🍲 Sake no Kasuni (Simmered Salmon in Sake Lees)

In Japan, as part of the preparations to welcome Toshigami (the deity of the New Year), there is a tradition of preparing a special feast called "Toshikoshi" on New Year's Eve. Toshikoshi Soba (buckwheat noodles eaten on New Year's Eve) is one such dish, symbolizing longevity and prosperity as the long and thin noodles are associated with a wish for a long and healthy life. Fish also plays a significant role in Japanese New Year cuisine, often being offered as a sacred dish during rituals and festivals. Fish such as "Sake" (salmon) and the auspicious "Buri" (yellowtail) are considered symbols of good fortune, and they are enjoyed as celebratory dishes. The choice of New Year's fish may vary by region; for example, in Nagano Prefecture, the eastern part might use salmon (Sake), while the western part may prefer yellowtail (Buri). In regions where salmon is a specialty, dishes like "Salmon Kasu-jiru" (salmon soup with sake lees) or "Salmon Kasu-ni" (salmon simmered with sake lees) are essential components of the New Year's feast in the Toshin and Kami Ina regions.