Kashiwaya Osaka Senriyama
Osaka, Japan
⭐3 Stars
The Experience
From Michelin Guide
Kashiwaya was the name of a ryokan inn once run by an ancestor of Chef Hideaki Matsuo. A devotee of Japanese culture and familiar with the tea ceremony, Matsuo inherited the restaurant as a family business. The menu pays homage to ancient seasonal festivals and events while adding creative touches with a view to the future. Although he runs the restaurant as a ryotei, Matsuo was an early adopter of the practice of pairing beverages with dishes. He is in constant search for the Japanese cuisine of the future.
Unique Things
From Visitor Experiences
Unconventional Aspects of Kashiwaya Osaka Senriyama
Residential Neighborhood Setting
Kashiwaya is located in a quiet residential area of Senriyama, Osaka, rather than in a bustling city center or a luxury hotel—an unusual choice for a three-Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant, which are more commonly found in Kyoto or Tokyo. This setting reflects the restaurant’s roots in Osaka’s unpretentious, local food culture.
Sustainability Focus with a Green Star
Owner-chef Hideaki Matsuo has held three Michelin stars for over a decade and, in 2021, earned a Michelin Green Star for sustainability—a rare distinction highlighting the restaurant’s commitment to eco-friendly practices, including the use of fresh, regional, and seasonal ingredients.
Tea Ceremony-Inspired Hospitality
The restaurant’s concept is deeply influenced by sado, the Japanese tea ceremony, which is unusual for a kaiseki establishment. Matsuo’s background in tea ceremony shapes not just the food but the entire dining experience, emphasizing mindfulness, seasonality, and the wabi-sabi aesthetic in both cuisine and ambiance.
Ingredient Stars
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored or signature ingredients at Kashiwaya Osaka Senriyama include:
Abalone: Used in a signature dish featuring abalone broth jelly, combined with sea urchin and shiro-uri melon, served on a lotus leaf. This dish symbolizes a raindrop on a lotus leaf, reflecting seasonal and natural themes, and highlights abalone’s rich texture and flavor.
Sea Urchin (Uni): Praised as exceptionally rich and flavorful, uni is often paired with other ingredients like sesame tofu and avocado, enhancing creaminess and umami in dishes.
Sesame Tofu: A fresh, sticky, and gooey tofu base that supports toppings like uni and avocado, creating a balance of textures and subtle flavors in cold dishes.
Clear Broth with Lobster: The soup course features a clear broth bursting with umami, accompanied by tender lobster pieces and seasonal vegetables, showcasing refined technique and depth of flavor.
Seasonal Vegetables and Citrus (e.g., Sudachi citrus): Used to complement grilled fish dishes such as salted yellowtail, adding brightness and balance to the flavors.
These ingredients are carefully selected to express the seasons and Japanese culinary tradition, forming the core of Kashiwaya’s celebrated kaiseki experience.
Menu & Pricing
Current Offerings & Prices
Menu Options at Kashiwaya Osaka Senriyama
Set Menus
Tasting Menus (Dinner)
- Option 1: ¥22,000
- Option 2: ¥38,500
- Option 3: ¥50,600
- Description: Traditional Kaiseki cuisine with a fixed sequence of dishes. The difference in price is based on the quality of ingredients. No specific menu details are published, but it typically includes courses like sashimi and grilled dishes.
Lunch Menu
- Price: Approximately ¥28,500
- Description: Includes an assortment of appetizers, clear aromatic soup with steamed shrimp and shiitake mushrooms, grilled amadai tilefish, and seasonal desserts like azuki beans parfait.
A La Carte Options
- No specific a la carte options are mentioned.
Special Seasonal Menus
- Seasonal Desserts
- Description: Colorful collection of sweet squares presented on silver leaf-shaped plates and azuki beans parfait in a crystal glass.
Additional Options
- Wine Pairing: ¥10,120 for dinner.