From Setsuko Yoshizuka,
Your Guide to Japanese Food.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

As the styles of Japanese weddings vary, various food such as Japanese, French, Italian, and Chinese are served at modern Japanese weddings. Traditionally, certain food which indicate happiness are served at traditional Japanese weddings. Japanese wedding cakes used to be large and tall. But the size of Japanese wedding cakes tend to be smaller in recent years. It is said that the number of dishes served at a wedding should be odd numbers to avoid the couple to be divided.

Tai (sea bream)
Since "mede-tai" means happiness in Japanese, tai is served for celebration in Japan. Tai-no-sashimi (raw sea bream slices) or Tai-no-shioyaki (grilled sea bream with salt) are commonly served at traditional Japanese weddings.

Kombu (kelp)
Since "Yoro-kobu" means joy in Japanese, kombu is often included in celebration menus. Kombu soup or kobumaki (simmered kombu roll) are common dishes to be served at traditional Japanese weddings.

Kazunoko (herring roe)
Kazunoko indicates fertility in Japan, so salted kazukono is often served at traditional weddings.

Sekihan (red azuki beans rice)
Since red is the color for celebration, sekihan is served in various happy occasions, including weddings. Sekihan Recipe

Also, katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) are often given as souveniors for guests. Katsuobushi indicates happy couples.

More Japanese Recipes for Celebrations:

Chirashi-zushi (Colorful Sushi)

Ushio-jiru (Clam Soup)

Ebi-no-sakamushi (Sake Steamed Shrimp)

KObu-make (Rolled Kelp)

Kuro-make (Sweet Black Beans)

Namasu (Daikon and Carrot Pickles)

Datemaki (Sweet Omelet)