday, December 31, only the 1st-floor food section opens at 9:30 a.m. / the entire store closes at 6:00 p.m.
※The 1st floor opens early, and the entire store closes early
・The entire store will be closed on Thursday, January 1 and Friday, January 2
・The first sale of the year starts at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 3
※Please check the latest business hours on the Hanshin Nishinomiya website
Since the store is closed on January 1 and 2, keep that in mind when shopping for osechi or New Year supplies.
Finally
Stollen, roast beef, pintxos, and other gourmet foods we don’t usually eat have me wanting to pair them with wine. It feels like it could make for a truly memorable Christmas. Be sure to try some new gourmet treats too.
