Toshi Koshi Soba Noodles: New Year Eve Noodle Soup
On New Year’s Eve in Japan, families eat soba noodles and drink sake.
This simple dish called Toshikoshi Soba (New Year’s Eve Soba Noodle Soup) brings together tradition and fun for the whole family to share! I have many great memories of eating the dish with my family while watching new year’s special TV shows as a child.
Toshikoshi Soba is served just before midnight. Soba noodles, which are cut into exceedingly thin and long strips, are believed to represent a long life.
They’re usually served with scallions, seaweed, and other traditional ingredients in a heated dashi broth.
Eating Toshikoshi Soba on New Year’s Eve is thought to bring good luck and prosperity for the following year. It’s a popular dish in Japanese households throughout the holiday season, and slurping your noodles is supposed to bring even more luck!
The Japanese New Year is a time for celebrating and wishing others good fortune. The greeting of “yoi otoshi wo! 良いお年を！”, meaning “have a good year”, is connected with this time of new beginnings, growth, and joy.
This phrase expresses the infinite hope that we can all have in the coming 12 months. We say it to each other to take advantage of opportunities and moments to develop meaningful relationships and create loving memories.
Yoi otoshi wo, my friend! Wishing you and your family health, happiness, and prosperity in the new year.
What is Soba Noodles
Soba noodles are a delicious traditional Japanese dish that combines a nutrient-rich buckwheat flour with wheat flour to make the unique noodles.
They’re quite simple – just knead the dough, roll it out and cut into thin strips before boiling them in water for around 4 minutes! The result is incredibly tasty – the texture of soba noodles ranges from soft to chewy and they have a nutty flavour.
Soba noodles are served hot in dashi soup, or cold with dipping sauces. Great thing about Soba noodle is that it’s relatively low in calories while providing protein, iron and vitamin B1. With its versatility and deliciousness, soba noodle is sure to become your new favourite food!