A Quiet New Year at the Kitchen Table

Hello Reader, It's Yukari!

We hope your New Year is off to an exciting start!
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Did you make a New Year’s resolution this year, or did you skip it?
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No matter what you choose, we hope you reach your goals. We’re cheering you on!

Japanese New Year Tradition

In Japan, New Year’s food is more than just a meal.
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Each dish is a wish for the year ahead.
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There are long-held beliefs about eating a bowl of soba noodles on New Year’s Eve.
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Soba noodle soup is meant to wish loved ones health, happiness, and a long life; the long noodles symbolise longevity and prosperity.
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As the clock strikes midnight, families gather around a table, quietly sharing a bowl of Soba while we listen to the peace bell at temples.
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The room fills with the sound of slurping, as each noodle becomes a quiet wish for health and happiness.
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It’s a special moment of togetherness, with each bite carrying a hope for the year ahead.
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That’s what I love about food traditions.
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They slow us down and remind us that cooking isn’t about perfection.
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It’s about being present with the people you care about.
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A Bit of History of Osechi

Osechi cuisine celebrates the New Year and brings families together. These beautifully arranged dishes symbolize joy and reflect Japanese values like unity, gratitude, and tradition.
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The word “Osechi” originally meant a season or special time.
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The food is offered to “Toshigami,” the visiting god who comes to each home on New Year’s Day.
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After New Year’s Day, the food is seen as a gift from the god.
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For the first three days, the “Kamado God” (kitchen god) rests, so people avoid chores like shopping and cooking.
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That’s why most of the dishes are made to be preserved.
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This tradition highlights the importance of rest and harmony during the holidays.
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By making dishes that last, families can skip the usual chores and spend more time reflecting and being together.
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The need to preserve food also represents a wish for peace and balance. (Sugar, soy, and vinegar are the main seasonings.)
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Each dish has a special meaning: happiness, family, love, health, good business, education, fertility, long life, and prosperity.
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Kuromame (sweet black beans) symbolise health and diligence.
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Kazunoko (herring roe) stands for fertility and prosperity.
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Tazukuri (dried sardines) means a wish for a bountiful harvest.

A Gift for You!

Want a simple Soba Noodle Soup recipe?
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I made one you can download HERE!
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Curious how I made cooking traditional osechi easier this year?
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I’ll share my tips and shortcuts in the next issue, so even traditional food can feel doable, modern, and joyful. 💛

If you feel like it, hit reply and tell us your New Year's tradition at your table!

We read every message. 🧡
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Thank you for being part of this growing Kitchen Table. 🙏
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We’re so grateful to build this joyful cooking community with you on this cozy little corner of the internet.🧡
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With gratitude and friendship,
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Aric & Yukari
🐶🐱 (Senna & Ka-En are here for the scraps, as always)

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