Ancient Zen Vegan-Vegetarian Cooking Workshop (Private)

Shojin ryori has been made and eaten by Zen Buddhist monks in Japan for centuries and is still consumed by many people today, regardless of their religion. Buddhism heavily restricts meat eating, so shojin ryori is entirely vegetarian and can be vegan on many occasions. This cuisine uses five different preparation methods to draw out the ingredients' naturally salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami flavors. Each meal must also visually show five specific colors; red, yellow, green, black, and white, incorporating many seasonal ingredients. In this program, you will learn how to make an authentic shojin ryori meal by watching a demonstration from an expert instructor. Some typical shojin ryori fares include tempura vegetables, tofu salad, and dashi-based soup. Feel free to ask your instructors any questions you may have about this type of cuisine. After your instructor creates your dishes, you will sit down to eat your shojin ryori meal and learn about the history and etiquette of this ancient Zen Buddhist cuisine. Enjoy creating a meal with fresh and seasonal ingredients, learning more about Japanese history and culture, having great conversations, making new friends, and practicing Zen through cooking!