What's This in Japan? - When Holidays Collide

[JakeZehSnake]

It's a shrimp in a bowl of blood, signifying mankind (And Santakind)'s victory over the great exoskeletal crustacean beast!

[dragonkiller14]

IT KFC

[gaijinyakuzza]

i thought it was a bucket of kfc lol

[softypapa]

Hello gaijinyakuzza, This would indeed make sense as KFC is indeed very popular as a Christmas meal here in Japan. Thanks for sharing! -Kurt :-)

[artshrinevideos]

Maybe Christmas soba makes more sense than Christmas "chicken". Beautiful chalk drawing! I like it!

[TiramisuHappy]

Peekingduck's got it! It's Tempura Soba.

But that's pretty easy to identify especially if you're a gastronome or connoisseur of Japanese cuisine. Brown-colored thin noodles tell you it's soba and not udon.

But I think the word you're looking for is "Toshikoshi Soba." Which is traditionally what the Japanese eat on New Year's Eve (Omisoka) to usher in the new year. The word "toshikoshi" literally means "crossing over into the new year."

I don't know when or where this custom originated....

[TiramisuHappy]

...but this is something that, if you're Japanese, you MUST do every year! The significance of eating buckwheat noodles (soba), which is very long and thin, is that you'll have a long and prosperous life. Long relationships between friends and loved ones. Etc, etc.

Although, I understand that some people eat Toshikoshi Udon as well, instead of soba. My family used to eat just plain soba in a bowl of hot soup/broth with some chopped "negi" (scallions) on top. But I LOVE everything with tempura!!

[softypapa]

Hello TiramisuHappy, That's it! Thank you for providing this excellent description of how soba noodles are enjoyed in Japan on New Year's Eve. I was delighted to see this image of Santa holding his bowl of soba which seemed such a delightful combination of two cultural icons. Thank you for watching and sharing your terrific answer and personal story! Now...where are my chopsticks and shichimi! -Kurt :-)

[TiramisuHappy]

I'm going to Mitsuwa Market (which is the largest Japanese supermarket on the entire Eastern seaboard) this weekend to stock up on some noodles for the New Year's Eve before they go out of stock again!! I totally lucked out last year. : (

You'd be amazed how many different kinds of soba they have there. It's INSANE!!

[Seanuk]

0:13 is the young girl saying 'itadakimausu'?

[softypapa]

Hello Seanuk, I'm not sure.... The kids were all just leaving the room to go outside and play, so she may have been saying Ittekimasu (I'm leaving). -Kurt :-)

[xLacey]

I'm guessing it has to do with the winter solstice and being healthy during the winter months. Sure sounds good too. lol

[Peekingduck]

Tempura soba !

[plathhs]

I was first thinking it might be 御節料理 (osechi-ryori), but then I realized that the drawing looked more like a bowl of kinpira with kamaboko and ebi fry (an interesting combination by the way), instead of the typical bento-box. So I'm not really sure.

[softypapa]

Hello plathhs, You are indeed correct in identifying this as osechi-ryori. Thank you for watching and being the first with the right answer! -Kurt :-)

[TiramisuHappy]

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but I think that someone who lives in Japan and has a Japanese family probably needs to know the difference between Toshikoshi soba and Osechi ryouri. They are completely separete foods with equally different significance. Osechi is to be eaten only on or after the New Year's Day when traditionally most households do not cook for the first few days of the new year. There are no noodles involved in Osechi. It consists mostly of seafood, vegetables, legumes..

[softypapa]

Hello TiramisuHappy, Thank you for pointing out this difference. I was unaware that Toshikoshi soba did not fall und the umbrella of Osechi ryouri. It's always a good thing to learn. -Kurt :-)

[TiramisuHappy]

If you're still eating (leftover) Toshikoshi soba on or after the New Year's Day (thinking that it fell under the category of Osechi ryouri,) that's a BAD LUCK!!!

Now you owe me! ; P

[softypapa]

Wow! I had no idea that eating the leftover soba (yuck) would be bad luck. We always get our New Year's soba at my father-in-law's favorite soba restaurant and finish everything at once so gladly we are to-date safe. This is great information and I really appreciate your sharing such details with us. I feel much better prepared for the upcoming New Year events at my wife's house. I do indeed own you one and thanks again! -Kurt :-)

[FeileCase]

HI~ LOOKS LIKE NABEYAKI UDON~ W/ SHRIMP TEMPURA...YET, I'VE NO CLUE WHAT IT STANDS FOR or SYMBOLIZES.

[softypapa]

Hello FeileCase, Like others you are on the right track in terms of identifying what type of meal this is (i.e. noodles). However, the trick is in identifying the significance of this meal and specifically the time when it is enjoyed. This event is very significant in Japan and marks an important time in the annual cycle. -Kurt :-)

[plathhs]

Ah, yes, it has to be nabeyaki udon.

[BusanKevin]

Christmas udon???? hehe

I dunno...maybe we should start a new holiday tradition. teach children to leave a bowl of soba by the fireplace instead of cookies....so Santa can have a healthier snack!

[softypapa]

Hello Kevin, You are the closest yet... What traditions does your wife's family enjoy this time of the year? Do any of these involve noodles?? -Kurt :-)

[hapsap]

as long as you prepare it with Kikkoman then its allways good ^^

[Medracin]

I reckon it's tempura and that steamed fish cake thing that they have in Japan. I can't remember it's name, I just remember having seen it on cookingwith dog :P

[softypapa]

Hello Medracin, You too are close in terms of identifying the food, however this particular meal represents an important time during the year in Japan. And the pairing with the jolly elf is a curious combination of cultural traditions from the Japan and the west. I'll give you a hint... nearly every Japanese person will be indulging in this meal within the next 30 days. -Kurt :-)

[MicknFumi]

Ramen?

[softypapa]

Hello MicknFumi, That was my first guess as well as I stood at the front of the class gazing at this. It's not ramen though you are close. -Kurt :-)