Celebrating New Year with Osechi Ryori

Osechi Ryori are the traditional foods eaten on New Year’s Days. The osechi ryori includes food that had symbolic significance for health, fertility, longevity and good fortune. The preparation of making osechi ryori is usually finished before New Year. The dishes are either dried or high in sugar or vinegar to preserve the food for a couple of days. Each dish serves as a wish for the coming year. There are some meanings behind the dishes of traditional osechi ryori,

Names of dishes (In Japanese)	Names of dishes (In English)	Meaning
Daidai	Japanese bitter orange	It symbolizes a wish for children in the New Year
Datemaki	Sweet rolled omelette mixed with fish paste	It symbolizes a wish for many auspicious days
Kamaboko	Broiled fish cake	It has a celebratory, festive meaning
Kazunoko	Herring Roe	It symbolizes a wish to be gifted with numerous children in the New Year
Konbu	Seaweed	It has a meaning of joy
Kuro mame	Black soybeans	It symbolizes a wish for health in the New Year
Tai	Red sea bream	It symbolizes an auspicious event
Tazukuri	Dried sardines in soy sauce	It symbolizes an abundant harvest
Ebi	Prawns cooked with sake and soy sauce	It symbolizes a wish for a long-life
Nishiki tamago	Egg roulade	It symbolizes wealth and good fortune

Many Japanese posted the pictures of osechi ryori in their instagram account. They were so colorful and pretty. The sight of the food will make your mouth water. Let’s see some of their postings below.