The Savory Kaiseki Experience in Kyoto

Alyssa and I had planned Sakura Experience to Japan, only to be awed by the gastronomic experiences Kansai has to offer. While we lived like queens on some days and pauper on others, there is no lack surprises when it comes to Japanese Food experiences. This post is dedicated to detail the unique Kaiseki Experience.

What is Kaiseki?

For mountain tortoises like me, Kaiseki (懐石^?) or kaiseki-ryōri (懐石料理^?) 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. 

How much we spent on our Kaiseki?

I was reluctant to have Kaiseki meal at Kikunoi initially, due to the jaw dropping price of the meal. The cheapest lunch set cost a nett 150,000 yen (SGD $187.50) This has to be the most expensive meal I ever had. I was secretly cursing about how I could have gobbled 53 bowls of fishball noodles. -_-"

What's in store?

My! It was a food experience well worth its price! We get a traditional private room and personal attendant serving us.

Served with matcha tea and welcome sake.

Our appetizer consisted of some of the freshest exquisite ingredients for spring.

 Seabream sashimi, one can literally feel the fish jumping in your mouth.

(ok, that's for manga effect!)

 How it was served.

 This tasted gooey and not quite so memorable.

 Grilled hartail was my favorite, the tender texture and sweetness from the fish melts in the mouth instantly!

 A unique taste of wasabi strawberry sobet, for a refreshing change.

 Radish strands, which had a gooey texture too.

 Kikunoi had their own pictorial,introducing the dishes in their kaiseki, which was an informative read while waiting for the meals to be served.

 Bamboo shoots with seaweed

 At this point we were pretty much as full as we were feeling awed, and the glutinous rice is simply a tad too much. (But I was embarrassed not to have it finished since that's supposedly very rude!)

 Here comes our dessert, Almond ice cream in mango cream. We thought that was all!

Only to know that there is peanut powdered matcha snack to end the kaiseki course. The meal experience was a full 2.5 hours.

Where to find Kikonoi?

Kikonoi is conveniently located in the old town district and assessable by foot from higashiyama area. Its main restaurant had 3 Michelin Star under its belt and the chef, Yoshihiro Murata is somewhat a popular personality on Japan's shows.

My Verdict:

This is a place to go for fine dining and a traditional Japanese Experience. It boosts excellent Japanese services. The many rounds of thanking and strings of Japanese words uttered, as well as all the escorting and bow does make me feel very restrained though. Too ceremonial perhaps. And now, I am fully initiated into the world of Kaiseki!