Toshikoshi soba is the Japanese New Year's food made from buckwheat noodles traditionally eaten on New Year's Eve.
The name toshikoshi soba means “year-crossing soba.” In Japan, people commonly eat the noodles on December 31, often in a simple hot broth, as they prepare to cross from the old year into the new one. Recipes vary by region and household, so toppings may include green onions, tempura, fish cake, or other ingredients.
Several symbolic explanations are associated with the dish. The noodles' length can represent longevity, while their ease of cutting is linked to leaving behind the hardships of the previous year. Buckwheat's ability to withstand weather is also sometimes connected with strength and resilience.
Toshikoshi soba is distinct from osechi ryōri, the assortment of foods prepared for New Year's Day. It is also different from the noodles eaten at other seasonal occasions. Customs are not identical in every Japanese household, but New Year's Eve soba is one of Japan's best-known year-end food traditions.