Hungary recorded the lowest price for a New Year’s dinner among the observed nations, while Japan stood out as the most costly. The focus of this survey by RIA News involved a network of correspondents asking about the typical New Year’s plates and their prices across various countries. The results show a clear contrast between affordable, home-style festive options and premium dishes that reflect different culinary traditions around the world. (RIA News)
In Hungary, a portion of stuffed cabbage, a festive take on cabbage rolls, can be enjoyed for about $2.50. This dish is a hearty assembly that typically features pork knuckle, lard, cabbage, rice, and a blend of seasonings, reflecting a rustic, traditional approach to holiday eating. When calculating the total cost of a complete celebratory table in Hungary, excluding the main course, the estimate sits around $78, underscoring how a modest starter and side dishes can balance a relatively inexpensive centerpiece. (RIA News)
By contrast, the most expensive item in the survey was a Japanese dish: buckwheat noodles served in a flavorful broth with fried shrimp, vegetables, mushrooms, and fish, priced near $10.80 per serving. This reflects Japan’s seafood-forward cuisine and the premium associated with fresh, high-quality ingredients that define holiday meals in many Japanese households. (RIA News)
Earlier, Google AI assistant Bard highlighted a curated list of dishes commonly associated with Christmas and New Year’s dinners, including cranberry sauce, roast turkey, gravy, roasted vegetables, muffins, mashed potatoes, bacon-wrapped sausages, green bean casserole, and fragrant winter spices such as cinnamon and star anise. The list mirrors how North American holiday tables are often composed, with a mix of traditional flavors and contemporary sides that travelers and readers frequently search for. (Bard)