Zōni

Zōni is a versatile Japanese dish which consists of mochi rice cakes served in a flavorful broth, complemented with various toppings. In the Kanto region, zōni is usually prepared with the clear dashi stock seasoned with fish flakes, while the Kansai-style usually employs an opaque broth seasoned with white miso.

The choice of toppings and the shape of the chewy mochi cakes are also regionally specific and might include chicken, fish cakes, daikon, and (in some coastal regions) even various seafood ingredients. It is believed that zōni initially appeared as a nutritious dish in the traditional samurai cuisine and was later incorporated in the Japanese New Year’s tradition. Nowadays, it is usually enjoyed as a warm and hearty New Year’s breakfast.