Kozuyu
こづゆ
Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture
こづゆ
Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture
Source: File:Kozuyu.jpg. (2020, October 27). Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved November 23, 2025, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kozuyu.jpg&oldid=504083473.
Kozuyu is a traditional dish from Aizu that dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1868). It's origins link to the Samurai dish "Ju", eaten by the lords of the Aizu Domain. Due to Aizu being more inland and surrounded by mountains, dried ingredients were used due to the limited access to fresh seafood. This made Kozuyu a delicacy that only Samurai and Lords could afford.
During the Early Meiji Period (1868-1912), access to fresh seafood became wide-spread. Due to this, over time Kozuyu came to be enjoyed by common folk, turning the delicacy into a popular celebratory dish that persists to this day.
Kozuyu is primarily served during holidays and celebrations, such as New Years, weddings and funerals. It is typically served in locally made Lacquerware bowls called "Teshio-sara" using a red lacquerware known as Aizu-nuri. The bowl is shallow, as it is encouraged to have more than one serving.
The dishes main ingredient is dried scallops. It is cooked with a clear broth, and vegetables such as carrots, taro, bamboo shorts, tofu, gingko nuts, and konjac noodles. The dish typically contains 7 or 9 ingredients, which is said to bring good luck due to the odd number. This aspect of good luck makes Kozuyu a very symbolic dish, making it perfect for any celebration.
Below are some videos on how to make Kozuyu at home.
Japanese Audio with Japanese and English Subtitles
Japanese Audio with Japanese Subtitles
Japanese Audio with Japanese and English Subtitles
While I haven't had the opportunity to visit Fukushima and try Kozuyu for myself, I would highly recommend it! During my research, I wanted to focus on the Kozuyu's history, and origins of the dish, however, it was difficult to find online as there a few resources, so the extend of the history is limited. Because of this, I would encourage anyone interested in finding out more about the history to visit Fukushima, and ask some of the locals.
Unlike Aizu, Australia doesn't have a "single" celebratory dish. I struggle to think of any that would qualify in the same way as Kozuyu. Due to Australia's multicultural nature, things such as celebratory dishes tend to vary from family to family and depend on the culture they were raised in, whether that's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, White Australian, Greek, or Vietnamese.
For my family, every year for Christmas, we'll either have a BBQ, where we'll cook sausages, burgers, and home-made chips, with a side of traditional salad and pasta salad, have Turducken, which is Turkey, Duck, and Chicken as one bird, or a Christmas Ham. Drinks such as Beer, Wine, or Gin will also typically be shared between everyone.
Like with any regional food, what helps make Kozuyu so special is that not many people will have had it before that live outside Aizu and Fukushima. It's essentially connected to your identity as someone from the region, and can help create a sense of community with those from the same area. I hope that the history behind Kozuyu becomes more accessible, and that many people give it a try.
Bassyouni, F. (2023). Fukushima: Food guide. Japan Travel. https://en.japantravel.com/fukushima/fukushima-food-guide/69985
Kahashi, M. (2021). [Fukushima Prefecture] What is Aizu's New Year's dish "kozuyu"? Local flavours born of hospitality. Tohoku Gourmet. https://jp.neft.asia/en/archives/6889
Kikkoman Corporation. (2018). Fukushima kozuyu. Food Forum. https://www.kikkoman.com/en/culture/foodforum/tasty-travel/31-4.html
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. (n.d.). Kozuyu. https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/market/k_ryouri/search_menu/983/index.html
Tenposstar. (2024). What is Fukushima's local B-class gourmet food "kozuyu"? Introducing its characteristics and history! https://tenposstar.com/en/articles/r/1224
Wikimedia Commons. (2020, October 27). File:Kozuyu.jpg. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kozuyu.jpg&oldid=504083473