The top osechi eats for the coming year

If you're an expat in Japan wondering which osechi ryori dishes are actually popular going into 2026, a new Ikoyo Family Lab survey offers a clear snapshot, and it's more approachable than the lacquered boxes might suggest.

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The runaway fave for both parents and kids is kurikinton (sweet chestnut mash). It's the No.1 traditional dish across generations, making it the safest, most universally liked osechi item to try or add to your own New Year's spread. Sweeter dishes dominated the rankings overall, with kuromame (sweet syrupy black beans) and datemaki (sweet rolled omelette) also trending strongly for 2026.

The survey also revealed that Western-style osechi is becoming a staple, especially for adults. For 2026, the top picks are roast beef, followed by prosciutto and smoked duck, which many parents see as celebratory and great with drinks. Kids, on the other hand, overwhelmingly chose fried chicken as their favorite Western-style New Year dish. I feel like my own kids would probably answer the same way!

Beyond the osechi box, sushi remains the most-wanted New Year’s feast for both adults and children, beating out sukiyaki, sashimi, pizza, and other holiday treats.

Do you have any osechi favorites?