御節料理 (Osechi-ryōri)

Osechi-ryori

  • おせち りょうり
  • Osechi-ryōri
  • Pitch 2, 0, 1
  • special foods
  • ways of food preparation

Meaning

御節料理 (おせち りょうり, Osechi-ryōri) is Osechi-ryori — a Japanese food (special foods, ways of food preparation).

What is Osechi-ryori?

Osechi-ryōri are traditional Japanese New Year foods. The dishes that make up osechi each have a special meaning celebrating the New Year. Originally, during the first three days of the New Year, it was a taboo to use a hearth and cook meals, except when cooking zōni . Osechi was made by the close of the previous year, as women did not cook in the New Year. In the earliest days, osechi consisted only of nimono , boiled vegetables with soy sauce and sugar or mirin. Over the generations, the variety of food included in osechi has increased. Today it may refer to anything prepared specially for the New Year. While osechi was traditionally prepared at home, it is also sold ready-made in specialty stores, grocery stores and even convenience stores.