Moyashi (Bean Sprout) Day

What Is Moyashi Day?

November 11th is "Moyashi Day" in Japan, celebrating bean sprouts. Inspired by the way bean sprouts grow straight, the Bean Sprouts Producers Association designated November 11th as Moyashi Day effective November 1, 2012. The way "1111" looks like four bean sprouts lined up is also cited as part of the origin.

Gratitude for the Producers Behind an "Honor Student of Pricing"

Bean sprouts have long been cherished as an affordable yet nutritious ingredient that helps stretch household budgets.

• Origin: the shape of four straight bean sprouts lined up resembles the numeral sequence "1111"
• Established: by the Bean Sprouts Producers Association, effective November 1, 2012
• Behind the "honor student of pricing": while prices have remained largely unchanged for years, rising production costs have made conditions increasingly difficult for growers

The Hidden Struggle Behind an Affordable Price

On Moyashi Day in 2022, bean sprout producers ran a full-page newspaper ad describing their plight. According to the ad, compared with 30 years earlier, seed costs had more than tripled and the minimum wage had risen 1.7 times, while the national average price of bean sprouts had fallen by more than 20 percent. Behind the low prices of this "honor student of pricing" lie real struggles on the production side.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Cook a dish using bean sprouts
• Look into the nutritional value of bean sprouts
• Learn about the current situation facing bean sprout growers
• Make an effort to include bean sprouts in your everyday meals

Behind an Affordable Price Lies Real Value

Often overlooked because of their low price, bean sprouts deserve a fresh look for their nutritional value and the effort growers put into them. November 11th is a day to give thanks for this familiar vegetable.