Daily Set Meal
て い しょく
What is "定食 tesishoku"?
“定食 teisyoku set meal ” is one of the forms of serving food in restaurants and other establishments. It consists of a number of fixed dishes. Also called course meal, plate or one-plate meal.
In Japanese restaurants, you will often see menus with “定食 teishoku” in the name of the main side dish, such as ” とんかつ定食 tonkatsu teishoku” (pork cutlet set meal).
ていしょく
定食 teishoku is a standard meal style that is eaten daily in Japan, consisting of cooked rice, soup such as miso soup, pickled vegetables, and side dishes such as meat, fish, and vegetables.
Although the name “定食 teishoku” may draw attention to the side dishes, it is actually the rice that is at the center of the meal. Rice has long been an everyday food of the Japanese people, and is a special ingredient that goes well with any side dish. In 定食 teishoku, the dishes that surround the rice are arranged in such a way that they are delicious with the rice. The presence of rice at the center of the set meal is what makes it possible to create a set meal that is suitable for any side dish.
The formula for a set meal
Another characteristic of teishoku is that all plates are placed on the table at the same time. At first glance, this may seem like an inexplicable way of serving food, but it is part of Japanese food culture.
Deeply rooted in Japanese daily life, teishoku is characterized by a healthy nutritional balance, an aesthetic sense that makes food pleasurable to the senses, and a high level of spirituality toward food. Teishoku, loved by many Japanese people, is a meal that simultaneously satisfies the body and the soul, and is also closely related to the evolution of Japanese food culture.
ていしょく
定 食 teishoku is a Japanese dish that is full of charm.
Here in the ” 定食 teishoku library,” let’s delve further into its charms.
The heart of the set meal is the rice.
Rice has long been a staple food (the main food in daily meals) in Japan. Today, there are many alternatives to rice, such as noodles and bread, but the traditional Japanese set meal structure of “rice as the main dish with side dishes as the sub” makes a lot of sense as a daily meal style in terms of taste, richness of menu structure, and healthy nutritional balance.
How to enjoy a delicious set meal
Unlike a Western course meal, a set meal that includes rice, soup, pickles, and side dishes all lined up at the same time can be a bit confusing if you are not used to eating them in that order. But there is no need to worry. In fact, there is a hint to enjoy teishoku. It is to eat rice, eat the soup, return to the rice, eat the side dish, and then return to the rice.
This way of eating, which is said to be unique to Japan, has the following advantages.
Prevents overeating of proteins and fats, thus improving nutritional balance
You can adjust the taste to your own preference by eating more rice with strong-flavored side dishes and less rice with light-flavored side dishes.
By returning to rice after a side dish, you can refresh your palate and enjoy the next dish.
By eating with rice, which has a simple flavor that goes well with any food, you can enjoy your meal deliciously without getting bored until the end.
Thank you for reading! ありがとう。 Namu Shinnyo ■
