懐石(かいせき)

かいせき
noun
kaiseki, traditional Japanese multi-course meal
food
See also: 会席(かいせき) (banquet (会席))
1. kaiseki cuisine, traditional multi-course Japanese meal
An elaborate, multi-course Japanese meal characterized by meticulous preparation, seasonal ingredients, and beautiful presentation. Originally a simple meal served before tea ceremony, but now refers to high-end Japanese cuisine served in a set sequence of courses.
懐石(かいせき)料理(りょうり)を堪能(たんのう)した。
I thoroughly enjoyed a kaiseki meal.
京都(きょうと)で本格(ほんかく)的(てき)な懐石(かいせき)を味(あじ)わった。
I savored an authentic kaiseki meal in Kyoto.
この旅館(りょかん)では、季節(きせつ)の食材(しょくざい)を使(つか)った懐石(かいせき)料理(りょうり)が楽(たの)しめる。
At this inn, you can enjoy kaiseki cuisine made with seasonal ingredients.

Etymology

The name 懐石(かいせき) literally means "bosom stone." Zen monks would place a warm stone (温石(おんじゃく)) inside their robes against their stomach to stave off hunger during fasting. The simple pre-tea-ceremony meal was named after this practice.

KAISEKI vs. KAISEKI:

  • 懐石(かいせき): originally the simple meal served before 茶道(さどう) (tea ceremony)
  • 会席(かいせき): banquet-style Japanese cuisine, served at restaurants and gatherings

Both are read かいせき, and today the distinction has blurred. 懐石(かいせき)料理(りょうり) and 会席(かいせき)料理(りょうり) are often used interchangeably in modern Japanese to mean upscale multi-course Japanese dining.

Typical courses

  • 先付(さきづけ): appetizer
  • 椀物(わんもの): soup
  • 向付(むこうづけ): sashimi
  • 焼物(やきもの): grilled dish
  • 煮物(にもの): simmered dish
  • 御飯(ごはん): rice
  • 甘味(かんみ): dessert

Related Words

Compare: 料亭(りょうてい) (high-class Japanese restaurant)
general
Added 2026.2.22 13:38 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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