Why Jewish Families Eat Chinese Food on Christmas

The tradition of Jewish people eating Chinese food on Christmas, particularly in the United States, stems from the fact that many Chinese restaurants were historically open on Christmas Day, offering a readily available dining option for Jews who might not have other places to eat on a Christian holiday, often feeling like outsiders during the season.

This video explains the origin of this practice, and how it started on New York City's Lower East Side back in the late 1800s when Eastern European Jewish immigrants and Chinese immigrants lived in close proximity to one another.

Enjoy!