Toshikoshi soba is the Japanese New Year's Eve dish made from buckwheat noodles.
Toshikoshi soba means “year-crossing soba.” Many people in Japan eat the noodles on December 31, often before midnight, as part of the transition from the old year to the new. The dish can be served hot in broth or prepared in regional and household variations.
The noodles carry several symbolic associations. Their long, thin shape is linked with longevity, while their ease of cutting is connected with leaving behind the hardships of the previous year. Buckwheat is also valued for its resilience, adding another layer of good-luck symbolism in popular explanations.
There is no single required topping or recipe. Tempura, green onions, kamaboko, and other ingredients may appear depending on the region and family. Toshikoshi soba should not be confused with osechi ryori, the collection of New Year's dishes generally prepared for the first days of the new year.