In Japan, New Year’s is the most popular holiday, and food plays a big role in the festivities. Families have been passing down special recipes for generations, and each dish has its own meaning and is thought to bring good luck. In this roundup, I’ve gathered some delicious Japanese New Year recipes that you can easily make at home.
1. Ozone
This Nagoya-style ozoni is at the heart of my New Year’s traditions. It’s got chicken and veggies in a clear dashi broth.
The mochi is the soul of the dish. It’s made from the previous year’s rice harvest as an offering to welcome the New Year deities.
Celebrate the New Year Nagoya style with this deliciously simple Ozoni made with pan fried chicken, blanched vegetables and chewy mochi in a lightly seasoned dashi broth.
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2. Kohaku Namasu
Kohaku Namasu is a great way to add some color to your New Year’s table. This quick-pickled dish is a perfect way to add a little brightness to your New Year’s table. It’s got crisp daikon radish and sweet carrots, with a touch of yuzu citrus and vinegar for a refreshing contrast to richer holiday foods.
The red and white colors mirror traditional mizuhiki decorative cords, symbolizing wishes for connection, peace and harmony in the coming year.
Kohaku Namasu is a light and refreshing quick pickled dish made with crunchy daikon radish and vibrant carrots flavoured with yuzu citrus. It is seriously addictive and is ready in just 12 hours!
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3. Kuri Kinton
Kuri Kinton transforms sweet potatoes and candied chestnuts into a golden treasure for your New Year’s feast.
This eye-catching dish gets its bright yellow color from Cape Jasmine seeds, making a sweet, rich mash that symbolizes wealth and prosperity for the year ahead.
No Japanese New Year’s feast would be complete without “Kuri Kinton”, a striking dish made with golden sweet potato mash mixed with candied chestnuts.
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4. Chikuzenni
Originating from Northern Kyushu, Chikuzenni combines tender chicken thigh with an array of root vegetables in a rich dashi broth.
This hearty nimono dish features ingredients whose names contain the lucky sound “n” (like renkon, ninjin, and daikon), making it a natural choice for New Year prosperity (luck is “un” in Japanese).
Chikuzenni is a nourishing dish made with tender chicken and hearty root vegetables simmered in a rich dashi broth. It often makes a special appearance during the New Year as part of “Osechi Ryori”, but really it can be enjoyed all year round!
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5. Sukiyaki
Sukiyaki is the perfect way to enjoy a meal with friends. The dish uses high-quality beef, which is sliced very thin and cooked in a sweet soy sauce. It’s served with grilled tofu and vegetables, too.
New Year’s in Japan calls for fancy dishes that bring families together, and sukiyaki hits the spot. The hot pot experience and premium ingredients make it a great choice for those who want to start the year with elegance and warmth around the table.
Wow your guests with this homemade Sukiyaki, a luxurious yet surprisingly simple dish made with thinly sliced beef, grilled tofu and a beautiful display of vegetables cooked in a sweet and rich “warishita” sauce.
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6. Ebi Fry
Ebi Furai transforms plump black tiger prawns into golden-crusted delights, where each bite reveals perfectly seasoned shrimp beneath a crispy panko coating.
In Japanese New Year’s tradition, shrimp symbolizes longevity and good fortune, with its curved shape representing a long life and its red-and-white coloring embodying celebration.
Learn how to make the ultimate Japanese Ebi Furai, a popular deep-fried dish made with juicy black tiger prawns coated in crunchy golden panko breadcrumbs and served with a creamy homemade tartar sauce!
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7. Temari Sushi
Temari Sushi takes traditional sushi and turns it into cute, bite-sized balls with colorful toppings.
During New Year’s, these vibrant treats bring both beauty and joy to the festive table. They’re perfect for hosts looking to impress their guests with a sophisticated yet approachable take on traditional sushi.
Temari sushi is a beautiful and delicious variation of sushi made with balls of vinegared rice topped with a variety of vibrant toppings. It’s easy to make and customize, and sure to be a show-stopper at parties and gatherings!
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8. Japanese Style Roast Beef
Japanese-style roast beef takes the classic Western dish and gives it a fresh, Eastern spin, pairing tender beef with umami-rich soy sauce and a touch of wasabi.
As modern families seek to blend tradition with contemporary tastes during New Year celebrations, this sophisticated dish bridges both worlds beautifully.
Use Japanese cooking techniques and flavors to create the most tender and flavorful “roast beef” with an umami-packed homemade sauce!
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9. Chanko Nabe
Chanko Nabe brings you the tradition of sumo wrestling through a hot pot full of tender chicken meatballs, fresh vegetables, and tofu in a delicate dashi broth.
When the holiday season calls for something warming yet wholesome, this communal hot pot answers beautifully.
Chanko nabe is a traditional dish eaten by Japanese sumo wrestlers. Packed with vegetables, tofu and delicious homemade chicken meatballs in a light dashi and chicken broth, why not enjoy this nutritious and warming dish at home?
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10. New Year’s Soba
Kake Soba celebrates simplicity through perfectly cooked buckwheat noodles swimming in crystal-clear dashi broth.
As the clock ticks towards midnight on New Year’s Eve, Japanese families get together for this warming bowl that marks the end of the old year and the start of the new one. It’s a great option for hosts who want to keep the tradition going while spending more time with their guests than in the kitchen.
Learn how to make this essential kake soba made with buckwheat noodles served in a delicious hot dashi soup. It’s tasty, warming and typically enjoyed on New Year’s Eve in Japan!
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11. Multiply Points
Yawata maki traditionally features burdock root, symbolizing the wish for “long-lasting happiness” in Japanese culture.
While my modern version skips the traditional burdock root, you can easily substitute it in to create the classic Osechi variation symbolizing long-lasting happiness for the New Year.
Beef Yawata Maki is a traditional dish from Kyoto made with beautifully arranged vegetables wrapped in tender beef or eel coated in a sticky teriyaki glaze. This stunning dish is popular in Osechi and makes a great appetizer or side dish!
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12. Zenzai
Zenzai is the perfect spot to warm up on those chilly winter days. Their rich red adzuki bean soup and pillowy toasted mochi topping are the perfect combo.
This dish is important in New Year traditions in Japan, traditionally enjoyed on January 11th during Kagami Biraki when New Year’s mochi decorations are broken down and transformed into this soul-warming soup.
Zenzai is a sweet and comforting soup made with red adzuki beans and sugar topped with chewy toasted mochi. Make this warming winter treat from scratch at home with just 5 ingredients!
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