[Orik]

Probably more fairly reviewed by someone who does not get all murderous and suicidal after eating this kind of food, Kajitsu is a vegan Japanese that recently opened on 9th Street (in the space that formerly housed Ebisu).

Actually vegan is a bit of a liberal description, this kind of Buddhist cooking is not meant to be satisfying, rather it is similar to the ultimate conclusion of what Alice Waters et al. are suggesting - it's sustainable, organic, seasonal, healthy, carefully handled and beautifully presented.

It feels like you've eaten less than nothing. Konyaku with kale and radish, cold soba, sesame tofu, mochi, very light broth with turnips... the only thing that registers as food is the vegetable tempura.

It's also not "seasonal" in the strict sense (what's that tomato doing there? where's the asparagus from? I guess just turnips wouldn't cut it). Rather, in keeping with the more reasonable Japanese interpretation of the word, things are supposed to be in season somewhere.


Anyway, highly recommended for your vegan friends who thrive on self denial, a mere curiosity for the rest of the world.

[Anthony Bonner]

this kind of Buddhist cooking is not meant to be satisfying

Are you editorializing or is this actually how they approach food?

[Sneakeater]

What is the sound of one lip smacking?

[Rich]

What is the sound of one lip smacking?

thud

[Orik]

this kind of Buddhist cooking is not meant to be satisfying

Are you editorializing or is this actually how they approach food?

Jinmyo is the right person to explain the religious background. It's meant to be satisfying in some other ways, but many of them are not on the plate.

Kyoto style Kaiseki is basically an expansion of this food, but they've added a lot of flavor-carriers, which increases the mass appeal (there's quite a market for the vegan/temple style in Kyoto, but I don't know that they don't go and have burgers or fried fish for dinners after a vegan lunch, I'm sure there'd be many suicides otherwise)

[djk]

ahaha! thud.

i walked by before it opened and thought it looked pretty. being a pescatarian, i was excited about the possibilities here. but maybe now only after having dinner somewhere else first. thanks.

[foodie52]

btw, admins SUCK

[TaliesinNYC]

btw, admins SUCK

???

[TaliesinNYC]

this kind of Buddhist cooking is not meant to be satisfying

Are you editorializing or is this actually how they approach food?

Jinmyo is the right person to explain the religious background. It's meant to be satisfying in some other ways, but many of them are not on the plate.

Kyoto style Kaiseki is basically an expansion of this food, but they've added a lot of flavor-carriers, which increases the mass appeal (there's quite a market for the vegan/temple style in Kyoto, but I don't know that they don't go and have burgers or fried fish for dinners after a vegan lunch, I'm sure there'd be many suicides otherwise)

this description reminds me of omen [the restaurant in soho]

[The Scream]

Korean Buddhist food is pretty tasty, no bulgogi, kalbi or pork belly, but still tasty.

[beachfan]

Probably more fairly reviewed by someone who does not get all murderous and suicidal after eating this kind of food, Kajitsu is a vegan Japanese that recently opened on 9th Street (in the space that formerly housed Ebisu).

Actually vegan is a bit of a liberal description, this kind of Buddhist cooking is not meant to be satisfying, rather it is similar to the ultimate conclusion of what Alice Waters et al. are suggesting - it's sustainable, organic, seasonal, healthy, carefully handled and beautifully presented.

It feels like you've eaten less than nothing. Konyaku with kale and radish, cold soba, sesame tofu, mochi, very light broth with turnips... the only thing that registers as food is the vegetable tempura.

It's also not "seasonal" in the strict sense (what's that tomato doing there? where's the asparagus from? I guess just turnips wouldn't cut it). Rather, in keeping with the more reasonable Japanese interpretation of the word, things are supposed to be in season somewhere.


Anyway, highly recommended for your vegan friends who thrive on self denial, a mere curiosity for the rest of the world.

Why would you go there, was there any possibility you would like it?

Personally, I'm not a vegetarian, but I love that type of food.

[nuxvomica]

It's also not "seasonal" in the strict sense (what's that tomato doing there? where's the asparagus from? I guess just turnips wouldn't cut it). Rather, in keeping with the more reasonable Japanese interpretation of the word, things are supposed to be in season somewhere.

oh, if i had a dollar for every time i hear a chef say "everything is in season somewhere"

[Orik]

Why would you go there, was there any possibility you would like it?

Personally, I'm not a vegetarian, but I love that type of food.

Friends.

If you love that type of food than this is a restaurant you might want to try, although Kyoya, a couple of blocks away, delivers a much better experience without the religion.

[StephanieL]

It sounds a lot like Hangawi, the vegan Korean place.

[Wilfrid]

Not only nice food, but nice light for photos too.

A review at the Pig.