Subject: Re: Toshikoshi soba (New Year's Eve Noodle Soup)
I just went to a Japanese grocery store and was surprised that
they have never heard of putting nishin (herring) in
Toshikoshi Soba (New Year's Eve noodle soup). I am originally from Kyoto,
but am not sure if this is a common practice in Kyoto, since my parents
grew up in Tokyo. Do any of you eat toshikoshi soba on New Year's Eve?
And what do you usually put in it?
Subject: Re: Toshikoshi soba (New Year's Eve Noodle Soup)
> Putting nishin (herring) in toshikoshi soba (New Year's Eve
> noodle soup). I am originally from Kyoto, but am not sure
> if this is a common practice in Kyoto.
About ten years ago, when I was in Kyoto, I tried nishin soba.
A friend of mine said at that nishin soba is a Kyoto thing.
I have not eaten soba with nishin since then.
I usually put ebi-ten (shrimp tempura) or kakiage (tempura of
small red shrimp and sliced onion/carrot/any other vegetable)
on toshikoshi soba.
Subject: Re: Toshikoshi soba (New Year's Eve Noodle Soup)
> What do you usually put in [toshikoshi soba]?
We eat it with shrimp tempura. My husband (a Japanese national)
says anything is okay, as long as you eat the noodles, since
the length of the noodles symbolizes longevity. The fish/tempura is
extra. I just don't want to leave out the wasabi in the sauce.
Subject: Re: Toshikoshi soba (New Year's Eve Noodle Soup)
> Do any of you eat toshikoshi soba on New Year's Eve?
I did not know of this custom until last year, when I celebrated
the New Year with some Japanese nationals for the first time.
It seems my parents (early 1960s immigrants) chose not to keep
any of the Japanese New Year traditions (It is only _the_ most
important holiday in Japan!). It is nice to discover that there
is something healthier to do on New Year's Eve than go drinking
at some boring party.
