Saki launches London’s first Shojin Kaiseki tasting menu

Saki Bar and Food Emporium, the contemporary and authentic Japanese restaurant in Smithfield will launch London’s first Shojin Kaiseki menu on 19th May. Shojin Kaiseki is an integral part of Japanese cuisine that features strictly vegetarian Ingredients in its many refined dishes, all of which are steeped in tradition and history, dating back to the introduction of Buddhism in Japan back in the 6th Century.

This ancient form of cuisine has for centuries been a vital part of the healthy and well-balanced Japanese diet but up to now has rarely been seen on menus in the west as it has to be done properly and requires specialist skills that are often taught to a chef over many years of culinary tuition. Yoshitaka Onozaki, Saki’s new Head Chef, is the only chef in the UK with dedicated experience to introduce this delicate cuisine to London having acquired traditional shojin skills and technique from the Hachinoki restaurant in Kamakura, one of Japan’s most reputed shojin kaiseki restaurants close to Tokyo.

Shojin Kaiseki reflects the seasons. Its main ingredients are vegetables, beans, seeds and nuts, prepared according to the season – in spring new shoots that spring up, in summer, the well grown green leaves, in autumn the plentiful fruits and nuts with roots used in winter. Saki’s shojin menu will include classic dishes served in the traditional kaiseki style: a six-course tasting menu, priced at £65 per head and including a sake or a non alcoholic cocktail as an aperitif with a Japanese version of vegetarian amuse bouche.

Saki recommends drinking sake, traditional Japanese rice wine with the shojin kaiseki menu to fully appreciate its delicate flavours and will be happy to recommend a bottle or a glass to complement the meal. The Shojin kaiseki menu will be available with 24-hour’s booking notice and dishes will change according to seasonality and availability.

Saki Bar and Food Emporium, 4 West Smithfield, London EC1A 9JX

Visit saki-food.com to find out more.