Eat Salmon on Christmas!

Japanese internet meme Eat Salmon on Christmas! (Japanese: クリスマスには鮭を食え, Hepburn: Kurisumasu niwa shake wo kue) is an internet meme originating from a quote made by an antagonist character in an episode of Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger, a Super Sentai series in 2018. This quote was originally spoken by a salmon villain on the 45th episode, who replaced chickens with salmon on Christmas, disrupting the sales of chicken while promoting salmon fillets as a food for Christmas. The meme has been used by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from 2021 to promote the consumption of salmon in the said period.

[edit] The quote comes from the 45th episode of the Super Sentai series title Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger. The episode, titled "Looking Forward to Christmas", featured a salmon-like villain replacing chicken with salmon fillets, encouraging people to eat them instead for Christmas. During the battle scene, recipes for salmon chahan and hizunamasu [ja] are shown. Eating chicken on Christmas is a tradition unique to Japan, which is said to be influenced by KFC promoting fried chickens in the country since 1974.

[edit] The phrase, along with the hashtag of the quote spread on Twitter after the airing of the episode. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries began promoting the consumption of salmon on the same platform since 2021. This is a part of the ministry's attempt to increase the declining consumption rate of fisheries. Since the spread of the quote, the episode has been uploaded to YouTube by the Toei Tokusatsu channel during the Christmas season several times.

While the phrase “Eat salmon on Christmas!” sprang from a quirky Super Sentai episode, the idea has stuck because salmon fits the festive narrative of a bright, healthy centrepiece. The bright pink flesh mirrors the season’s palette of reds and golds, and its light, buttery flavour balances the richer meats traditionally served. In the UK, where the classic Christmas dinner revolves around turkey or roast beef, salmon offers a lighter alternative for those who want a touch of luxury without the heaviness. It’s become a subtle nod to pop‑culture, turning a meme into a conversation starter at family gatherings.

When buying salmon for Christmas, look for firm flesh with a uniform pink or orange hue—these are signs of freshness. Wild‑caught Atlantic salmon tends to have a richer flavour than farmed varieties, but both can work if you prefer a milder taste. Check the label for sustainable certifications such as MSC or RSPCA to ensure ethical sourcing. For a festive twist, consider a whole side of salmon, brushed with a glaze of maple syrup, orange zest and a pinch of rosemary; it can be roasted on the same tray as your roast potatoes, saving oven space and infusing the air with a subtle, sweet aroma.

A frequent mistake is overcooking salmon, which turns the delicate flesh dry and loses its buttery texture. Aim for an internal temperature of 57°C (135°F) and pull it from the oven when the centre still looks slightly translucent—it will finish cooking as it rests. Another slip‑up is pairing it with overly heavy sauces; a simple dill‑yoghurt or citrus‑butter drizzle lets the fish shine and complements the traditional Christmas sides without overpowering them.