Toshikoshi soba is the Japanese buckwheat-noodle dish traditionally eaten on New Year’s Eve for longevity.
The name means “year-crossing soba.” The long, thin noodles are commonly interpreted as symbols of longevity and a long life. Because soba noodles can be cut more easily than some other noodles, another interpretation connects them with leaving behind the hardships of the old year.
Families eat the dish on December 31, often in a simple hot broth with toppings such as scallions, tempura or fish cake. Recipes vary by region and household, so there is no single required topping or soup style.
Toshikoshi soba is separate from osechi ryōri, the collection of New Year foods prepared in lacquered boxes and eaten during the first days of the year. It is also distinct from mochi, sticky rice cakes that appear in many Japanese New Year customs and dishes.