On New Year's Eve or Omisoka 大晦日, it is a custom for Japanese to reflect on the past year and usher in the coming year, all while eating Soba noodle, called Toshikoshi Soba or year-crossing buckwheat noodle.
But, why do people eat soba?
Compared to Ramen, Udon and other pasta enjoyed in Japan, soba is rather firm to the bite, and easy to break while eating. Thus, soba symbolize ‘breaking off the old year or letting go of the regrets of the past year.’ Their thin, long shape is also synonymous with a long and healthy life!
Travel Kids Co., Ltd.
Tokyo, Japan
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