Gu-zōni
A traditional New Year’s dish from the Shimabara region

About Gu-zōni

Gu-zōni (具雑煮) is a hearty dish filled with a variety of seafood, vegetables, and other ingredients, making it a great source of nutrition. The specific ingredients can vary from household to household, giving each version its own unique flavor. This dish is a celebration of umami, with flavors coming together from the diverse ingredients used.

It is a traditional dish originating from the Shimabara Peninsula, which was once the domain of the Shimabara clan. During the Shimabara Rebellion, it is said that the rebel leader, Amakusa Shirō, instructed the farmers to preserve rice cakes (mochi) and other supplies. They gathered various ingredients from the mountains and the sea to prepare zōni, ensuring they had the nutrition to endure the three-month-long conflict.

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