📖 Kaiseki cuisine

"Kaiseki cuisine" refers to the traditional Japanese dishes enjoyed before drinking thick tea (i.e., rich and dense matcha) during a "tea ceremony." It has a deep connection with "tea ceremony," embodying the spirit of the host treating their guests. In the past, "kaiseki cuisine" primarily featured simple meals, but modern establishments increasingly incorporate unique creative elements such as fried foods or desserts, showcasing a diverse development. The basic composition of kaiseki cuisine is "ichijū-sansai" (one main dish plus two side dishes). The highlight is the sequential serving of dishes based on their optimal state and timing for consumption. The cuisine pays great attention to seasonal elements, allowing enjoyment through visual, olfactory, and gustatory experiences. Furthermore, kaiseki cuisine also reflects the unique aesthetics and values of the Japanese people, embodying the beauty of "wabi-sabi."

Kaiseki cuisine refers to the traditional Japanese meal enjoyed before drinking thick tea at a tea ceremony. The basic structure of Kaiseki consists of one soup and three dishes, served sequentially according to the occasion. Kaiseki originated from the meals of ascetic monks and gradually spread to the public with the popularization of the tea ceremony.