Kouhaku Namasu (紅白なます)

Kouhaku Namasu are a popular dish that brightens up New Year’s osechi cuisine, but some people may not know its meaning or origin. The vegetables are cut into thin strips and marinated in a sweet and tangy vinegar-based dressing. From here, we will introduce you to the details of red and white pickled vegetables, including the characteristics of the dish and the nutrients it contains.

What is Kouhaku Namasu?

Kouhaku Namasu (紅白なます) is a traditional Japanese dish made from julienned daikon radish and carrot, typically pickled in a sweet and tangy vinegar-based dressing. The name “Kouhaku” means “red and white,” referring to the colors of the carrot and daikon, which symbolize good fortune and celebration in Japanese culture. Namasu refers to a style of preparing vegetables or seafood with vinegar. The daikon and carrots offer fiber for digestion, vitamin C for immunity, and beta-carotene for eye health. Both vegetables provide potassium, supporting blood pressure regulation, and the vinegar dressing adds acetic acid, which may aid blood sugar control. Low in calories and fat, Kouhaku Namasu is a light and refreshing option.

Kouhaku Namasu History

Namasu originally came from China as a dish made with finely chopped raw meat or fish. Over time, it evolved into what we know today as a vinegar-dressed salad. The name namasu actually comes from namashishi, meaning “raw meat.” Historically, raw fish dishes were written with a specific character (鱠) showing the fish radical, while dishes made with meats like wild boar used a different character (醾) with a moon radical. As namasu developed in Japan, vinegar started during the Muromachi period. Around this time, a vegetarian version called shojin namasu, made with fruits and vegetables, also became popular.

Auspicious meaning of Kouhaku Namasu

The colors of the ingredients in Kouhaku Namasu resemble mizuhiki, a traditional Japanese paper string used to symbolize good luck, making it a dish that brings wishes for peace and calm. Since daikon radish and carrot are root vegetables that grow firmly in the soil, they represent stability and bring family harmony. Kouhaku Namasu is also sometimes called Genpei Namasu, symbolizing the red and white flags of Japan’s historical Heike and Genji clans. This dish in osechi is not only meaningful and festive but also nutritious.

What is the nutritional value of red and white namasu?

Kohaku namasu is a low-calorie dish that contains almost no fat, making it a healthy option.

What other types of namasu are there?

There are indeed a rich variety of types, such as persimmon namasu and mandarin orange namasu using fruits, daikon namasu and bell pepper namasu using vegetables, and fish namasu and oyster namasu using seafood.

Kouhaku Namasu Recipe

Conclusion

Kouhaku Namasu is a delightful and meaningful dish that embodies both the rich culinary tradition and the health-conscious aspects of Japanese cuisine. We hope you’ll have the chance to experience the unique flavors and health benefits of Kouhaku Namasu when you visit Japan. Don’t miss the opportunity to pick some up and savor this traditional dish, bringing good fortune and delicious memories during this New Year season.

You can try out other Osechi dishes we recommend below that will make you know more about Japan’s culture.