Hibachi Xpress

New Year’s Eve can be a reflective time for all of us, especially with the challenges we all faced in 2009. The family at Hibachi Xpress wants to wish each of you a New Year full of endless possibilities and happiness.

I also wanted to share with you some Japanese traditions. New Year (shogatsu or oshogatsu) is the most important holiday in Japan and you won’t see much outside activity January 1^st to January 3^rd as this is the time families gather together. Because the New Year is giving us a fresh start, all ‘to do’ lists need to be completed, houses cleaned and clothes washed. Parties are held to celebrate the leaving the old year’s troubles behind, called bonenkai parties. Homes are decorated with ornaments of pine, bamboo and plum trees.

On New Year’s Eve they eat buckwheat noodles which symbolizes longevity. As our custom on Thanksgiving is to watch the parade they have a New Year Eve custom watching the music show “kohaku uta gassen”, a popular TV show featuring many of Japan’s most famous J-pop and enka singers in spectacular performances.

The morning of New Years while we are recovering from the night before, the Japanese tradition is to witness the first sunrise of the New Year. Because houses have been cleaned and all “to do” lists are done, the next 3 days is stress-free; filled with family and love. It is common to visit a shrine or temple. Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine will see millions of people these first 3 days of a new year.

While many of us will be cooking up black eyes peas and collard greens for good luck and fortune, they will eat osechi-ryōri which is normally prepared in advance so no work has to be done. These dishes were originally created because they can sit in a cool area for a few days and not spoil, and since all stores are closed and no work is to be done for these 3 days, this became their tradition. These foods represent prosperity, good fortune and health.

These foods may include boiled seaweed, fish cakes, mashed sweet potatoes with chestnuts, simmered burdock root, tiny yellow fish eggs, black beans, a sardine dish (tazukuri), sweet egg custard and sweetened black soybeans. For fish shrimp represents a long life and sea bream is for auspicious fortune. There are many variations of osechi, and some foods eaten in one region are not eaten in other places (or are even banned) on New Year’s Day. Another popular dish is ozōni, a soup with omochi and other ingredients that differ based on various regions of Japan. Today, sashimi and sushi are often eaten, as well as non-Japanese foods. To let the very full tummy rest, a seven-herb rice soup , is served on the 7th day of January, a day known as jinjitsu.

We look forward to sharing good times and good food with you in 2010! Happy New Year!

2010 IS ALMOST HERE! Here at Hibachi Xpress we are gearing up for the New Year with lots of fun and exciting things in store for YOU, our loyal customers! Our blog is still a work in progress so each day you will see enhancements and cool fun tools added.

Please sign up on the top right today to celebrate our 2010 blog launch to start receiving special coupons, newsletters, whats happening in your back yard, fun ideas for the family and more (remember to verify via your email) and please send us emails and comments on topics you would like to hear more about.

Have a safe and joyous holiday! We hope you check out our new website and come by the restaurant to say hello! Mention you saw our blog in progress to receive our January special below NOW in December! Enjoy!