Fukubukuro is a Japanese New Year’s tradition in which a fukubukuro is made, the contents of which are unknown, and sold at a substantial discount of 50% or more of the list price. They are usually sold at a discount of 50% or more of the list price.
The word “fukubukuro” is composed of the words “Fuku” and “sack”. Fuku comes from the proverb, “There is good fortune in what remains.”
Popular stores usually have long lines of eager customers waiting for their fukubukuro bags a few hours before they open on New Year’s Day. Foreign brands are also aggressively selling fukubukuro.
Baby Food In Japan (5-8 Months) : Veggie Based Smoothie
In this recipe video, I will introduce how to make Japanese baby foods for 5 to 8 months old. This time, I introduce veggie based smoothies so that babies and parents can share.We will use some veggies and even tofu!
Toshikoshi Soba, or year-end buckwheat noodles, is a dish eaten annually on New Year’s Eve in Japan. This tasty tradition carries great significance and symbolizes the crossing over from one year to the next.
The custom of eating soba on New Year’s Eve is said to have started in the Edo Period (1603-1868). There are many theories behind the origins of this custom. One suggests that since buckwheat noodles are easier to cut than thicker varieties, it represents the cutting away of any bad luck built up over the course of the year.
Other beliefs point out how soba is healthy, so eating it is a great way to wish for good health in the new year. Since soba noodles are also long and thin, the noodles symbolize long life. Thus, it’s customary to eat them with the hope for longevity.
This time, I made a tempura soba. Since my kids are not a fan of fried shrimp at the moment, so I fried chikuwa (fish cake), Kanikama (fake crab meat), pumpkin aside with spring roll with ham and cheese. My family ate all of it. Yummy!
My family love dipping style soba. How about you?
Shime-kazari (Special decoration for Japanese New Year’s)
A shimenawa is a rope used to mark the boundary between this world and the next at shrines and other sacred places where gods are worshipped.
A shimenawa with lucky charms and other decorations attached to it is called a shime-Kazari. This is also a part of the Shogatsu event, which means that the house with the shime-kazari is ready to welcome the god of the year and is a sacred place.
The presence of the shimekazari makes the place safe and pure for the gods of the year to come down with peace of mind.
Originally, shime-kazari was usually made of rice straw to wish for a good harvest, but recently, more and more traditional shime-kazari are being arranged.
Menu: – Santa sushi roll [Recipe] – Japanese omelette [Recipe] – Tofu croquettes – Hijiki seaweed with carrot and fried tofu [Recipe] – Tuna and spinach salad – Banana & Apple
Menu: – Inarizushi (Inari Sushi) [Recipe] – Miso soup with fried tofu and Nori seaweed [Recipe] – Grilled chicken with miso sauce – Japanese omelette [Recipe] – Stir-fry young bean sprouts and bean sprouts – Simmered chikuwa and green pepper – Pickled plum
I have an announcement to make this time. That is, I was interviewed by NHK WORLD JAPAN for their radio program “Living in Japan” and went to the studio to participate in the recording!!!
“Living in Japan” is a program that provides hints and tips for foreigners who are living or planning to live in Japan, as well as for those who are interested in Japanese culture.
In the recording, I talked about topics such as “How to start cooking Japanese food” and “Easy & Delicious dishes to cook during this season” etc. Since it was a radio program, my favorite song and its episode will also be introduced in the program.
It was my first time to record a radio show, but the MCs Kevin (YouTuber&Influencer) & Ruth (Company Consultant CEO) created a fun atmosphere, so I was able to enjoy the show and finish it.
The episode I was interviewed in will be aired on January 2, 2022 (SUN) at 1:10 pm Japan time. The program will be broadcast on the NHK World’s Free App, Radio, and Website and archived on On Demand, so don’t worry if you missed it! https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/radio/livinginjapan/
I’m also very excited to see how the show turns out.❤️
Menu: – Santa sushi roll [Recipe] – Reindeer Inarizushi [Recipe] – Miso soup with mushroom and fried tofu [Recipe] – Sweet potato with honey and lemon – Hijiki seaweed with carrot and fried tofu [Recipe] – Sesame salad with spinach, sprouts and carrot – Simmered pumpkin
Menu: – Japanese rice with Natto [Recipe] – Miso soup with chikuwa and wakame [Recipe] – Teriyaki Tofu rolled with pork – Hijiki seaweed with carrot and chikuwa [Recipe] – Sesame salad with spinach [Recipe]
