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The New Year period is an important time in Japan, rich in tradition, especially when it comes to food.
You can't say sayonara to the old year and usher in the new one unless you eat some "toshikoshi soba." "Toshikoshi" has become a popular meal for people on their way back from a late-night visit to a shrine on New Year's Eve. The original idea of eating "toshikoshi soba" was to wish for a healthy long life.
Then there is "osechi," which is traditional New Year delicacies prepared at home or by stores in advance of the holiday period. Stores sell “osechi” food in ornate boxes called "jubako."
Each food item has a special meaning. For example, “datemaki,” which is a sweet rolled omelet mixed with fish paste or mashed shrimp, symbolizes a wish for many auspicious days. “Konbu,” which is a type of seaweed, is associated with the word “yorokobi” which means joy. “Kazunoko” (“kazu” means number and “ko” means child) is herring roe and symbolizes a wish to be blessed with children in the new year, and so on.
We should mention "mochi," that rice cake that takes forever to chew and which, unfortunately, is responsible for many elderly people choking to death. It also is popular as soup ("ozoni").
© Japan Today
10 Comments
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sctaber56
I'd like to know more about all the regional variations on "ozoni" - one of Japan's essential soul foods.
Foxie
My fridge is already stocked with handmade soba and as for the ozoni, I think everybody has his own recipe. My husband always makes it and he got the recipe from his mother who got it from her mother who got it from her mother.
Ranger_Miffy2
My fridge is positively STUFFED with new year's mochi and a huge range of fresh veggies. I had no idea that winter was such a great time for cuisine until I moved to Japan!
nath
We are all set here.
Not sure how true or authentic this is. But I was told that Osechi is also a way to give the wife, etc a break after the big cleaning and she won't need to cook for a few days.
In short the whole family can have a quality time together sans daily worries.
I do Ozoni the Nagoya style as was taught to me by my wife.
globalwatcher
This is one of my favorite Japanese delicacies. Yammm.......
My friend who is a cardiologist thinks "Soba" buckwheat is a healthy choice. I ship him a tons of genuine or authentic Soba whenever I visit Japan.
TakahiroDomingo
best food in the world!
Love and Peace for the New year!!!
presto345
I have to smile at this notion. To enjoy the break the wife first has to spend a few days preparing the 'osechi' and next it will be she who does the serving.
Himajin
Yes, Christmas and other big days, you cook for days beforehand. It's even more true when half your family hates osechi! Baa-chan and I eat it, but DH and DS don't so we end up making sukiyaki, or grilling kan-buri etc.
My osechi--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62021477@N00/6605074619/in/photostream
Only the things MIL likes best!
MaboDofuIsSpicy
It is too bad Japan is the only country with rich traditions, and especially with food...
All those other countries missing out on a bland bowl of buckwheat noodles in soy sauce soup.
God help those other countries.
Serrano
Best New Year food is pizza with plenty of black olives and mushrooms.