Add a Little Extra to Your Osechi: Enjoy an Easy New Year with Seven Premium
When it comes to New Year’s celebrations in Japan, osechi* is a must. Still, even after preparing a full spread, have you ever thought, “We ate it all so fast,” or “I wish we could enjoy a few different flavors as well”?
*osechi: A selection of traditional Japanese New Year dishes, typically prepared in advance and served in stacked boxes.
That’s where Seven Premium comes in handy. From classic Japanese-style dishes to Western and Chinese-inspired items that offer a refreshing change, you can easily “add a little extra” depending on what you’re craving.
It’s also perfect for those spending New Year’s on their own this year. By choosing small portions of what you like and combining them freely, you can create an osechi set that’s just right for you. With a little creativity in the presentation, it can look just as festive and refined as a traditional osechi.
"A Spoonful of Enjoy for Your Life" delivers small touches that bring more richness and comfort to your everyday routine.
In this feature, we’ll be introducing Seven Premium items that are perfect for "adding a little extra" to your osechi—as well as some simple presentation ideas—together with Inoue from Seven & i Holdings and Mezamē.
Add a Little Extra to Your Japanese-Style Osechi: Classics and Creative Twists
For traditional osechi, each dish carries a special meaning.
For black soybeans—eaten with the hope of working diligently and staying healthy—try Seven Premium Black Beans 2-pack, 181 yen (tax included), made with plump Hokkaido-grown black soybeans. The simple, gentle sweetness brings out the natural flavor of the beans, making it a comforting addition.
Kombu dishes, symbolizing longevity and prosperity, are also staples of osechi. If you find your prepared portion running out, consider adding Seven Premium Simmered Shredded Kombu 70g, 149 yen (tax included). Made with Hokkaido-grown kombu simmered in a carefully crafted broth, it’s packed with carrots, konjac, shiitake mushrooms, and fried tofu, offering a delightful mix of textures and flavors in every bite.
(Top to bottom, clockwise)
Black beans / Simmered shredded kombu / Red kamaboko & white kamaboko / Walnuts with konago (young sand lance) / Sweet simmered sweet potato / (Center) Pre-sliced thick omelet (atsuyaki tamago)
Mezamē
Let me share some plating tips! Adding mizuhiki* cords can instantly make the presentation feel more festive. You can reuse the ones that come with gift envelopes, or find them in wrapping sections or craft stores. Arranging small plates or bowls on a larger platter also creates a beautiful, layered look.
*mizuhiki: Traditional Japanese decorative cords used for celebrations.
The rich golden color of Seven Premium Sweet Simmered Sweet Potato 140g, 192 yen (tax included) adds warmth and brightness to your table. To bring out the natural sweetness and fluffy texture of the sweet potatoes, they’re first lightly roasted before being simmered—a thoughtful method that creates a delicious finish.
For a simple substitute for datemaki*, try Seven Premium Pre-Sliced Thick Omelet 4 slices, 192 yen (tax included).
*datemaki: A sweet, fluffy Japanese rolled omelette made with eggs and fish paste, often served in osechi.
Seven Premium Walnuts with Konago 100g, 429 yen (tax included) combines sweet-and-savory konago with fragrant walnuts. It pairs wonderfully with both rice and drinks.
Inoue (Seven & i Holdings)
"It’s really convenient that you can buy classic osechi dishes in just the right portion size! I often eat the thick omelet as part of my usual lunch or as a snack, and since it isn’t overly sweet, it seems perfect for balancing out an osechi set, which can lean a bit sweet overall."
Mezamē
Wow, it’s amazing how easy it is to put together osechi—just take everything out of the package and place it on a plate! I want to try all of them… Oh! And to make it even more delicious, you can spruce up the presentation a bit—like adding decorative cuts to the kamaboko!
Create a Festive Look with Easy Decorative Cuts
Mezamē
This time, I’d love for you to try the tazuna decorative cut! It’s said to symbolize harmony in the household, good relationships, and a sense of staying focused.
Tazuna Decorative Cut
1.Remove the kamaboko from the wooden board and slice it into pieces about 1 cm thick.
2.At the line where the red and white meet (for white kamaboko, about 2 mm from the top of the half-circle), make a cut peeling back the surface from the edge about three-quarters of the way through.
3.Make a small slit in the center of the detached flap.
4.Pass one end of the flap through the slit, and it’s ready to serve.
Items Used
Seven Premium Kamaboko (Red) 110g, 213 yen (tax included)
Seven Premium Kamaboko (White) 110g, 213 yen (tax included)
Seven Premium’s kamaboko offers a rich depth of flavor, packed with the natural umami of seawater and seaweed. Its gentle sweetness and smooth, springy texture make it a delicious choice you can enjoy again and again.
Enjoy Western-Style Osechi with Simple Add-Ons
You may have prepared a traditional Japanese-style osechi this year, but still feel curious about trying a Western-style version. In that case, why not add a few Western-inspired items from Seven Premium to expand your osechi selection?
(Top to bottom, clockwise)
Chicken breast & broccoli / Octopus sashimi (tako-butsu) / Camembert cheese / Prosciutto loin with fruits / Sliced peppered beef /(Center) Smoked salmon
Seven Premium Chicken Breast and Broccoli 150g, 397 yen (tax included) is a refreshing dish that pairs tender chicken breast with crisp, highland-grown broccoli. It also makes a great palate cleanser.
And of course, no Western-style osechi would be complete without something to enjoy with wine.
Seven Premium Peppered Beef Slices 70g, 311 yen (tax included) feature lean beef seasoned with a spicy kick of black pepper. The more you chew, the more the rich flavor of the meat unfolds.
*Note: Scheduled to be gradually renewed as “Pastrami Beef Slices 62g” starting Monday, December 15.
Made with fresh milk from Tokachi, Hokkaido, Seven Premium Camembert Cheese 100g, 375 yen (tax included) offers a rich aroma and smooth texture. Each cheese is crafted with care, with its level of maturation checked meticulously.
Mezamē
Camembert cheese is delicious with nuts or raisins, too! And for Seven Premium Prosciutto Loin 38g, 192 yen (tax included), try serving it with your favorite fruits. If you want to add a variety of fruits, Seven Premium’s cut fruit packs are a great option!
Make It Even More Festive with Rose-Shaped Salmon
Mezamē
If you want to take your presentation even further, try making a rose out of salmon! Just overlap three slices of smoked salmon slightly, then roll them up from one end and adjust the shape. That’s all it takes!
Inoue
Adding a touch of green, like parsley, really makes Western-style dishes look more vibrant! Since smoked salmon and peppered beef are delicious on their own, I’d love to try arranging them in a flower shape when plating.
Hearty and Satisfying! Easy Add-Ons for a Chinese-Style Osechi
(Top to bottom, clockwise)
Pork shumai / Chinese-style jellyfish / Gold braised pork cubes / Gold shrimp in chili sauce
Whether you’re celebrating alone or with family, adding a few Chinese-style dishes can help you enjoy a hearty, energizing osechi.
The stars of the plate are Seven Premium Pork Shumai 6 pieces, 300 yen (tax included), Seven Premium Gold Braised Pork 150g, 429 yen (tax included), and Seven Premium Gold Shrimp in Chili Sauce 150g, 505 yen (tax included).
After savoring the juicy flavor of the pork shumai, enjoy the rich taste of the Gold Braised Pork, which becomes more flavorful with every bite. If you’re looking for better nutritional balance, try adding a bit of bok choy.
For the plump and spicy Gold Shrimp in Chili Sauce, a sprinkle of black pepper or pink pepper is a fun way to change up the flavor.
If you enjoy crunchier textures, add Seven Premium Chinese Jellyfish 80g, 321 yen (tax included) as well.
Just by adding some Chinese-style side dishes, you can complete a fully satisfying osechi plate!
Mezamē
I heard that the key to good plating is adding a bit of leafy greens. Since Chinese dishes often have bold, vibrant colors, a touch of green helps balance the whole presentation!
Inoue
It’s become less common to eat osechi throughout the first three days of the New Year, but adding some Chinese-style dishes to the osechi leftovers and serving everything on one plate is a great idea. Arranging small portions of shumai or shrimp in chili sauce like hors d’oeuvres gives the meal a special feel. It feels refreshingly new!
Enrich your New Year’s celebration by adding a few Seven Premium dishes to your osechi. With a bit of creativity in the presentation, you can make the experience even more enjoyable and create a truly heartwarming start to the year.
"A Spoonful of Enjoy for Your Life" will continue to bring small touches that gently enrich your everyday moments.
See you next time!
This text has been translated using an automatic translation tool.
