four-legged tray for festive food
A traditional low tray with four legs, used to serve individual meals on special occasions or in formal settings. Often associated with celebratory meals or traditional Japanese cuisine.
On New Year's, we eat osechi dishes served on a festive tray.
旅館で、夕食がお膳で運ばれてきた。
At the inn, dinner was brought in on individual trays.
setting the table; laying the table · setting up; making arrangements; paving the way
From 御 (honorific prefix) + 膳 (tray, small table). The word 膳 originally referred to a low table or tray for food, and the prefix お adds politeness.