Mukadeya Main Store

One of the first pleasures of Mukadeya Main Store’s obanzai kaiseki is opening a tiered box and sharing its small dishes of obanzai, Kyoto-style home cooking. A diner who tried the course recalled that the three-tier box was followed by clear soup, grilled dishes and tempura, with steamed bean rice to finish. It suits a meal built around sampling several small dishes alongside warm courses. The obanzai kaiseki options include Shinchō, Nishiki and Muromachi; Muromachi requires a reservation.

For a lighter lunch, one account of the Mukadeya set meal mentions appetisers, sashimi, salmon grilled with sake lees, and yuba and aubergine simmered together. Another lunch featured a katsudon set and a tempura set, each served with a small obanzai dish. Those looking for a more substantial centrepiece can consider the Wagyu steak rice box set, premium seafood rice box set or special eel rice box set. These boxed meals are listed with two small dishes, two obanzai dishes, pickles and red miso soup. They offer a main dish with a selection of sides and soup.

The menu also gives a sense of the range of flavours, with appetisers such as pumpkin tofu, duck loin, simmered whole-head prawn and fig with sesame cream. The pumpkin tofu is described with tomato, okra, nuts, wasabi and dashi, making it a useful option to note if you want a dish that brings several ingredients together. Drinks include beer and red or white wine by the glass, as well as sake served chilled or hot. Check ahead if you are considering a kaiseki course that requires a reservation. Reservations are recommended for both lunch and dinner, and private rooms are available.