The use of seasonal ingredients ensures that each Kaiseki meal is a celebration of nature’s bounty at its peak. It also allows chefs to create dishes that reflect the spirit of the season, awakening diners’ senses and immersing them in a culinary journey that resonates with the time and place. As the seasons transition, so do the menus, ensuring that every Kaiseki experience is an ever-changing, delightful exploration of flavors.
- What kind of ingredients are used seasonally in Japanese cuisine?
- What kind of vegetables and meat are on the list?
- How can I use seasonal ingredients in my menu developing?
You will understand….
- Seasonal ingredients which is used for Japanese kaiseki cuisine
- Which ingredients for which season
- Some examples of recipe for youe menu developing
I am a Japanese chef who has been working in this industry for 15 years.
Graduated junior college with license of nutritionist and then one year study at cooking school with certificate of chef’s licence in Japan.
Experience of working at 5 star hotel, kaiseki restaurant in Japan, coming to the UK Working as a Japanese cuisine chef about 10 years in various restaurants.
Embracing the Seasons in Japanese Cuisine - Exploring Kaiseki's Seasonal Ingredients
First of all, I want you to understand the history.
Japan’s calendar is based on the ancient Chinese astronomy, which includes the 24 solar terms and 72 microseasons. (24節気72候）
▶▶▶refer to: http://youseeaandiseeb.com/blog/japan/004/
The solar terms divide the year into 24 segments starting from
“Risshun(立春)” (Beginning of Spring) to “Taikan(大寒)” (Great Cold).
In addition to these solar terms, there are five seasonal festivals (“Gosekku/五節句“) in a year.
Gosekku/五節句
- 7th January (人日/Jinjitsu)
- 3rd March (上巳/Jo-shi)
- 5th May (端午/Tango)
- 7th July (七夕/Shichiseki or Tanabata)
- 9th September (重陽/Cho-yo)
All these seasonal milestones and festivals play a significant role in creating the menu for various events and celebrations. They serve as essential references for planning the dishes and I think these traditions are very beautiful. Worth knowing when you get into Japanese cuisine.
Explaining four seasons
In Japan, we highly value four seasons. By cherishing seasonal events, people pray for bountiful harvests, good health, prosperity of descendants, and harmonious family life. Restaurants reflect these aspirations in their cuisine, creating a sense of seasonality.
When planning Kaiseki or course menus, it’s common to divide the year into four seasons, with each season spanning three months, and design menus accordingly.
SPRING/春 : March, April, May
March/3月/弥生
Events : Hinamatsuri （ひな祭り） (The Peach Blossom Festival)
April/4月/卯月
Events : Hanami（お花見） (Cherry Blossom Viewing)
May/5月/皐月
Events : Tango no Sekku（端午の節句） (Children’s Day)
| March | April | May | |
|---|---|---|---|
| seafood | Ise-ebi(J.spiny lobster) | Anago(Conger eel) | Kuro-dai(Black bream) |
| Kuruma-ebi(Tiger prawn) | Masu(Trout) | Katsuo(Bnito) | |
| Amadai(Tile fish) | Koi(Calp) | Kamasu(Barracuda) | |
| Sawara(Spanish Mackerel) | Kawaebi(Lake prawn) | Isaki(Chicken grunt) | |
| Karei(Flat fish) | Mongou ika(type of cuttle fish) | Ainame(Fat greenling) | |
| Haru-iwashi(Sardine) | Sakura-dai(Sea bream) | Kanpachi(Greater amberjack) | |
| Iidako(Octopus) | Sayori(Japanese halfbeak) | ||
| Sumi-Ika(Squid) | Tobiuo(Flying fish) | ||
| Ko-Ika(Cuttle fish) | Nishin(Herring) | ||
| Hamaguri(Hard clam) | Kasago(Marbled rockfish) | ||
| Akagai(Blood clam) | Shimaaji(Striped jack) | ||
| Hotate(scallop) | Aji(Horse mackerel) | ||
| Mategai(Razor clam) | Tachiuo(Cutlassfish) | ||
| Asari(Clam） | Suzuki(Seabass) | ||
| Sazae(Trubo sazae) | Kisu(Sillago japonica) | ||
| Uni(Sea Urchin) | Kochi | ||
| Ikura(Salmon Roe) | Hamo(Conger pike) | ||
| Wakame(Seaweed) | Karei(Plaice) | ||
| Mozuku(Seaweed) | Hirame(Turbot) | ||
| Tosaka-nori(Seaweed) | Hotaruika(Firefly squid) | ||
| Shako(Mntis shrimp) | |||
| Awabi(Abalone) | |||
| Hoya(Sea squirt fish) | |||
| Uni(Sea urchin) | |||
| vegetables | Takenoko(Bamboo shoot) | New potato | Baby pumpkin |
| Daikon(Radish) | Wasabi | Kamonasu(kyoto aubergine) | |
| Udo(Spikenard) | Tsukushi | Masunasu(Kyoto aubergine) | |
| Syungiku(garland chrysanthemum) | Kogomi(Ostrich fern) | Koimo(small yam) | |
| Warabi(Bracken) | Horenso(spinach) | Tougan(Winter melon) | |
| Zemnai | Mitsuba | Onion | |
| Taranome | Sora-mame(Broad beans) | Broad beans | |
| Fuki | kinusaya | Lettuce | |
| Nanohana | Kinome | Tomato | |
| Wakegi | Broccoli | Asparagus | |
| Menegi(Leek sprout) | Lettuce | Watercress | |
| Kinusaya(Pea) | Cabbage | ||
| Tsukushi(Fertile shoot) | |||
| Tanpopo(Dandelion) | |||
| Seri(Water celery) | |||
| Mitsuba | |||
| Yomogi(Mugwort) | |||
| Kinome(Sansho sprouts) | |||
| Gobo(Burdock) | |||
| Fukinoto | |||
| Kyo-ninjin(Kyoto Carrot) | |||
| Ebiimo(Kyoto yam) | |||
| Nagaimo | |||
| Satoimo(Yam) | |||
| Shiitake | |||
| Komatsuna | |||
| Yurine(Lily Bulk) | |||
| Menegi(Leek sprout) | |||
| Tsukushi | |||
| Kokabu(Baby turnip) | |||
| fruits | HassakuCirus hassaku) | Natsu mikan(Citrus natsudaidai) | Natsu mikan |
| Sanpo-kan(Citrus salcata) | Iyokan | Biwa | |
| Iyokan | Melon | Cherry | |
| Strawberry | Strawberry | Kiichigo | |
| Melon | Melon | ||
| Summer orange |
SUMMER/夏 : June, July, August
June/6月/水無月
Events : Actually this month there is no festival.
July/7月/文月
Events : Tanabata（七夕） (The Star Festival)
August/8月/葉月
Events : Obon（お盆） (The Summer Festival the Ancestral Spirits)
| June | July | August | |
|---|---|---|---|
| seafood | Iseebi | Bream | Prawn |
| Kuruma-ebi | Shiba-ebi | Kuruma-ebi(Black tiger prawn) | |
| Kanpachi | Kuruma- ebi | Black bream | |
| Kurodai | Katsuo(Bonito) | Sea bass | |
| Ainame | Hisamasa | Kajiki maguro(Sword fish) | |
| Hiramasa | Isaki | Kisu | |
| Isaki | Kanpachi(Greater amberjack) | Flat fish | |
| Saba(mackerel) | Saba(Mackerel) | Isaki | |
| Kochi | Kamasu(Barracuda) | hiramasa | |
| Shima-aji | Kochi | Kanpachi(Greater amberjack) | |
| Suzuki(Sea bass) | Suzuki(Sea bass) | Kamasu(Barracuda) | |
| Aji(Horse mackerel) | Kajiki maguro(Sword fish) | Souta-Katsuo(Skipjack) | |
| Katsuo(Bonito) | Tachi-uo | Tachi-uo | |
| Kisu | Aji(Horse mackerel) | Aji | |
| Hamo | Plaice(Flat fish) | Hamo(Congor pike) | |
| Tako(Octopus) | Squid | Octopus | |
| Ika(Squid) | Hamo(Conger pike) | Anago(congor eel) | |
| Tachiuo | Anago(Congor eel) | Surume-ika | |
| Urume-iwashi | Shako(Mntis shrimp) | Aori-ika | |
| Karei | Awabi(Abalone) | Kochi | |
| Anago(Congor-eel) | Uni(Sea urchin) | Sardine | |
| Awabi(Abalone) | Sazae(Turbo sazae) | Mackerel | |
| Uni(Sea Urchin) | Ayu(Sweet fish) | Shako(Mntis shrimp) | |
| Ayu(Sweet fish) | Dojo(Pond loach) | Haze | |
| Unagi(Eel) | Bora | ||
| Kawa-ebi | Uni(Sea urchin) | ||
| Kurage(Jelly fish) | |||
| Namazu(Japanese catfish) | |||
| Awabi(abalone) | |||
| Meat | Duck | Duck | |
| vegetables | Takenoko(Bamboo shoot) | Cucumber | Aubergines |
| Natsu-Daikon(Summer radish) | Pumpkin | Gobo(Burdock) | |
| Yam | Kamo-nasu(kyoto aubergine) | Hasuimo | |
| Potato | Summer-daikon | Togan | |
| Konasu | Lotus | Shiro-uri | |
| Nasu | Yam | Cucumber | |
| Cucumber | Kanpyo(Gourd) | Pumpkin | |
| Lotus | Okura | Summer daikon | |
| Kinusaya(Pea) | To-gan | Kanpyo(Gourd) | |
| Shiro-uri | Shiro-uri(Oriental picking melon) | Okura | |
| To-gan | Junsai | Satoimo(Yam) | |
| Junsai | Shin-Yurine(Lily's pulk) | Onion | |
| Okura | Onion | Edamame | |
| AO-ume(Blue plum) | Peas | Peas | |
| Edamame | Broad beans | Azuki(Red bean) | |
| Broad beans | Azuki(Red beans) | Broad beans | |
| French beans | Edamame | Sesame | |
| Ho-shiso | Myoga | Shiso | |
| Myoga | Mi-sansho(Japanese pepper) | Yurine | |
| Ha-shiso(shiso leaf) | Shiso(flower, leave,sprout) | Myoga | |
| Hana-yuzu | Matsutake(mushroom) | Tade | |
| Beni-tade | Tade(Smartweed) | Matsutake(early) | |
| Ayu-tade | Ho-zuki(Chinese lantern plant) | ||
| Caulifower | Tomato | ||
| Chicory | |||
| Champinion | |||
| fruits | Cherry | Sudachi(Citrus) | Sudachi(Citrus) |
| Biwa | Grape | Grape | |
| Kuwanomi | papaya | Green apple | |
| Yama-momo | Fig | Fig | |
| Strawberry | Melon | Melon | |
| Ao-yuzu | Peach | Tomato | |
| AO-ume(Blue plum) | Watermelon | Orange | |
| Watermelon | |||
| Hassaku(Citrus) | |||
AUTUMN/秋：September,October, November
September/9月/長月
Events :The Chrysanthemum Festival (重陽の節句）
October/10月/神無月
Events :No event
November/11月/霜月
Events :Lidong(first winter) (立冬）
| September | October | November | |
|---|---|---|---|
| seafood | Sanma(Pacific saury) | Sea bream | Iseebi |
| Shimaaji | Amadai(Tile fish) | Amaebi | |
| Mackerel | Kuruma-ebi(Black tiger prawn) | Kuruma-ebi(Blacktiger prawn) | |
| Kanpachi | Amaebi | Shiba ebi(Shiba Prawn) | |
| Kisu | Iseebi | Managatsuo(Pampus punctatissimus) | |
| Kochi | Sawara(Japanese seer fish) | Tara(Cod) | |
| Kihada-maguro(Yellowfin tuna) | Sanma(Pacific saury) | Kochi | |
| Modorigatsuo(Bonito but fattier) | Aji(Horse mackerel) | Buri(Yellow tail) | |
| Flying fish | Shimaaji | Ankou(Monk fish) | |
| Bora(Gray mullet) | Aki-saba(Autumn mackerel) | Sardine | |
| Sardine | Inada(fry of Buri) | Sayori(Japanese halfbeak) | |
| Sea bass | Kisu | Itoyori(Golden threadfin bream) | |
| Octopus | Kamasu(Barracuda) | Kajiki maguro(Yellowfin tuna) | |
| Hamo(Congor pike) | Konoshiro(Dotted gizard shad) | Marugo(Bluefin tuna) | |
| Sea bream | Plaice(Flat fish) | Salmon | |
| Kurruma-ebi(Black tiger prawn) | Turbot | Kamasu(Barracuda) | |
| Iseebi | Fugu(Puffer fish) | Meita,Mako karei(Plaice) | |
| Shiba-ebi | Sardine | Shishamo | |
| Konoshiro(Dotted gizard shad) | Mongo-squid | Mongo ika(Squid) | |
| Autumn Salmon | Kegani(Horsehair crab) | Crabs | |
| Shako(Mantis shrimp) | Sumi-squid | Octopus | |
| Scallp | Baby otopus | Namako(Sea cucumber) | |
| Kawa-ebi | Salmon | Tokobushi(Small abalone) | |
| Ochi-ayu(last season sweet fish) | Anago(Congor eel) | Hotate(Scallop) | |
| Eel | Uni(Sea urchin) | ||
| Hamaguri(Asian hard clam) | Clams | ||
| Hokke(Atka mackerel) | Shako(Mantis shrimp) | ||
| Modorigatsuo(Bonito but fattier) | Koi(Calp) | ||
| Suppon(Soft-shelled turtle) | Wakasagi(Japanee smelt) | ||
| Suppon(Soft-shelled turtle) | |||
| Meat | Duck | Duck | |
| Quail | Quail | ||
| vegetables | Gobo(Burdock) | Turnip kinds | Sho-goin kabu(Kyoto turnip) |
| Auntumn arbergine | Leek kinds | Kabu(Turnip) | |
| Turnip | Pumpkin | Gobo(Burdock) | |
| Kuwai(Threeleaf arrowhead) | Kyoto carrot | Negi(Leek) | |
| Summer daikon | Chinese cabbage | Aokubi daikon | |
| Pumpkin | Autumn aubergine | Yurine(Lily root) | |
| Onion | Tougan(Winter melon) | Carrot | |
| Matsutake(Mushroom) | Satoimo(taro) | Chinese cabbage | |
| Shiitake(Mushroom) | Nagaimo(Chinese yam) | Wakegi(Spring onion) | |
| Enokidake(Mushroom) | Zuiki(Yam leaf) | Komatsuna | |
| Shimeji(Mushroom) | Lotus | Kikuna(Garland Chrysanthmum) | |
| Edamame | Shugiku(Garland Chrysanthmum) | Horenso(Spinach) | |
| Azuki(Red bean) | Chisha(Lettuce) | Satoimo(Taro) | |
| Cucumber | Togarashi(Red chilli) | Yam potatoes | |
| Tougan(Winter melon) | Gingko nut | Sweet potato | |
| Jinenjo(Jpanese yam) | Matsutake(Mushroom) | Cabbage | |
| Nagaimo(Chinese yam) | Nametake(Mushroom) | Shiitake(Mushroom) | |
| Kuzu(Japanese arrowroot) | Shiitake(Mushroom) | Shimeji(Mushroom) | |
| Togarashi(Red chilli) | Shimeji(Mushroom) | Chisha(Lettuce) | |
| Chinese cabbage | Maitake(Mushroom) | Seri(Japanese parsley) | |
| Shiso | Horenso(Spinach) | Kiku(Chrysanthmum) | |
| Okura | Sasage(Black-eyed pea) | Chorogi(Chinese artichoke) | |
| New gingko nut | Cabbage | Rakkasei(Peanut) | |
| Kiku(Chrysanthmum) | Gingko nut | ||
| Tomato | Kuri(Chesnut) | ||
| fruits | Sudashi(Cirtus) | Apple | Apple |
| Kuri(Chesnut) | Pear | Kaki(Persimmon) | |
| Kurumi(Walnut) | Fig | Mikan(Citrus unshu) | |
| Fig | Grape | Pear | |
| Grape | Kaki(pesimmon) | Olive | |
| Apple | Mikan(Citrus unshu)) | ||
| Pear | Zakuro(pomegranate) | ||
| Zakuro(Pomegranate) | Kuri(Chesnut) | ||
| Papaya | Kurumi(walnut) | ||
| Reishi(Lychee) | |||
| Kabosu(Citrus) |
WINETR/冬 : December, January, February
December/12月/師走
Events :
The Winter Solstice (冬至）
New Year’s Eve(大晦日）
January/1月/睦月
Events :The Chrysanthemum Festival (重陽の節句）
February/2月/如月
Events :The Chrysanthemum Festival (重陽の節句）
| December | January | February | |
|---|---|---|---|
| seafood | Iseebi | Madai(Sea bream) | Iseibi |
| Tai(Sea bream) | Amadai(Tile fish) | Kuruma-ebi(Black tiger prawn) | |
| Kuruma ebi(Black tiger prawn) | Iseebi | Amaebi | |
| Buri(Yellow tail) | Kurumaebi(Black tiger prawn) | Madai(Sea bream) | |
| Amadai(Tile fish) | Amaebi | Tara(Cod) | |
| Amaebi | Managatsuo | Salmon | |
| Aunkou(Monk fish) | Salmon | Buri(Yellowtail) | |
| Hirame(Turbot) | Fugu(Puffer fish) | Inada(Baby yellowtail) | |
| Tara(Cod) | Tara(Cod) | Managatsuo | |
| Sawara(Japanese spanish mackerel) | Sawara(Japanese spanish mackerel) | Sawara(Japanese spanish mackerel) | |
| Managatsuo | Nakako(Sea cucumber) | Maguro(Bluefin tuna) | |
| Salmon | Ankou(Monk fish) | Komai(saffron cod) | |
| Fugu(Puffer fish) | Wakasagi(Japanese smelt) | Crabs | |
| Plaices | Crabs | Koi(Calp) | |
| Houbou(Garnard) | Maguro(Blue fin tuna) | Karasumi(Bottarga) | |
| Konoshiro(Konosirus) | Kajiki(Bill fish) | Aosa(Seaweed) | |
| Zuwaigani(Snow crabs) | Magarei(Plaice) | Hamaguri(Japanese hard calm) | |
| Kaki(Oyster) | Kaki(Oyster) | Bakagai(Chinese mactra) | |
| Kinko(Sea cucumber) | Hotate(Scallop) | Shijimi(Clam) | |
| Uni(Sea urchin) | Tako(Octopus) | Asari(Clam) | |
| Hamaguri(japanese hard clam) | Shirauo(Icefish?) | Mirugai(Clam) | |
| Clams | Sumiika(Squid) | ||
| Squids | Buri(Yellowtail) | ||
| Inada(Small yellowtail) | |||
| Mutsu(Gnomefish) | |||
| Karasumi(Bottarga) | |||
| Kazunoko(Salted herring roe) | |||
| Tarako(Cod roe) | |||
| Meat | Duck | Duck | Duck |
| Quail | Quail | Quail | |
| Inoshishi(Wild boar) | Inoshishi(Wild boar) | Inoshishi(Wild boar) | |
| vegetables | Gobo(Burdock) | Gobo(Burdock) | Aokubi daikon |
| Daikon | Horikawa gobo(Kyoto gobo) | Gobo(Burdock) | |
| Carrot | Kyo-ninjin(Kyoto carrot) | Carrot | |
| Leek | Aokubi daikon | Satoimo(Yam) | |
| Yurine(Lily root) | Renkon(Lotus) | Bbiimo(kyoto yam) | |
| Kikuna | Satoimo(Yam) | Nagaimo(Chinese yam) | |
| Hakusai(Chinese cabbage) | Ebi-imo(Kyoto yam) | Yamaitoimo(Japanese yam) | |
| Hosenso(Spinach) | Sweet potato | Renkon(Lotus) | |
| Komatsuna | Nagaimo(Chinese yam) | shiitake(Mushroom) | |
| Mibuna(Kyoto spinach) | Yamatoimo(Japanese yam) | Turnip | |
| Turnips | Shiitake(Mushroom) | Karashina(Mustard green) | |
| Yams | Turnip | Mibuna(kyoto mizuna) | |
| Taros | Karashina(Mustard green) | Komatsuna | |
| Lotus | Nazuna(shepherd's purse) | Wakegi,Asatsuki(spring onions) | |
| Nametake(Mushroom) | Komatsuna | Menegi(sprouted chive) | |
| Chorogi(Chinese artichoke) | Mibuna(Kyoto mizuna) | Kuwai(Arrowhead) | |
| Seri(Japanese parsely) | Shungiku(Chrysanthemum) | Shungiku(Chrysanthemum) | |
| Shiitake(Mushroom) | Kuwai(Arrowhead) | Yurine(Lily root) | |
| Cabbage | Negi(Spring onions) | Udo(Spikenard) | |
| Cauliflower | Gingko nut | Gingko nut | |
| Mitsuba | Oba(Shiso leaf) | ||
| Tanpopo(Dandelion) | Seri(Japanese parsley) | ||
| Kuromame(Blck bean) | Mitsuba | ||
| Horenso(Spinach) | Fukinotou(Japanese butterbur) | ||
| Fukinotou(Japanese butterbur) | Tsukushi | ||
| Chorogi(Chinese artichoke) | Chorogi(Chinese artichoke) | ||
| Broccoli | Tanpopo(Dandelion) | ||
| Cauliflower | Broccoli | ||
| Hoshigaki(Dried persimmon) | Cauliflower | ||
| Apple | Kinome | ||
| Nanohana | |||
| fruits | Yuzu(Citrus) | Apple | |
| Mikan(Citrus unchu) | Mikan(Cirtus unshu) | Mikan(Cirtus unshu) | |
| Kinkan(Konquat) | Kinkan(konquat) | Kinkan(konquat) | |
| Ponkan(Citrus) | Sanpo-kan(Citrus) | Sanpo-kan(Citrus) | |
| Apple | Daidai(Bitter orange) | Daidai(Bitter orange) | |
| Daidai(Bitter orange) | Yuzu(Citrus) | Yuzu(Citrus) | |
| Nevel orange | Kinome | Valencia orange | |
| Chicory |
