Five is a very important number in our Bellevue Japanese restaurant. After all, Japan’s relationship with this number is a long-standing one, heavy with tradition. It comes through in art, in architecture, and especially in the food. So, the next time you take a meal at Flo, consider how the following are being expressed in your dining experience:
- A Meal Should Please the Five Senses: A meal needs to do more than just smell good and taste good. It should also please the eye with good presentation. The feel of your utensils and dishes should please your tactile sense. The ambiance of your dining venue should satisfy your hearing.
- A Meal Should Represent the Five Colors: In Japan, the five elemental colors are red, green, yellow, white, and black. Chefs try to include all five in a single meal, which serves to achieve a balance of nutritional benefits as well.
- A Meal Should Include All Five Tastes: In addition to bitter, sour, salt, and sweet, Japan rounds off their list of five taste sensations with umami, which translates roughly to “savory”.
- A Meal Should Include All Five Preparations: Japan counts five different ways food can be prepared, these being fried, simmered, steamed, roasted/grilled, and raw.
- A Diner Should Reflect on the Five Attitudes: Buddhist tradition asks of its followers to reflect on five important points when they dine:
- I reflect on the labor that went into bringing this food to me.
- I reflect on my shortcomings, and on whether or not I am worthy of this meal.
- Allow that my mind is free of prejudices and greed.
- I accept this food to help me maintain good health.
- I accept this food to help me continue my search for enlightenment.