Customer Reviews

Kaiseki: Zen Tastes in Japanese Cooking

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This book features beautiful photographs of multi-course kaiseki meals (seasonal meals accompanying the Japanese tea ceremony) and antique plates, bowls, sake servers, and cups spanning the centuries. Each meal is introduced by a brief description of the season and occasion on which it is served, and each photo accompanied by a detailed description of the food, method of preparation, and serving dishes. The major omission is a glossary of the various types of unfamiliar foods, and a timeline of the various dynasties and periods from which the dishes date. It's not a cookbook, but if you ever have the pleasure of eating a kaiseki dinner (often $70-100 per person in the U.S., maybe $50 in Japan), you will have enormous insight into the selection, preparation, and significance of the courses. Or you could throw a great party!

This is not a flashy, modern fusion cuisine book. This is part of it's charm. Almost a photo book, with descriptions of the dishes taking a secondary role. There is some insight to the planning of the menus and how they relate to seasons/ special occasions. Beautiful print pages. A valuable collector's item worth the price for the serious student of kaiseki Ryori. Long out of print, worth the price if you can find it.