Mukōzuke (a dish served during a kaiseki meal)
Sea bream sashimi
Finely shredded pumpkin, manganji peppers (green and red), Himuro nori, grated wasabi, Tosa soy sauce and assorted condiments
01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
The pleasure of kaiseki lies not in a single dish, but in the way seasonal ingredients, the serving vessels and each course relate to what comes next. Visitors to Kichisen have noted the progression of the meal and the care taken with its presentation. One account recalls a spring dish of rice with sakura sea bream, garnished with kinome, the leaves of the Japanese pepper tree. Another visitor enjoyed a lunch of more than ten seasonal dishes. With a course-style meal, it is worth considering whether to fit it into a daytime schedule or set aside more time for dinner.
The menu listing for sea bream sashimi describes it with finely shredded pumpkin, manganji peppers, Himuro nori, grated wasabi and Tosa soy sauce. The thinly sliced Goto squid is listed with a hint of yuzu. When choosing sashimi to appreciate the flavour of the ingredients themselves, the accompanying garnishes and seasonings are part of the picture too. One visitor’s account of a spring meal also mentions a soup combining conger eel and plum, eel steamed in kelp, and a simmered dish of bamboo shoots and wakame. This is one account of a particular spring meal, but it offers a glimpse of the varied sequence of seafood, vegetables, soup and rice that can make up kaiseki. The season and menu change, so dishes mentioned in past accounts may not always be available.
Sake is another option to enjoy with the meal. One visitor remarked on the chef’s knowledge of sake, while another appreciated the sake recommendations. Asking for suggestions to suit the dishes may be a good way to choose. At one dinner, a visitor also remembered a combination of sorbet and sparkling water. Looking beyond a single drink to the choices during or after the courses can add another dimension to the meal.
Some visitors have described dining in a private room, and private rooms are listed as available. Reservations are recommended for both lunch and dinner. Kichisen may suit those looking to take their time over a seasonal menu and enjoy a course meal that includes the option of pairing it with sake.
