One of the best things about going on holidays is trying all the traditional cuisine. Japanese cuisine is distinctly different due to its long history of isolation as well as its rich variety of ingredients.

Kyoto is viewed as the birthplace of Japanese cuisine as it was here that food culture became refined with preparation of food for court aristocrats in the Nara period. Since then wealth, religion and power have all influenced and developed the cuisine.

Neville settled his curiosity about Kaiseki cuisine when Executive Chef Hajime Murakami from Hotel Granvia in Kyoto gave Neville a lesson in Keiseki cooking.

The philosophy behind this food is the use of seasonal ingredients that are fresh and local. A kaiseke menu can involve eight to eleven different dishes and are served one at time. Starting from simple dishes and making full use of seasonal ingredients, the presentation of the food is always as beautiful as art.

Chef Murakami displayed his culinary skills with two dishes: Shrimp noodles, tender abalone and egg tofu with aquatic plant junsai and Sea bream sushi wrapped in bamboo leaves. This is authentic Japanese cuisine at its best.

RECIPES

Shrimp noodles, tender abalone and egg tofu with aquatic plant junsai

1. To make the shrimp noodles, combine shrimp and fish paste in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
2. Put the mixture into a cylinder and slowly squeeze the mixture into boiling fish stock in the shape of noodles.
3. When the noodle mixture has turned pink, take the noodles out and place in a bowl of ice cubes.
4. To make the soup, add salt and soya sauce to the boiling fish stock
5. Place a piece of tofu and abalone in a bowl.
6. Place the drained noodles on top and garnish with Chinese spinach and Junsai.
7. Carefully strain the soup over the top.

Sea Bream Sushi wrapped in bamboo leaves

1. Place a piece of sea bream on a portion of rice
2. Squeeze together with a cloth to help the ingredients hold together
3. Wrap in bamboo leaves

Contact
Hotel Granvia Kyoto
TEL: (81)-75-344-8888
FAX: (81)-75-344-4400
JR Kyoto Station, Karasuma Chuo-guchi, Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 6000-8216 Japan