Happy Kentucky Fried Christmas! Would YOU tuck into a festive KFC? Japanese families order in Colonel's breaded chicken THREE MONTHS in advance



A Kentucky Fried Christmas? Orders for the Christmas Party Barrels are taken from October in Japan

As one of the culinary staples of the year, we Brits take the traditional turkey dinner for granted.

But for those living in Japan, getting hold of a turkey roast with all the trimmings is more of a challenge.



As a result, in Japan, it has become it has become customary for families to indulge in a KFC takeaway on Christmas Eve.

Over the past few years, the fast-food chicken has become such a firm festive favourite that orders for Christmas Party Barrels are taken as far in advance as the end of October.

Branches of the fast-food chain, of which there are more than 1,200 in the country, report queues around the block as families line up to grab their fix of fries and wings.

The KFC Christmas trend began following a successful advertising campaign in 1974, which coined the phrase 'Kentucky For Christmas', after an expat customer observed that in a land lacking Yuletide turkey, fried chicken was the next best thing.

It was a smart move - and the tills in Japan have been jingling merrily ever since.

In further proof of the nation's fondness for the Colonel's secret recipe, it was announced at the end of last month that Japan Airlines was to serve KFC on its flights for three months across the festive period.



Festive fare: The Air Kentucky meal will be served on board Japan Airlines and some flights to the U.S. and Europe over Christmas