By Jasmine Kaur
Planning to attract good luck for the new year? The Japanese tradition of eating soba noodles might help you this time.
Made with buckwheat, soba noodles are a Japanese variety that are longer than regular noodles. They are added to a warm or cold broth or paired with dipping sauces.
In Japanese culture, the long strands of soba noodles signify longevity and eating them is said to attract good luck and a longer life.
Also known as toshikoshi soba or new year soba, these noodles are symbolic of a better fortune, where buckwheat reflects resilience and easily-broken noodles signify letting go of past hardships.
During the Edo period, the elite Japanese ate rice-based dishes and developed Vitamin B1 deficiency. To cure the disease and prevent deficiency, buckwheat-based soba noodles were introduced in the diet.
Toppings of soba noodles also hold significance. The shrimps, shaped like an old man, indicate a longer life while the fried tofu sheets are a symbol of trade and harvest.