2022.12.15
The New Year is fast approaching, and that means it's time to start thinking about what delicious foods you want to eat to celebrate! If you're not sure where to start, don't worry - we've got you covered. Here are some of the best Japanese dishes to enjoy during the New Year holidays. Itadakimasu!
The main part of the New Year's feast is the “Osechi Ryori”.
Osechi Ryori is a Japanese traditional cuisine served during the New Year holidays. It is a collection of dishes that have been carefully selected and prepared to celebrate the coming of the new year. Historically, Osechi Ryori was a way of preserving food that could last for several days during the holiday period, when people weren't allowed to cook due to religious customs. Today, Osechi Ryori is still enjoyed by many during the New Year holidays as a way to honor the past and celebrate the new year.
Osechi Ryori is made up of several different dishes, each with its own unique meaning. The most common dishes are:
Kuromame: Black beans, which symbolize health and hard work
Kuromame is a traditional Japanese sweet made from black soybeans. It has been a popular treat for centuries, and is known for its unique flavor and health benefits. It is made by boiling black soybeans in a sweet syrup made from sugar and shoyu. The beans are then left to steep in the syrup until they are soft and chewy, and then served either warm or cold.
Kazunoko: Herring roe, which symbolizes fertility
Herring roe is the dish, but it holds a deeper symbolism in the Japanese language. The word "Kazu" means "number" and "ko" stands for "children". This dish symbolizes the hope for many children in the coming year.
Kamaboko: Fish cakes
Kamaboko is a traditional Japanese food item made from fish paste, most commonly white in color. It is often steamed into a loaf, sliced and served in a variety of dishes including soups, salads, and sushi. It is an essential part of many Japanese cuisines and has been around since the Edo period in Japan. Kamaboko has a mild taste that can be combined with other ingredients for a unique flavor. They represent Japan's rising sun through their colour and design and have a festive connotation.
Kurikinton: Sweet potato and chestnut mash, which symbolize wealth
Kurikinton is a traditional Japanese sweet made from chestnuts and sweet potatoes. It's is a popular seasonal dessert, and is often served as part of the traditional Japanese New Year's feast. The combination of sweet potatoes and chestnuts creates a wonderful flavor, and it is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. The sweet is typically made by boiling chestnuts in syrup and then mixing them with mashed sweet potatoes and sugar. The mixture is then molded into small balls and boiled once more before being served.
Datemaki: Sweet omelette roll, representing learning
Datemaki is a traditional Japanese sweet egg roll mixed with fish paste. It's shape represents a scroll and it is said to represent learning and scholarly ambitions.
Kobumaki: Kelp roll, representing happiness
Kobu has been used in Japanese cuisine for centuries and is a source of vitamins and minerals, as well as dietary fibre. It is rolled up and stuffed with salmon, then simmered. The word kobu is related to the word yorokobu, or happiness, so kobu represents happiness for the new year.
Osechi Ryori dishes are usually served in a lacquered box or tray, which is said to protect the food from evil spirits.
In addition to the traditional dishes, many people also serve other dishes such as sushi, tempura, and grilled fish. These dishes are not part of the traditional Osechi Ryori, but they add an extra layer of flavor and variety to the meal.
Osechi Ryori is a great way to start the New Year. It is both delicious and symbolic, and it's a great way to bring the family together. If you're looking for a delicious and meaningful way to celebrate the New Year, Osechi Ryori is a great choice.
Along with the osechi ryori, these foods are also popular for New Year's in Japan.
Toshikoshi soba
Toshikoshi soba, also known as “Year-Crossing Noodles,” is a traditional Japanese dish enjoyed on New Year's Eve. The long, thin noodles are meant to symbolize a long life, as they are cooked and eaten just before the stroke of midnight. Toshikoshi soba is a simple dish that consists of soba noodles, a light broth, and various toppings. The noodles are cooked in a pot of boiling water, drained and served in a bowl with the broth and toppings. While the exact toppings vary by region, some of the most common include green onions, tempura flakes, and grated daikon radish.
Toshikoshi soba is believed to bring good luck and a prosperous new year, and is typically served with a side of sake.
Ozoni
Ozoni is a traditional Japanese soup eaten at the New Year's celebration. It is a clear soup made with dashi (a fish and kelp broth) and mochi (rice cakes). The soup is usually served with a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, mushrooms, and meats. Ozoni is believed to bring good luck and fortune for the upcoming year.
The soup is also thought to bring people together, as it is a time for families to gather and share a meal. Ozoni is a simple yet flavorful soup that is an essential part of the Japanese New Year's celebration.
Kagami mochi
Kagami mochi is a traditional Japanese form of wagashi (Japanese confectionary). It is a round, two-tiered mochi cake, made of two separate mochi cakes stacked on top of each other, with a daidai (a citrus fruit) balanced on top. The mochi cakes are made from pounded and steamed sticky rice, and are typically colored with red and white, symbolizing the Japanese New Year.
The daidai, which is often referred to as the “lucky orange”, is placed on top of the mochi cake to represent good luck and prosperity. The kagami mochi is often purchased and displayed during the New Year as a symbol of prosperity, and is a popular food offering in Shinto shrines.
The Japanese New Year is an important event in the country's culture, and the food associated with it is a major part of the celebration.
Eating these dishes on New Year's Day is a centuries-old custom that will be passed on to future generations. With the variety of dishes that are eaten for New Year's, it's no wonder that this is such a popular and special holiday in Japan.
Why don't you try some for your own New Year's celebrations!
Article courtesy : OMAKASE Tour https://omakase-tour.com/