Five-Ingredient Porridge

Five-Ingredient Porridge

　　Five-Ingredient Porridge

　　New Year’s Day breakfast customs differ from place to place. But in both urban and rural Tiantai, everyone eats Five-Ingredient Porridge.

　　This “Five-Ingredient Porridge” consists of white rice, red dates, tofu, string beans, and taro cooked together. It is said to have originated with Buddhist monks, who prepared this mixed porridge at the beginning of the year to pray for the “Five Blessings” to bless the world. Tiantai has long been considered a “Buddhist land,” with many locals practicing Buddhism. As a result, this tradition spread widely, with people making the porridge to pray for favorable weather, national peace, and prosperity, so that citizens can live peaceful and contented lives all year round.