Sure, there's nothing wrong with sticking to tradition: turkey and gravy for Christmas, ham or lamb for Easter, and red bean moon cakes for the Autumn Moon Festival. But the fun part of being in an international community like Shanghai is sharing and adapting traditions. Think moon cakes meet Haagen-Dazs. Some say sacriligious, but if you tasted them, you were hooked. With so many international restaurants cooking up alternative Christmas dinners this year, it's tempting to deviate from the beaten food path. Throw in a little curry, a few sprigs of lemongrass, and take your Christmas taste buds to places they've never been.

For a spicy Christmas twist, Indian Kitchen has brainstormed a few festive turkey renditions. They'll be stewing it into curry and spearing it onto a tandoori skewer. The sight of a thick turkey leg roasting over a spit and drizzled in Indian spices is enough to convert anyone, while for homesick Brits and Indians the menu may bring back fond memories of mom making tur-key curry with holiday leftovers.

Shanghai's Mexican restaurants will also be sprinkling some turkey amongst their chilies and Jack cheese. Zapata's holiday menu includes turkey enchiladas and turkey tamaleswhile Mexico Lindo will be serving a spread of Mexican salads, confections, and roast turkey. This is about as close to authentic as you can get in Shanghai, as most Mexican families tradititionally serve roast turkey and turkey mole at Christmas.

For those who want to stay within Asian borders, Thai Food Station's holiday feast features fusion renditions of Thai favorites: turkey papaya salad, fresh spring rolls with turkey, and green turkey curry.

If moon cakes can be filled with ice cream, then Christmas turkey can certainly go with curry, basil, and a salted margarita. Feliz Navidad!

Mexico Lindo
Villa 1, 3911 Hongmei Lu 
Tel: 6262-2797

Zapata's
5 Hengshan Lu
Tel: 6474-6166

Indian Kitchen
572 Yongjia Lu 
Tel: 6473-1517

Thai Food Station
139 Jianguo Lu 
Tel: 6473-8601

(Cityweekend December 13, 2007)