"Soba."
Description
"For the Japanese, soba is what spaghetti is to the Italians. However, soba often represents more than just a dish. Unlike spaghetti, it symbolises purity, longevity, and craftsmanship. Toshikoshi soba (年越しそば), a Japanese tradition, beautifully illustrates the deep cultural roots of soba - roots that extend far beyond a simple meal. On New Year’s Eve, almost every family in Japan eats soba. The long noodles are easily cut, symbolising the cutting away of all the misfortunes and mishaps of the past year. Their length also represents the wish for a long and healthy life. Although soba is made only from buckwheat flour and water, it takes years to learn how to prepare it properly. In a fit of bravado, I tried making soba myself - but failed. Judging by how short my soba turned out, I should have died shortly after birth! I took this photo a few years ago in Kyoto. Judging by his soba, he must be at least 130 years old."Try it!
