2026 osechi: part 1

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It’s New Year’s Day, and we decided to kick off 2026 with some osechi (御節), the traditional Japanese meal for the new year prepared in advance to be served during the first few days of the year. In the old days, many restaurants are closed during this period, and home cooks also get the chance to have a break, so having a few days’ supply of dishes that can be served without reheating became the way to survive for a few days.

I happened to have some Shangri-La Golden Circle points expiring at the end of 2025, and decided to redeem the points to exchange for the osechi from Nadaman (なだ万). We did this a couple of years ago, and while I don’t know if theirs is the best one in town, one certain can’t go wrong with this option.

Many of the items in an osechi box are traditional and carry certain well wishes for the new year, so some of them will be present no matter which source one purchases from. The ones from Nadaman are not family-size but single servings, and only have one layer to the box. There are, however, three parts to the meal.

Iwaizakana (祝肴):

Red and white pickled radish (紅白なます) – cut into ribbons to resemble the celebratory strings or ropes which come in red and white. Symbolizes wish for peace and prosperity. This came with the salmon roe.

Marinated salmon roe (イクラの醤油漬け) - not as many eggs at herring roe but probably similar symbolism.

Herring roe (数の子) - there are lots of eggs here, which symbolizes prosperity with many descendants. This always has a crunchy texture.

Sweetened chestnut (勝ち栗金団) - resembling a gold nugget and symbolizing wealth, good fortune, and prosperity. Very sweet but I love it.

Red and white broiled fish cake (紅白蒲鉾) - resembling the the first rising sun of the year. Red serves to ward off evil while white symbolizes purity.

Rolled omelet (伊達巻き) - the scroll-shape of the roll serves as a charm for cultural learning. This was the sponge cake version of the classic tamagoyaki (卵焼き), made with eggs and fish/shrimp paste.

Black beans (黒豆) and crosnes (長老木) - these sweetened black soybeans are meant to ward off evil and expresses wish for good health and longevity. Served with pickled crosnes in traditional red and white, symbolizing longevity.

Wagyu roll with bamboo shoots (和牛巻き) - this was OK. Obviously the beef fat isn't at its best when served cold, but the chunk of bamboo shoot was sweet. The fast-growing bamboo shoots which aim for the sky symbolizes upward mobility and success.

Dried mullet roe (唐墨) - symbolizing wish for scholarly achievements as the shape of dried mullet roe resembles traditional ink sticks. Unfortunately this was really fucking salty. Sips of water were needed with every little bite.

Steamed chicken meatloaf (松風)

Smoked duck (鴨ロース)

Abalone (鮑) - this was written on the menu but seemed to be missing...

Pickled turnip (蕪)

Takiai (多喜合):

Cooked prawn (海老のうま煮) - prawns bend and curl up when cooked, which resembles elderly people hunched over, representing a wish for longevity.

Kelp roll (昆布巻き) - the word for "kelp (昆布)" sounds similar to the word for "joy (喜ぶ)".

Taro (小芋) - as a "parent" tuber can be planted to yield many "child" tubers, this symbolizes fertility and prosperity.

Turtle shell shiitake (亀甲椎茸) - shiitake is cut into the shape resembling a turtle shell, symbolizing longevity.

Plum flower carrot (梅花人参) - the red symbolizes longevity, while plum blossoms yield fruits and are considered auspicious.

Burdock (牛蒡) - this was written on the menu but missing.

Eel cooked with Arima sansho pepper (鰻の有馬山椒煮) - hoping for success. I love eel and I could taste the sansho (山椒) pepper powder. Nice chunk of jelly attached.

Sugar snap peas (スナップ豌豆)

Yakimono (家喜物) - grilled dishes.

Black cod saikyoyaki (銀鱈西京焼き) - the phrase for eating cod belly (鱈腹) sounds like たらふく食べる, meaning eating to the heart's content. This was pretty nice and familiar.

Yellowtail teriyaki (鰤の照り焼き) - praying for success in life. Not as tasty as the cod.

Scallop grilled with shuto (帆立の酒盗焼き) - scallop's name in Japanese evokes a raised sail, symbolizing success.

Vinegar-marinated ginger (生姜酢)

Sweetened yuzu rind (柚子)

I was very happy to have started the new year with an osechi box as my first meal. Hopefully the prayers that come with the dishes will come true, and we will have a good 2026.