Risshun is a very important festival in Japan, which is the first day of spring. Japanese people always celebrate the first day of seasons. As the beginning of the year, Risshun no doubt is the most important one.
At the night before Risshun, Japanese always throw roasted beans to expel the evil and ghosts. They normally say “Oni Wa Soto” (keep the ghosts outside) and “Fuku Wa Uchi!” (Bring in the luck) when throwing the beans. After that, they should eat the beans.
To celebrate this special festival, Yamazato, a high-end Japanese restaurant at Hotel Okura presents “Risshun Kaiseki” dinner; it is comprised of elegant dishes precisely prepared to evoke the flavors and imagery of the spring.
The menu starts with fresh seared scallop and tiger shrimp with vinegar miso appetizer. Then, warm up your palate and body with the hot Clear Soup of Hamaguri Clam. The soup here is very outstanding: It is light, clear yet savoury.
The highlight is the Hassun, a platter of seasonal dishes. In this menu, the chef prepares an array of delicacies made of high quality ingredients, such as Fried Smelt, Herring Roe with Sea Urchin, Rapeseed Blossom, Broad Bean and Japanese Yam. Following are the treasures from the sea including Sashimi of Three Kinds Seasonal Fish, Grilled Oyster from Hokkaido with Egg and Rapeseed Blossom as well as Cod Fish with Grated Radish Served in a Hot Pot. Juicy Wagyu Beef is also can be seen in the menu, as the chef uses the beef to cook with Fried Taro Potato.
Risshun celebration can’t be completed without the Fortune Sushi Roll. In Japanese tradition, every person should finish one whole roll and cannot say anything during eating. It is believed that talking will let the luck escape from your mouth.
The meal ends with Seasonal Spring Fruits and Chestnut Cake and Macha from the menu.
Wish you a lucky new year!
*Editor-in-Chief of Essential Macau
