Experiencing Keiseki at Kusakabe in San Francisco

A great birthday experience by our Director of Vibes enjoying the Kusakabe Sushi in Kaiseki style!

Kaiseki is best described as “Japanese haute cuisine,” which refers to fine meals consumed on special occasions.

The most essential thing to remember about kaiseki is that the meal is only one aspect of the event. In this way, kaiseki is similar to the tea ceremony, in which tea is merely one component of a larger aesthetic experience. Dishes in kaiseki are first and foremost selected to represent the season; ingredients are always “shun-no-mono,” or the freshest and finest available on the market. Equipments are selected, such as lacquerware trays and precious ceramic bowls, to present each entry. Lastly, each dish is crafted as a delectable masterpiece.

Because kaiseki is a traditional form of Japanese cuisine, it includes a lot of seafood and shellfish, as well as plenty of vegetables and rice, which is generally served with miso soup and tsukemono (Japanese pickles) at the conclusion. Of course, the drink of choice is sake, but you may also choose beer or oolong tea.

A full-course kaiseki meal typically includes 7 to 14 dishes presented in a certain sequence.

Kusakabe

584 Washington Street, San Francisco, CA 94111