What is the Japanese New Year's Eve noodle dish whose name means “year-crossing soba”?

The Japanese New Year’s Eve noodle dish whose name means “year-crossing soba” is toshikoshi soba.

Toshikoshi soba is eaten on December 31, often shortly before or after midnight. The long buckwheat noodles are associated with longevity, while their ease of cutting is sometimes linked symbolically with leaving behind the hardships of the old year. Customs and toppings vary by region and household.

The dish is part of Japanese Ōmisoka observances, the traditional New Year’s Eve period. It is not the same as a single nationwide countdown meal: some families eat it at home, while others buy it from restaurants or food stalls. Common toppings include green onion, tempura and fish cake, but there is no one mandatory recipe.