Tazukuri, a traditional Japanese dish, consists of small, dried sardines cooked in a sweet and savory soy sauce-based glaze, giving them a crispy texture and a rich, caramelized flavor.
This dish holds a significant place in Osechi Ryori, the Japanese New Year's cuisine, symbolizing a bountiful harvest, as the sardines were historically used as fertilizer for rice fields.
In Osechi, chefs include Tazukuri as part of the jubako (tiered lacquer boxes), where it adds both a crunchy texture and a deeply flavored component to the assortment of dishes, reflecting the culinary traditions and cultural symbolism of the New Year celebrations.