Zoni (Japanese Soup Containing Rice Cakes and Japanese Mustard Spinach) ｜ Our Regional Cuisines

Aichi Prefecture

Zoni (Japanese Soup Containing Rice Cakes and Japanese Mustard Spinach)

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Image Source : Aichi's 50 Local Recipe Collection
Image Source : Aichi Dietetic Association

Main lore areas

All of Aichi Prefecture
Main ingredients used

Mochi (=rice cakes), "Mochina" (=Japanese mustard spinach)

History/origin/related events

Depending on the region that it is made, "zoni" is prepared differently. The ingredients used to make dashi (=Japanese soup stock), the flavor of the soup, the ingredients used, the shape of the mochi (=rice cakes) vary from region to region.
"Zoni" is eaten during the New Year holidays. In Aichi prefecture, rectangular-shaped mochi and a traditional vegetable from the Owari area named "mochina" (=Japanese mustard spinach) (komatsuna can be used as well) is served in a "sumashi-jiru" (=clear soup). There are three major theories as to how this simple "zoni" was born. The first is that Tokugawa Muneharu, a lord of the Owari Domain, who was enjoying a sumptuous meal was scolded by the shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune. The second is that the simple "zoni" respects Tokugawa Ieyasu’s motto of living simply and frugally. The third theory is that the word “na” (rape) and mochi (rice cake) were used to bring good luck, based on the word “na wo mochi ageru” (to gain fame) (to make Nagoya prosperous).
Aichi prefecture is famous for "Hatcho miso" (=dark red miso with a distinctive flavor), a type of soybean miso, however, miso is not used to make "zoni" in this prefecture. It is speculated that since miso is used daily, for New Year’s and other celebrations, the local people prefer to make "zoni" with "sumashi-jiru" (=clear soup). However, in some limited areas of Aichi, "zoni" is made using miso.
"Mochina" (=Japanese mustard spinach) is an indispensable ingredient when making "zoni" in Aichi prefecture. Another name for this vegetable is "shogatsuna". This vegetable has been cultivated in the Owari area for a long time and is like komatsuna, another type of Japanese mustard spinach, but is softer and sweeter with less bitterness. "Mochina" can also be eaten raw or blanched.
Opportunities and times of eating habits

This dish is eaten on the first three days of the New Year.
How to eat

To make this dish, rectangular-shaped mochi (=rice cakes), "mochina" (=Japanese mustard spinach) and chicken meat is served in a soy sauce flavored "sumashi-jiru" (=clear soup). Some people like to use komatsuna instead of "mochina". The rectangular-shaped mochi are added to the soup without grilling them beforehand. Bonito flakes are sometimes topped as well.
In the areas surrounding Nagoya, zoni is made without chicken meat and just mochi and "mochina". In the Mikawa region, where "Hatcho miso" (=dark red miso with a distinctive flavor) is made, zoni is sometimes made using miso. In coastal areas, slightly roasted dried goby is used to make dashi (=Japanese soup stock) for the "sumashi-jiru" (=clear soup) of the zoni.
Efforts for Preservation and Succession

(Outline of traditions, preservation societies, social media use, modern approaches for commercialization etc.)
This local dish is made at home and eaten during New Year’s each year.

RECIPE

Ingredients (4 servings)

Rectangular-shaped mochi (=rice cakes) 8
Mochina (=Japanese mustard spinach) 80g
Chicken breast meat 100g
Bonito flakes As needed
[A] Dashi (=Japanese soup stock) 600ml
[A] Sake 1 tbsp.
[A] Mirin (=sweet rice wine) 1 tbsp.
[A] Salt 1／2 tsp.
Soy sauce 2 tbsp.

How to cook

1. Cut the "mochina" (=Japanese mustard spinach) into 4cm lengths and cut the chicken breast meat into small pieces.
2. Put all the ingredients listed in [A] into a pan and heat. Once it starts to simmer, add the chicken breast meat from step 1 and the mochi(=rice cakes).
3. Once the mochi (=rice cakes) become soft, add the "mochina" (=Japanese mustard spinach) and after they are cooked, season with soy sauce. Serve in a bowl and add bonito flakes to taste.

Recipe Arrangements

You can use komatsuna (=Japanese mustard spinach) instead of "mochina". Sometimes, other ingredients such as kamaboko(=fish cakes) and shiitake mushrooms are added, and in other cases, only "mochina" is used.

provider : Aichi's 50 Local Recipe Collection

Recipes vary depending on the region and home.

Contact

Food Cultures Office, Overseas Market Development and Food Cultures Division, Food Industry Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Tel:+81-3-3502-5516

Zoni (Japanese Soup Containing Rice Cakes and Japanese Mustard Spinach) ｜ Our Regional Cuisines

Aichi Prefecture