“Osechi” is the traditional cuisine essential for the New Year holidays in Japan. However, as lifestyles change, so do the ways people enjoy it. Amidst this, the revolutionary “Selectable Osechi” offered by “Lawson Store 100” stores nationwide in Japan is once again gathering significant attention this year. Since its launch in 2012, this popular series has sold over 19.5 million units and will return, better than ever, starting Thursday, December 25, 2025.
What You Like, As Much as You Like: A New Form of Osechi
“Osechi ryori” are special dishes made to celebrate the New Year, typically packed in beautiful lacquered boxes called “Jubako.” Each dish carries a meaning, wishing for health and prosperity. However, the style of large families gathering around a Jubako is declining, and there has been a growing demand from single-person households and small families to “enjoy just the things we like, more casually.”
Lawson Store 100’s “Selectable Osechi” meets this need. Based on the concept of “Freedom to Choose,” “Affordable Prices,” and “Just the Right Size,” it offers a total of 43 different dishes, from classics like Datemaki (sweet rolled omelet) and Kuromame (sweet black soybeans) to luxury ingredients, all in small packs. This allows customers to freely assemble their own original osechi at a reasonable price.
This year, in addition to traditional Japanese food, the lineup of Western and Chinese dishes has been significantly expanded. A particularly hot topic is the addition of authentic Chinese menu items from the legendary chef Chen Kenmin, who popularized Szechuan cuisine in Japan. This has created a new style of osechi that respects tradition while being enjoyable for a wider range of generations.
Noteworthy New Lineup for 2026!
This year’s “Selectable Osechi” features a total of 16 new items. Here are a few of the most notable additions.
Authentic Chinese Cuisine Inheriting the Taste of a Master
Sweet and Sour Pork with Black Vinegar
Main price 300 yen (324 yen incl. tax)
A masterpiece using the secret sauce of Mr. Chen Kenmin, the father of Szechuan cuisine in Japan. The sauce, with its gentle sweetness followed by a refreshing acidity, perfectly coats the juicy pork.
Shrimp in Chili Sauce
Main price 300 yen (324 yen incl. tax)
This is another authentic shrimp chili that inherits the Chen family’s original recipe. The rich and spicy sauce, featuring doubanjiang (chili bean paste), is irresistible with the plump shrimp. A finishing touch of beaten egg adds depth and mellowness to the flavor.
Elegant Western Dishes That Pair Well with Wine
Sliced Duck Pastrami
Main price 150 yen (162 yen incl. tax)
A dish of smoked duck breast accented with coarse black pepper. Its zesty flavor makes it a perfect accompaniment for alcoholic beverages. In Japan, there is a custom of eating “Toshikoshi soba” (year-crossing noodles) on New Year’s Eve, and this is also recommended as a topping.
Hokkaido Pork Terrine
Main price 300 yen (324 yen incl. tax)
A luxurious terrine that locks in the flavor of pork from Hokkaido, a region known for its rich nature. It pairs exceptionally well with wine and adds a slightly modern touch to the usual osechi.
Heartwarming, Classic Japanese Meat Dishes
Braised Pork Belly (Buta Kakuni)
Main price 450 yen (486 yen incl. tax)
Pork belly slow-cooked for hours until it’s incredibly tender. The sweet and savory flavor melts in your mouth, making it one of the most popular meat dishes in osechi.
Savory Braised Chicken Wings (Tebasaki no umani)
Main price 300 yen (324 yen incl. tax)
Chicken wings simmered with honey and hon-mirin (a type of sweet Japanese cooking wine) until the meat falls off the bone. The rich, sweet, and savory sauce is a flavor loved by everyone, from children to adults.
For details on all 16 new products, please visit https://store100.lawson.co.jp/special/campaign/2025/osechi-2025/lineup/.
Arrange It Freely! New Ways to Enjoy, Proposed by a Culinary Expert
Many people feel that arranging osechi beautifully is difficult. To address this, culinary expert Mutsumi Kobayashi has supervised some easy arrangement ideas that anyone can enjoy.
Idea ①: A “Gourmet Osechi” Presented on Small Plates
Even without a Jubako box, you can make a small number of items look luxurious just by using the largest plate you have and several small dishes called “mamezara.” Garnishing with cucumber or a shiso leaf will also add a splash of color.
Idea ②: A “Subtle New Year” by Adding to Your Usual Meal
Try adding a little bit of osechi to your everyday meal. That alone creates the special feeling of the “extraordinary” New Year within the ordinary. For example, simply swapping the standard Japanese breakfast item “Tamagoyaki” (rolled omelet) with the osechi “Datemaki” (sweet rolled omelet) can make your dining table feel much more festive.
Idea ③: The “Oshi Osechi” to Express Your Fandom
One aspect of Japanese pop culture is “Oshikatsu,” which refers to activities supporting a favorite idol or character (your “oshi”). With “Selectable Osechi,” you can even create a dream osechi made entirely of your favorite foods, tailored to your “oshi’s” image color. The “Yellow Oshi Osechi” in the photo is unified with yellow, a color also associated with financial luck, making it perfect for the New Year.
Idea ④: A “Full Osechi Platter” with All 43 Types Gorgeously Arranged
Packing all 43 varieties into a Jubako box creates a breathtakingly luxurious sight. The key to a vibrant presentation is to avoid placing similar colors next to each other and to scatter bright-colored ingredients like red and yellow throughout each tier.
Flexible Purchasing Options
Multiple sales channels are available so that even those without a Lawson Store 100 nearby can make a purchase.
Home Delivery: Online Store
The general shopping site “au PAY Market Direct Store” sells a “20-item set” and a “25-item set” online. You can order from anywhere in Japan.
In-Store Pickup: Lawson App Reservation
Using the official Lawson app, you can pre-order and pick up your items at a designated Lawson Store 100. This service is available for the “20-item set.”
Lawson Store 100’s “Selectable Osechi” is truly a New Year’s style for a new era, respecting Japan’s traditional food culture while catering to the diverse needs of modern times. Whether you’re celebrating the New Year quietly alone or lively with family and friends, this is an opportunity for everyone to enjoy osechi in their own way. If you’re spending the year-end and New Year holidays in Japan, why not check it out?
For more details, you can check https://store100.lawson.co.jp/special/campaign/2025/osechi-2025/.
You can search for a store near you at https://www.e-map.ne.jp/p/lawson/.
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