As the year comes to a close and we prepare for a new year ahead, cultures around the world celebrate with a variety of dishes and traditions meant to bring prosperity, love, and luck. While the ingredients and rituals vary, each tradition reminds us that food is not only fuel, but also connection, excitement, and community. Every bite has a place at the table when it’s shared with meaning and joy.
Let’s dive into a few traditions around the world that may inspire you to spend the end of 2025 with a new dish!
12 Grapes in Spain
Families gather around to watch the clock at Puerta del Sol in Madrid and prepare to eat 12 grapes as it strikes midnight. One grape is eaten with the rhythm of the 12 chimes, with little time to savor in between. It’s thought that each grape represents each month of the year ahead and if you manage to eat all 12 grapes in time, you will have a prosperous year!
12 Round Fruits in the Philippines
A colorful platter of 12 round fruits is served during New Year celebrations. Each fruit represents one month of the year, while their shape represents coins and good fortune. Common fruits served include apples, mangoes, dragon fruit, cherries, calamansi, grapes, melons, and more!
Lentils in Italy
Italians also celebrate the New Year with coin-shaped food, here in a much smaller version. Lentils are served on New Year’s Eve to bring good luck for the year ahead. This tradition dates back to ancient Rome where lentil-filled leather pouches were common gifts on the holiday in hopes of good fortune.
Soba Noodles in Japan
Throughout the country, it is tradition to eat soba noodles, or buckwheat noodles, on the last day of the year. The dish, Toshikoshi soba, which translates to year-crossing noodles, or New Year’s noodles, is usually eaten in a warm broth or with a cold dipping sauce. Eating soba noodles on this day acts as a way to break free of the prior year’s hardships and embrace luck and longevity for the year ahead.
No matter the country or culture, food can bring people together to celebrate and create memories. Each of these New Year’s traditions honor joy and excitement over rules or restrictions.
Here’s to a new year filled with good company, delicious food, and the reminder that all foods fit.
