Easy methods to Pack Osechi Ryori in 3-Tier Containers • Simply One Cookbook

Osechi packing made easy! Right here’s my beginner-friendly information on methods to pack Osechi Ryori in 3-tier bins referred to as jubako. With step-by-step images, a video tutorial, and useful suggestions, you’ll have the ability to put together stunning osechi bins with confidence on your Japanese New 12 months feast.

Fast Overview

Osechi ryori is the conventional Japanese New 12 months feast served in two- or three-tiered lacquered bins referred to as jubako (重箱).

Every dish is organized with care as an providing to the 12 months God. The stacked layers symbolize “piling up blessings” for happiness and luck within the 12 months forward.

That can assist you get pleasure from this particular custom with ease at dwelling, I’ll stroll you thru:

• conventional tips for packing osechi bins;
• methods to plan your osechi format;
• what meals go in every tier;
• my favourite props; and
• methods to organize colours, shapes, and textures for one of the best visible affect.

Now, let’s start!

Guidelines for Packing Osechi

We comply with a number of conventional “guidelines,” however don’t fear—consider them as useful tips. Give attention to the that means and good needs of this festive meal quite than perfection.

1. Place particular gadgets in every field tier
   • This three-tier format is conventional, although it varies by area and household. You may also use one or two bins and even platters.
     • High tier: Small appetizers to get pleasure from with drinks
     • Center tier: Grilled and vinegared dishes
     • Backside tier: Simmered dishes

2. Season barely stronger
   • Salt and sugar are pure preservatives that gradual bacterial development.
   • They assist the flavors stability because the dishes mellow over time.

3. Pack solely chilly or room temperature dishes
   • Lacquered jubako bins usually are not meant for warm meals.
   • Enable every dish to chill absolutely earlier than packing. Condensation can result in spoilage.
   • You’ll be able to put together many gadgets prematurely and refrigerate till able to pack.

4. Serve in odd numbers
   • Odd numbers are thought of fortunate in Japanese tradition.
   • Organize meals in teams of 3, 5, 7, or 9 items.
   • When you have an excellent variety of items, add a garnish—like a small leaf or citrus peel—for an auspicious presentation.

My Favourite Osechi Props

To make osechi simpler and prettier, three gadgets come to my thoughts:

1. colourful mini bowls to carry unfastened meals or condiments
2. bamboo leaves or shiso leaves to position beneath meals or to compartmentalize
3. nanten leaves (nandina, heavenly bamboo, or sacred bamboo), inexperienced maple leaves, or pine needles for a pop of shade

• You don’t want to make use of these actual gadgets. Merely search for props that present separation, add peak, and improve presentation.

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Watch Video Tutorial on Easy methods to Pack Osechi Ryori

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Easy methods to Pack Osechi Ryori in Jubako

The High Tier

The primary field (Ichinoju, 一の重) is the “face” of osechi with the colourful and exquisite small dishes. We get pleasure from them with drinks like otoso and sake, just like appetizers or hors d’oeuvres. I take advantage of the ichimatsu (市松 checkerboard) design with 9 sq. compartments.

1. Begin with a middle dish that has a reasonably shade and form. Right here, I put salmon roe in an octagonal bowl. Another choice is nice black beans or daikon and carrot salad in a yuzu cup.

2. To take care of the identical peak because the salmon roe, I lay two slices of fish cake (kamaboko) as a peak “booster.” Then, I add kamaboko on high in a checkerboard design. We use purple (pink) and white for glad events.

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3. I add a slice of rolled egg omelette on its aspect as one other booster earlier than placing the omelette slices on high in order that they’re the identical peak because the salmon roe and fish cake.

4. Likewise, I add simmered salmon kelp rolls with a booster beneath.

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5. If you should buy bamboo leaves, use one to make a compartment or divider. It additionally provides a pop of contemporary inexperienced shade, peeking out from the aspect of the field.

6. I add candied chestnut and candy potatoes on high of the leaf. Then, I place candied sardines (anchovies) within the subsequent compartment with the heads dealing with left for luck (the standard rule).

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7. I lay a small piece of fish cake as one other booster, then I place a yuzu cup with daikon and carrot salad on high. This introduces a brilliant shade and distinctive form to make the osechi even prettier.

8. Pack candy black soybeans in a reasonably container like this pentagon-shaped bowl for visible curiosity. I sprinkle gold flakes to make it extra festive. Pack the herring roe vertically within the final compartment.

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9. For the ultimate contact, add leaves of heavenly bamboo (nandina, nanten) as a colourful garnish. Your high tier is now accomplished!

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The Center Tier

The second field (Ninoju, 二の重) contains grilled dishes (primary dishes) and vinegared dishes. I used the suehiro (末広) design spreading out like an open fan from the middle to create 5 compartments.

1. Place a brightly coloured bowl within the middle. To create extra compartments, fold bamboo leaves in half lengthwise and reduce to suit. I add simmered shrimp within the middle; you would additionally use daikon and carrot salad in a yuzu cup.

2. First, add a cumbersome dish like yellowtail teriyaki into half of 1 compartment, then fill in with a small dish like butter shoyu scallops.

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3. Pack a visually interesting and shorter dish towards the entrance, like pickled chrysanthemum turnip (radish).

4. Subsequent, select a taller dish like pickled lotus root to pack vertically within the again so it received’t block the opposite dishes.

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5. I add pounded burdock root to fill the final compartment neatly.

6. Lastly, add touches of inexperienced. Simply 1–2 nandina leaves make an enormous distinction!

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The Backside Tier

Lastly, the third field (Sannoju, 三の重) incorporates a simmered dish.

1. Add simmered rooster and greens, distributing brown components evenly within the field. Garnish with colourful gadgets like carrots and snow peas for a brilliant, contemporary end.

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Easy methods to Serve Osechi Ryori

When everybody gathers on New 12 months’s Day morning (it’s extra like brunch at my home), we benefit from the 12 months’s first and most essential meal collectively.

Right here’s how we often serve the feast:

1. Lay out every tier on the middle of the desk. All the pieces ought to already be at room temperature.
2. Take pleasure in mochi in Ozoni (Japanese New 12 months rice cake soup) alongside the osechi dishes.
3. Add different dishes if you want, comparable to grilled purple snapper, roast beef, and salad.
4. Drink otoso (お屠蘇), the standard New 12 months’s spiced sake, to welcome good well being and good luck.
5. Use celebratory chopsticks referred to as iwaibashi (祝い箸), if out there. They’re pointy on each ends and wrapped in purple and white envelopes with the character kotobuki (寿) for lengthy life, congratulations, and a contented event.

It’s a easy, cozy strategy to get pleasure from this particular meal collectively and begin the brand new 12 months with heat hearts.

FAQs

I hope this packing information for osechi ryori was useful and inspirational. Good luck!

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Editor’s Observe: This put up was initially printed on December 18, 2019, up to date on June 24, 2024, and republished on December 25, 2025, with extra useful info.