Dec 30
2011
Toshikoshi soba -- Year Bridging soba

Toshikoshi soba, long buckwheat noodles served in broth with a variety of noodles, is the traditional evening meal eaten late on New Years Eve in Japan, while waiting for the New Year to make its arrival.  “Toshikoshi” roughly translates to mean the end of the old year and the entering of the new year, or “year bridging.”  So as we enjoy these last moments of 2011 and look forward to the arrival of 2012, I thought it would be appropriate to share my recipe for toshikoshi soba with you as a transition into the coming year.

Dried Soba Noodles

As we move forward into 2012, I’m looking forward to all of the hatsu—a list of “firsts” that the Japanese observe during the first two weeks of each new year.  Some of these are:

  • Hatsu-dori: The year’s first cockcrow.
  • Hatsuhinode: The year’s first sunrise.  Some people gather in places known for having beautiful sunrises and celebrate the arrival of the New Year with the rising of the sun and pray for good health during the coming year.
  • Hatsu-mode: The year’s first shrine or temple visit.  People pray for a variety of things during this visit, like good health throughout the year or safety for their family.
  • Hatsuyume: The year’s first dream. The dream, seen the night of January 1st, foretells the luck of the dreamer in the coming year. If you dream about Mt. Fuji, hawks, or eggplant this means luck and happiness for your future!
  • Kakizome: The year’s “first writing.”  On January 2nd each member of a family takes a turn inscribing a favorite poem or proverb with a brush and ink on a long strip of paper.
  • Goyohajime: The year’s first day of business.

I wonder which hatsu you’ll enjoy?  Do yourself a favor and whip up a batch of these delicious noodles for omisoka (New Years Eve).  Make sure you don’t cut your noodles, as the long thin noodles represent a wish for long happy life.  I hope your transition into the New Year is a wonderful one, and your hatsu are enjoyable and full of good fortune!

Toshikoshi Soba for New Year's Eve

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Toshikoshi Soba

Makes 5 to 6 servings

6 cups dashi
3 tablespoons mirin
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/3 cup soy sauce
9 to 10 ounces soba noodles, cooked according to package directions
Shredded nori (seaweed)
Additional toppings as desired

1. Mix the dashi, mirin, and sugar together in a 2-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for 3 minutes. Add the soy sauce and slowly heat the sauce through, stirring, making sure that it doesn’t boil.

2. Place the noodles in bowls and pour the hot broth over the noodles. Top with shredded nori and additional toppings as desired.

{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

spajonas December 30, 2011 at 11:09 am

Akemashite Omedetou! (early, I know.) These noodles look delicious! I just bought an extremely expensive but lovely bottle of Mugou Junmai Daijingo sake from Iwate province for our NYE dinner. Maybe I’ll suggest soba noodles to go along with it :) Have a great new year, Rachael!

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LiztheChef December 30, 2011 at 11:19 am

I’m eager for hatsu in our household…The new year always holds such promise, doesn’t it? Your noodles look like a perfect beginning for 2012. X0

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Joy December 31, 2011 at 12:46 pm

I love the noodle recipe.

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Charissa - The Gifted Blog December 31, 2011 at 7:06 pm

Super yummy! I found you today through Lulu Wraps’ FB page and we made this tonight. I’d seen another recipe on Just Hungry that got me curious and this sealed the deal. Maybe we just started a new New Year’s tradition!

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love cooking December 31, 2011 at 11:14 pm

It is great for New Year day. Simple but have good meaning. I Love Japanese food, but hardly cook them at home. This is a good dish to start. :)

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Jeanette January 4, 2012 at 7:34 am

This is my kind of noodle soup – one of my favorites!

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Paula- bell'alimento January 4, 2012 at 1:22 pm

Love Love Love this! Just pinned it too! Stunning!

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Kristyy101 December 13, 2013 at 11:52 am

yummy ! I SOOO wanna use this website more.. in japanese class we’re cooking this NEXT WEEK !! ^^~~ ITS GOING TO BE GOOD !!!

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Fuji Mama (Rachael) December 31, 2013 at 10:25 am

Thanks!! I hope you had a fun Japanese class and delicious eating!

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Tara December 30, 2013 at 1:41 pm

Loved this! So simple, but perfect.

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Fuji Mama (Rachael) December 31, 2013 at 10:24 am

Thanks Tara!

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