New Year's Eve: Good Luck Food Traditions Around the World

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Soba noodles - Japan

Throughout Asia, noodles are eaten in order to bring on a long life. Soba noodles, say some historians, symbolize hardiness and resilience because the buckwheat plant can 'bounce back' after being beaten down by rain or wind. In Japan, toshikoshi soba or 'year-passing' noodles are thus a popular New Year's dish. If you're hoping for longevity and don't want your luck to run out, the trick is to slurp the long noodles without breaking them.