Kaiseki or kaiseki-ryōri is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. The term also refers to the collection of skills and techniques that allow the preparation of such meals and is analogous to Western haute cuisine. There are two kinds of traditional Japanese meal styles called kaiseki or kaiseki-ryōri. The first, where kaiseki is written as 会席 and kaiseki-ryōri as :ja:会席料理|会席料理, refers to a set menu of select food served on an individual tray. The second, written as 懐石 and as :ja:懐石料理|懐石料理, refers to the simple meal that the host of a chanoyu gathering serves to the guests before a ceremonial tea, and is also known as cha-kaiseki. Nouvelle cuisine was likely inspired by kaiseki principles.
Origin
The kanji characters 懐石 used to write kaiseki literally mean "bosom-pocket stone". These kanji are thought to have been incorporated by Sen no Rikyū, to indicate the frugal meal served in the austere style of chanoyu. The idea came from the practice where Zenmonks would ward off hunger by putting warm stones into the front folds of their robes, near their stomachs. Before these kanji started to be used, the kanji for writing the word were simply ones indicating that the cuisine was for a get-together. Both sets of kanji remain in use today to write the word; the authoritative Japanese dictionaryKōjien describes the "cuisine for a get-together" as a banquet meal where the main beverage is sake, and the "bosom-stone" cuisine as the simple meal served in chanoyu. To distinguish between the two in speech and if necessary in writing, the chanoyu meal may be referred to as "tea" kaiseki, or cha-kaiseki. Modern kaiseki draws on a number of traditional Japanese haute cuisines, notably the following four traditions: imperial court cuisine, from the 9th century in the Heian period; Buddhist cuisine of temples, from the 12th century in the Kamakura period; samurai cuisine of warrior households, from the 14th century in the Muromachi period; and tea ceremony cuisine, from the 15th century in the Higashiyama period of the Muromachi period. All of these individual cuisines were formalized and developed over time, and continue in some form to the present day, but have also been incorporated into kaiseki cuisine. Different chefs weight these differently – court and samurai cuisine are more ornate, while temple and tea ceremony cuisine are more restrained.
Style
In the present day, kaiseki is a type of art form that balances the taste, texture, appearance, and colors of food. To this end, only fresh seasonal ingredients are used and are prepared in ways that aim to enhance their flavor. Local ingredients are often included as well. Finished dishes are carefully presented on plates that are chosen to enhance both the appearance and the seasonal theme of the meal. Dishes are beautifully arranged and garnished, often with real leaves and flowers, as well as edible garnishes designed to resemble natural plants and animals.
Order
Originally, kaiseki comprised a bowl of miso soup and three side dishes; this is now instead the standard form of Japanese-style cuisine generally, referred to as a セット. Kaiseki has since evolved to include an appetizer, sashimi, a simmered dish, a grilled dish and a steamed course, in addition to other dishes at the discretion of the chef.
: an appetizer similar to the French amuse-bouche.
: the second course, which sets the seasonal theme. Typically one kind of sushi and several smaller side dishes.
: a sliced dish of seasonal sashimi.
: vegetables served with meat, fish or tofu; the ingredients are simmered separately.
This is the meal served in the context of chanoyu. It precedes the serving of the tea at a formal tea function. The basic constituents of a cha-kaiseki meal are the ichijū sansai or "one soup, three side dishes", and the rice, plus the following: suimono, hassun, yutō, and kōnomono. The one soup referred to here is usually suimono or miso soup and the basic three side dishes are the following:
Mukōzuke: foods in a dish arranged on the far side of the meal tray for each guest, which is why it is called mukōzuke. Often this might be some kind of sashimi, though not necessarily so. On the near side of the meal tray are arranged the rice and the soup, both in lacquered lidded bowls.
: simmered foods, served in individual lidded bowls.
Yakimono: grilled foods, brought out in a serving dish for the guests to serve themselves.
Here under is a description of the additional items mentioned above:
: clear soup served in a small lacquered and lidded bowl, to cleanse the palate before the exchange of sake between host and guests. Also referred to as kozuimono or hashiarai.
Hassun: a tray of tidbits from mountain and sea that the guests serve themselves to and accompanies the round of saké shared by host and guests.
: pitcher of hot water having slightly browned rice in it, which the guests serve to themselves.
Kō no mono: pickles that accompany the yutō.
Extra items that may be added to the menu are generally referred to as shiizakana and these attend further rounds of sake. Because the host leaves them with the first guest, they are also referred to as azukebachi.
Casual ''kaiseki''
Casual kaiseki meals theatrically arrange ingredients in dishes and combine rough textured pottery with fine patterned bowls or plates for effect. The bento box is another casual, common form of popular Kaiseki.
''Kaiseki'' locations
Kaiseki is often served in ryokan in Japan, but it is also served in small restaurants, known as. Kyoto is well known for its kaiseki, as it was the home of the imperial court and nobility for over a millennium. In Kyoto, kaiseki-style cooking is sometimes known as Kyoto cooking, to emphasize its traditional Kyoto roots, and includes some influence from traditional Kyoto home cooking, notably, the Kyoto term for or.
Price
Kaiseki is often very expensive – kaiseki dinners at top traditional restaurants generally cost from 5,000 yen to upwards of 40,000 per person, without drinks. Cheaper options are available, notably lunch, and in some circumstances bento. In some cases counter seating is cheaper than private rooms. At ryokan, the meals may be included in the price of the room or optional, and may be available only to guests, or served to the general public. Traditional menu options offer three price levels, Sho Chiku Bai, with pine being most expensive, plum least expensive; this is still found at some restaurants.
