noun
food served on a table; dinner; cover charge
Refers to food placed on a small Japanese table (膳), or the meal itself. In restaurant contexts, it can mean a cover charge or table charge.
See also: 膳
旅館で豪華な膳部が出された。
A lavish meal was served on a small table at the inn.
この店は膳部として五百円かかる。
This restaurant charges a 500-yen cover charge.
noun
cook; chef; person who prepares food
Rare or archaic term for a cook or chef, especially one who arranges food on trays or tables. Modern Japanese usually uses 料理人 or シェフ.
江戸時代の膳部は、料理を膳に載せる役目だった。
In the Edo period, a zenbu was a person responsible for placing dishes on trays.