What Japanese New Year's Eve custom involves eating soba noodles for longevity?

The Japanese New Year's Eve custom of eating soba noodles for longevity is called Toshikoshi soba.

The name means “year-crossing soba,” and the dish is traditionally eaten on December 31. The long, thin buckwheat noodles symbolize longevity and the wish for a long life. Their easy-to-cut texture also supports a symbolic interpretation: leaving behind the hardships or debts of the old year.

The custom is associated with the Edo period, when soba became increasingly common in urban Japanese food culture. Its exact origin is debated, and several explanations coexist, including the noodles' length, their association with strength, and historical stories about serving soba to people in need.

Recipes vary by region and household. The noodles may be served in a hot broth with toppings such as scallions, fish cake, tempura, or fried tofu. Toshikoshi soba is distinct from osechi ryōri, the specially prepared New Year's food eaten during the first days of January.