We had a traditional Japanese New Year meal for breakfast today. In our family, this is often what we have for New Year’s.

Grilled fish (red snapper), sake with gold flakes, ozoni (miso soup with mochi - rice cakes, carrot and spinach), bottom box is a variety of vegetables and chicken cooked in stock and soy sauce, top box is sliced fish paste cakes (white and pink), egg roll (brown and yellow), small fish with sugar and soy sauce, fish eggs (yellow, in a bowl), black beans, candied citrus peel, right box is fried chicken, salmon wrapped with kombu (seaweed), and sliced smoked salmon.

A healthy and hearty start to the new year, full of colour, taste and meaning. Every country has its own culture and traditions, likewise each family. This is how we choose to celebrate our new year. Best wishes to you all.