'Kaiseki' is one of the more intricate forms of Japanese cuisine you might come across. As soon as they learn of it, many people may even like to try authentic Japanese cuisine kaiseki when they visit Japan. However, some people may be hesitant to give it a go because they think the etiquette involved may be complicated.
This article, supervised by Food Journalist Kazuhiro Soga (of Creators Factory Ltd.), will detail what kind of food kaiseki is, what order it is served on the menu, and any rules for eating it.
1. What Exactly is Kaiseki Ryori?
Kaiseki Ryori (懐石料理) is a type of cuisine that was served at tea ceremonies (cha-kaiseki), and after the kaiseki meal, a tea called koicha was served.
There is some detailed etiquette involved, but the main premise is the host "entertaining" guests.
To express the tea ceremony philosophy of "wabi sabi" (a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection), dishes are prepared based on the three themes of using seasonal ingredients, bringing out the flavor of the ingredients to the fullest, and entertaining guests. The basic concept is "one soup, three dishes" – rice, soup, three side dishes, and pickles.
The word "kaiseki" by itself refers to all kinds of food, but to distinguish it from the cha-kaiseki served in tea ceremonies, the food served in Japanese restaurants is called "kaiseki ryori." The ones from restaurants are sometimes arranged a little differently and include western-style items or more items.
2. Know the Origin and History of Kaiseki Cuisine
Stray Toki / Shutterstock.com
Kaiseki has a deep connection with Zen Buddhism. Zen Buddhist monks had only one meal a day. When they got hungry, and their body temperature dropped, they would place a warm stone on their stomach to warm themselves up and at the same time stave off hunger. That stone is called "Onjaku."
The kanji character for "kaiseki" is stone and stomach. In the tea ceremony, a simple meal before the tea ceremony is called "Kaiseki," meaning a light meal that warms the body and eases hunger, like a warm stone to your stomach.
Originally, kaiseki was not a luxurious meal to be eaten with sake, but rather a dish to fill one's stomach to enhance the tea experience further.
3. What is the Difference between the Two Kaiseki Ryori?
There are two types of kaiseki cuisine, one using the characters "懐石" and other using "会席." Both are read as kaiseki.
"会席" is based on honzen ryori, which was prepared by samurai to entertain their guests. Honzen ryori has a sign…
