Obanzai facts for kids
Obanzai (おばんざい) is a special kind of traditional Japanese cuisine from Kyoto, Japan. For a dish to be called Obanzai, more than half of its ingredients must come from Kyoto. Also, the ingredients need to be fresh and in season. Obanzai dishes often use lots of vegetables and seafood, cooked in a simple way. A unique part of Obanzai is that it tries to use every bit of an ingredient, even parts people might usually throw away!
Where the Name Obanzai Comes From
The word "Obanzai" started being used in 1964. A person named Shige Ōmura and some others used it in a newspaper article. They used it to describe the traditional home-cooked meals from Kyoto.
How Obanzai Dishes Are Made
When people traditionally make Obanzai, they think about five important ideas. These ideas help guide how the food is prepared:
- Honma Mon (Genuine Things)
This means using good quality seasonings and cooking tools. It's about valuing the items you use to make the food.
- Ambai (Balance)
This idea is about finding a special balance in the food. It comes from being flexible and creative with the ingredients you have.
- Deaimon (Encounter)
This means appreciating the connections you make when getting and using ingredients. It's about living in harmony with nature and your community.
- Omotenashi (Hospitality)
This is about making an effort to choose the best food for others. It means thinking about how they will enjoy the meal. It also means cooking with the wish that those who eat the meal stay healthy.
- Shimatsu (Not Creating Waste)
This idea is similar to the Japanese word Mottainai. It means using everything you have available and not letting anything go to waste.
