Shokado Bento Traditional Cooking Class in Kyoto

Japanese packed meals (bento) are uniquely intricate in flavors and visuals. But Shokado bento, which originated almost a century ago in Kyoto, emphasizes not only how food items look (or taste) but also what they represent. The initial inspiration behind Shokado bento came from the box itself. In the 20th century, a Kyoto restaurant owner created a refined-yet-simple packed meal idea after seeing a laquered box in a tea function. The box was made in a style favored by Shokado Shojo, a Buddhist monk and tea master living in the area in the 1700s. Using a similar box for bento proved to have its advantages. Having four food items in different compartments allowed for a visually striking balance and ensured the flavors of each dish were not mixed, with each representing an ideal in traditional Japanese aesthetics. Shokado bento is now one of Kyoto’s most renowned foods, a test of skill and artistry that anyone can succeed at under the right guidance. In this class, you’ll assemble your own Shokado bento following the traditional precepts to ensure harmony and balance and learn about Japanese table manners before tasting your delicious meal. You’ll also be able to take home a booklet with the recipes in English to replicate the experience back home. You'll make a shokado bento with the following four components: -Grilled dish (fish or meat) -Simmered dish (seasonal vegetables in a delicate broth) -Mixed dish (greens with sesame dressing or ohitashi —a side dish of boiled vegetables in bonito-flavored soy sauce) -Rice & pickles