is a traditional style of

Japanese cuisine Japanese cuisine encompasses the regional and traditional foods of Japan, which have developed through centuries of political, economic, and social changes. The traditional cuisine of Japan (Japanese: ) is based on rice with miso soup and other ...

native to

Kyoto Kyoto (; Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. Located in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu, Kyoto forms a part of the Keihanshin metropolitan area along with Osaka and Kobe. , the ci ...

. For food to be considered obanzai, at least half of its ingredients must be produced or processed in Kyoto. Obanzai-kyotofood-2018-12-30

Ingredients in ''obanzai'' cooking must also be in season. ''Obanzai'' cooking heavily relies on vegetables and seafood, prepared simply. Another characteristic of ''obanzai'' is the incorporation of ingredients which are usually discarded as waste.

Origin

The word "obanzai" originated in 1964, when Shige Ōmura and others used the term in a newspaper article to describe traditional home cooking of Kyoto.

Preparation

Traditionally, obanzai is made taking into consideration five core spiritual elements　 *honma mon (genuine things) – using seasonings and cooking implements that have value *ambai (balance) – unique balance born out of flexibility and creativity in utilizing ingredients *deaimon (encounter) – cherishing encounters that are made through acquisition and use of ingredients. This word means the act or spirit of living with nature or community. *omotenashi (hospitality) – willingness to make an effort to make the best selection matching the mood or condition of others, to cogitate to enjoy the meal, to cook with the wish that who eat the meal stay healthy. These three acts means motenashi. *shimatsu (not creating waste) – similar to

mottainai is a term of Japanese origin that has been used by environmentalists. The term in Japanese conveys a sense of regret over waste; the exclamation "" can translate as "What a waste!" Japanese environmentalists have used the term to encourage peo ...

, it means putting everything available to good use

References

{{Reflist Kyoto Japanese cuisine