Kaiseki Meal Featuring Fresh Abalone from the Genkai Sea

Uomata is a Japanese restaurant in Saga’s Karatsu City, which was established over 70 years ago and specializes in abalone dishes. Also known as “awabi,” abalone are sea snails, which take about 5 years to reach their full size and must be hand-harvested by experienced divers. An Asian delicacy, abalone is highly-coveted in Japan with a price tag that reflects the high-end nature of the seafood. Abalone are also considered auspicious, or lucky, by some. The shop owner, who has a deep love and appreciation for awabi dishes and the long history of abalone in Japan, sources his abalone from the Genkai region. This luxurious kaiseki course meal includes 12 dishes and, of course, features abalone as the star of the meal. Menu (12 dishes): -Aperitif -An abalone-shaped higashi (dried candy, which is often served during tea ceremonies) -Sakamushi (seafood seasoned with salt and sake, then steamed) -Sashimi -Steamed fish -Seasoned fish -Chawanmushi (savory egg custard) -Miso-grilled abalone -Tempura -Donburi (rice bowl) with either abalone or sea urchin -Soup -Dessert