Osechi at Kyo Ya

Osechi Ryori is what Japanese people traditionally eat on the first day of the new year or for the first few days of the new year. My mom explained to me that Japanese women, back in the day, would spend a few days before the new year preparing these "osechi ryori" which were meant to last a few days and so the women could take a break from cooking for the first few days of the new year. Sexist right? Hahahah... anyways.

I love Osechi because of the tradition. The food itself is like nothing EXTRAORDINARY! It's stuff like kamaboko (broiled fish cakes) nimono (stewed vegetables), kuromame (black soybeans), ozoni (soup with mochi), and kurikinton (mashed sweet potato with chestnuts).

My mom usually does Oshogatsu (New Year) at her home with store bought osechi ryori (of course beautifully presented in a Jubako, which is like a fancy bento box), but since our apartment is a complete mess right now, she treated us to a special Shogatsu dinner at Kyo Ya. Kyo Ya is our favorite Japanese restaurant ever. Every time we go there, we know we will have a perfect meal. See here, and here.

Tonight, Kyo Ya had their regular a la carte menu and the special shogatsu menu. We went with the Osechi Ryori of course! Plus some sashimi (because their sashimi is the best that I have EVER had!), and dessertsies!

Sashimi comes first:

Always beautifull presented... lemme introduce you...

Starting with the bottom right, going clockwise: Salmon Trout, Madai, Hamachi, Kibinago with Miso/Mustard Sauce?


Red Bafun Sea Urchin


Saba (front) and Shima Aji


Madai


Tako

Here's The English Sashimi Menu... Match the Japanese Names to the English Ones!


Then.... the Osechi Ryori!




Ikura (Salmon Roe) With Flavored Yuzu Citrus


Kombu Wrapped Baby Sardine, Grilled Satoimo Topped with Seafood Sauce, Kamaboko, Kazunoko (Herring Roe... very front long piece)


Slow Cooked Black Bean with PIckled Root


Saikyo Yaki Snapper, Magari Shrimp, ::bright red ball:: = pickled plum?, Cooked Awabi, Pickled Gobo (Burdock Root)


Daikon and Kaki (Persimmon) Namasu


And we order more!


Chestnut with Mix Grain Rice


Ozoni


Skate Fish Kara-Age


Sweet Potato Tempura (by itself or with Mongolian Salt or Soy Sauce)

And Desserts prepared by Mr. YUJI!


OMG... I died after the first bite, went to heaven, came back and took another bite because God loves me :-) This was Kaki (Persimmon) Sorbet with Red Beans and Shiratama (dough balls)...


And the most deliciously bitter, tastes-exactly-like-real-Hojicha, Hojicha Ice Cream with a Black Bean. OMG this was incredible. It was so bitter, with just the slightest amount of sweetness... tasted exactly like I was drinking Hojicha!

I <3 Kyo Ya... Go!


Kyo Ya (Menupages)
94 E 7th St (@ 1st Ave)
New York, NY 10079
Phone: 212-982-4140