What is "sekihan" or "osekihan"?

Sekihan or osekihan is a typical celebratory rice dish served on special occasions such as weddings, birthdays and festivals. Glutinous rice is steamed with red beans and takes on a pinkish color from the liquid that comes out of the beans.

Sekihan always has something to do with happy occasions, so it is had by exclaiming, “Kyo wa sekihan dane!” meaning, “Today calls for celebration.” The phrase doesn’t actually mean sekihan is eaten, but this is used when something great happens. Please use it in your office with your Japanese coworkers when you hear of something worth celebrating, like having made an important contract or such.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *