What is Teishoku? The Japanese Set Meal

Japanese food is one of the most famous culinary cuisines in the world. The simplicity, high-quality ingredients and natural flavors of traditional dishes are famous for leaving diners feeling satisfied, healthy and delightfully full. 

Japanese cooking methods are traditionally done in a way to enhance the natural flavors of the food, as they’re something to celebrate, not hide.

Teishoku, pronounced “tay-show-ku,” the traditional Japanese set meal, is one of these delicious dishes. Consisting of a main dish and smaller accompanying dishes, it is an important part of traditional Japanese cuisine and culinary culture. 

Teishoku translates to “set meal” and is a popular style of dining in Japan. All courses are served together in a set, where they are eaten together rather than one at a time. 

Teishoku is commonly served as lunch or dinner sets in local spots and family restaurants, and is similar to Japanese-style home cooking (eating a variety of small dishes). 

It is a healthy, affordable and comfortable option for all kinds of people, whether it be an older couple enjoying a nice meal together or a group of friends having a tasty bite before heading out on the town.

Teishoku originates from the style of traditional meals offered at Zen temples, called ichiju-issai (“one soup, one side”). Over the centuries, it has changed and adapted to the ingredients and resources available. 

Today, this traditional Japanese set meal includes a main dish, side dish, miso soup, pickles and rice. It is generally suggested to begin the meal with a sip of miso soup, followed by a bite of the main dish, alternating with the rice and side dishes. 

Teishoku embodies the traditional Japanese ideals of harmony, balance and aesthetic. Each traditional Japanese set meal is carefully curated to create a satisfying, well-balanced and visually appealing culinary experience.

The main character of the set meal. It can vary widely, including grilled fish, fried chicken, breaded and fried meat, seafood, sashimi or another kind of protein. 

Originally, according to Zen doctrine, animal products were not allowed and meat-eating was banned and looked down upon by society. However, with the outside Western influence of the Meiji Period, the ban on eating meat was lifted in 1872. 

Meat is now extremely popular in contemporary Japan and sometimes it is even difficult for vegetarians to find a dish that they can consume in typical Japanese restaurants.

Read more: The Ultimate Vegetarian Guide to Japan  

Read more: Japanese for Vegans: Your Guide to Finding Vegetarian and Vegan Food in Japan

The beloved character of the set meal. Rice is perhaps one of Japan’s most favorite foods and lives at its cuisine’s heart and soul. Historically, Japanese meals typically revolved around rice, and the set meal was no exception. 

For today’s teishoku, it is usually available in a few different forms: white, brown or mixed grain.

The supporting character of the set meal. Most, if not all, traditional Japanese meals involve small side dishes to complement the flavors of the main and to ensure a good nutritional balance for the body.

Similar to the main dish, it can also vary. Most side dishes are a type of vegetable, beans, salad, seaweed, cold tofu, macaroni salad or something else that complements the main course and balances out the entire meal.

The comforting character of the set meal. Miso soup evokes the feelings of warmth and comfort when enjoyed in a Japanese set meal. 

It is an incredibly nutritious element, containing gut-friendly miso, seaweed, green onions, vegetables, tofu and other nourishing ingredients. 

The tart and salty character of the set meal. Usually either served as pickled radishes, ginger or cucumber. The pickles, known as tsukemono, act as a palate cleanser for the other components of the meal and help with digestion.

This experience gives visitors and residents alike the chance to make their own teishoku meal set in central Tokyo. Options include sushi, okonomiyaki, yakisoba and more.

This cooking class includes the chance to learn how to make a traditional Japanese set meal in Kanagawa. Options include tonkatsu, karaage or buta no shogayaki.

This cooking experience teaches guests how to make a traditional Kyoto teishoku meal in Fushimi, Kyoto. It includes ozoni, the Kyoto-style mochi soup, and a main dish of mackerel simmered in miso.

Teishoku is one of the best ways to have an authentic and traditional Japanese food experience. Its large variety of options allows one to sample the many different kinds of flavors, textures and styles that define traditional Japanese cuisine. 

Visitors can experience Japanese home cooking from the tabletops of a restaurant, while residents can enjoy the convenience of a home cooked meal when outside of the house. 

There’s no guess as to why teishoku is cherished by Japan and the hungry people who visit and inhabit it.

Craving more cultural Japanese food info? Read all about traditional Japanese foods, dive into 47 Japanese dishes or learn about the multicourse meals of kaiseki ryori cuisine.

Teishoku, written as 定食 in Japanese (meaning a "set" or "defined" meal), is pronounced as three syllables: tay-sho-ku.

If all else fails, as long as you're smiling and can point at the menu, you'll end up with a delicious meal.

Learn more: Must-Know Japanese Restaurant Phrases

Teishoku refers to a set meal, meaning that you can expect a selection of small dishes, usually including a main dish of meat or seafood, a bowl of rice, miso soup, a side dish and picked vegetables.

Japanese bento boxes, on the other hand, are closer to the Western idea of a packed lunch. Though it may include similar ingredients or dishes, it has a wider variety of options, also including something sweet like fresh fruit or sweets.

Find out more: Breaking Down the Bento Box: Contents, History & Recipe Recommendations

Teishoku set meals can be found all over Japan, especially at more traditional restaurants. There are many different set meals available, from the classic to the more modern, giving you a different taste of Japan with every order.