Hey everyone, can you believe it? New Year's is almost here! It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming 2024, and now we’re about to dive into 2025! Time sure does fly! So that got me thinking—New Year's must be a big deal in lots of cultures, right? I’m sure they all have their special foods for the occasion! So I started looking into it, and that's when I found Toshikoshi Soba!
In Japan, eating Toshikoshi Soba on New Year's Eve is a tradition that symbolizes letting go of the past year and welcoming the new one! The long soba noodles are thought to represent longevity, and eating them is said to bring good luck and health in the year ahead! It's a simple but meaningful dish that’s shared by families and friends, and I love how something so small can have such a big cultural impact!
What’s even cooler is that the tradition is celebrated with different variations across Japan! Some people eat it hot with broth, while others enjoy it cold with a dipping sauce! And of course, it’s often topped with delicious extras like tempura, green onions, kamaboko, and some people even add mochi! (Plain mochi, not the ones with fillings!)
Making Toshikoshi Soba yourself is actually pretty quick and easy, and you don't need too many ingredients to do it either! Just cook some buckwheat soba noodles, make a quick broth with kombu (seaweed), soy sauce, and mirin, and serve! Add toppings like tempura, kamaboko, green onions, or even some mochi for extra flavor!
So, what do you think? Ready to try something new before the New Year’s?
Best regards,
Gembira
Here to make your soul happy!