Hoppin' John is the traditional New Year's Eve dish of black-eyed peas and rice in the American South.
The dish usually combines black-eyed peas, rice, and pork, although recipes vary by region and household. It is strongly associated with the Lowcountry of South Carolina and Georgia and with African American foodways. Its history reflects West African culinary knowledge, ingredients and cooking practices carried through the Atlantic world, and local Southern traditions.
Hoppin' John became linked to New Year's Day good fortune. Black-eyed peas symbolize coins or prosperity, while greens served alongside it may represent paper money. Cornbread is sometimes added as another symbolic food, associated with gold. These meanings are cultural traditions rather than guarantees of financial success.
The name's origin is uncertain, and several folk explanations have been proposed. The dish should not be confused with plain black-eyed peas: Hoppin' John specifically refers to the cooked pea-and-rice preparation, commonly flavored with pork or another savory seasoning.