Nishime

The Japanese, who first arrived in the islands in 1868, have had a profound influence on Hawai‘i's culinary scene.  

Nishime is a traditional Japanese dish served for the New Year, with ingredients of special symbolism.  Some common ingredients in nishime and their meanings include:


•Gobo: strength & stability

•Carrot: flowers / good fortune

•Konbu: joy / happiness

•Konnyaku: harmony

•Aburaage: favorite food of Inari foxes, which ward off disease and bad spirits

•Lotus root: happy future without obstacles

•Shiitake: longevity

•Bamboo shoots: prosperity

•Daikon: fertility / good health

•Araimo: prosperity

Snow peas: good luck / ward off evil spirits