6 In Soup/ Video

Ozoni (Zoni) Recipe

Ozoni (Zoni) Recipe


Ozoni (お雑煮) is a special soup with Mochi (rice cake) in it that you eat in the morning on New Year’s Day in Japan.  We decorate the house with Mochi to dedicate to the New Year, and eat it to celebrate and hope for a good year.  We have a big meal called Osechi along with Ozoni, but we’ll talk about that some other time.

Although we made Kansai style (as usual), Ozoni is different region by region, and also household by household.  Clear fish broth is preferred in some areas, like Tokyo and Osaka, but Miso based soup is eaten in Kyoto or some parts of Shikoku.  The kind of mochi used is different, too.  Square baked Mochi, round fresh and soft Mochi, or even Mochi with Anko (sweet red beans) inside could be used in Ozoni.

Vegetables and meats in Ozoni also vary depending on where you are from.  Local products are often used because of abundance.  After all, Ozoni is an old world food that was cooked just from what you got long before convenient transportation.  However, typical ingredients are chicken, some fish, shrimp, and Kamaboko (fish cake) and winter vegetables like Daikon radish and carrots.  Mitsuba, sometimes called Japanese parsley, adds color and refreshing flavor to Ozoni, but if you can’t find it, use green onion instead.

For the soon coming new year, make nice and hot Ozoni and hope for you and your family’s health and good luck for a whole year.  Have a very Happy New Year!

Ozoni (Zoni) Recipe
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Ozoni (Zouni) Recipe

Japanese New Year soup with mochi rice cakes and vegetables.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: mochi, soup
Servings: 4 servings

*Links may contain ad. #CommissionsEarned

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Dashi
  • 1/2 cup Daikon radish thin and skinny slices
  • 1/2 cup carrot thin and skinny slices
  • 8 slices Kamaboko
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp Sake
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp salt
  • 8 Mochi
  • 1/2 bunch Mitsuba coarsely chopped

Instructions

  • Heat Dashi in a pot at medium temperature and add Daikon radish, carrot and Kamaboko, and cook until vegetables become tender.
  • Meanwhile, bake Mochi in a toaster oven about 5 minutes until the Mochi has expanded and browned.
  • Season soup with soy sauce, Sake, and salt.
  • In a soup bowl, place baked Mochi and pour hot soup, then sprinkle with Mitsuba.

Video



Ozoni (Zoni) Recipe

You Might Also Like

  • J. Kiyomi Okano
    September 19, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    I remember every year growing up for the new year Mom and Dad would set up the mochi machine and my mom’s sister and husband would come over and we would spend the whole day making home made mochi and monju. Those were the days!!! Yum!!!

    • Noriko
      September 19, 2013 at 7:02 pm

      Kiyomi san,
      Try it on next new year day!

  • Glenn Hashitani
    October 31, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    I love the internet for this reason. The people that knew how to make Ozoni soup in my circle of friends and family are gone. Glad to find the basic ingredients listed here. Don’t think I’ll wait until New Years.

    • Noriko
      November 3, 2013 at 3:21 pm

      Glenn,
      don’t need to! Make and eat Ozoni anytime you want!

  • Simon
    December 28, 2013 at 6:49 pm

    Happy new year!

    Thank you so much for all the recipes that you posted. Now soy sauce, mirin, and sake are regular members in my kitchen! I hope you had a wonderful year and a great one in 2014

    Best,
    Simon

    • Noriko
      January 7, 2014 at 10:57 pm

      Simon,
      happy new year to you too! Good to have basic ingredients!