What is Obanzai?
When discussing Kyoto’s food culture, you can’t overlook “obanzai.” Unlike special cuisine such as kaiseki ryori, obanzai refers to everyday home-cooked side dishes of Kyoto households. The word ‘obanzai’ is a Kyoto dialect term for side dishes that are commonly enjoyed in daily life.
At the heart of obanzai lies the spirit of “shimatsu,” which means to “make the most of what you have”. This philosophy of using every edible part of ingredients, such as vegetable stems, roots, and skins, wasting nothing, represents respect for nature and food.
Obanzai was once passed down within families as “mother’s home cooking.” Its simple, gentle flavors have gained recognition as a healthy and well-balanced way of eating, and is now enjoyed by many travelers from both Japan and abroad. During your stay in Kyoto, we recommend you enjoy this local culinary tradition as part of your travel experience.
Please feel free to ask our hotel staff for local restaurant recommendations that serve authentic obanzai in Kyoto!