In Armenia, the traditional Christmas Eve meal includes fish as its main course. The meal is associated with Christmas Eve on January 5, before Armenians celebrate Christmas and the Epiphany together on January 6.
The fish reflects the fasting tradition observed before the holiday. Traditional Armenian fasting avoids meat, eggs, and dairy, so fish can serve as the central protein while remaining compatible with the meal’s religious customs. The Christmas Eve supper is commonly known as kh’tum.
Fish is usually served alongside rice, while other traditional foods may include nuik, a vegetable dish made with greens and chickpeas, and tanapur, a yogurt-and-wheat soup. Dried fruits, nuts, and other sweets are also common parts of the spread.
The answer is sometimes confused with a single nationally fixed recipe, but Armenian Christmas food varies by family and region. “Fish” is the canonical quiz answer because it identifies the customary main course, while the accompanying dishes are not identical in every household.