kaiseki cuisine; traditional Japanese multi-course meal
Refers to the refined multi-course meal served at high-end Japanese restaurants, often as part of a formal dinner. Not to be confused with 会席料理 (also read かいせきりょうり), which is a more casual banquet-style course meal.
See also: 会席料理
I had authentic kaiseki cuisine in Kyoto.
tea-ceremony dishes; light meal served before tea
Specifically the simple, rustic meal served during a Japanese tea ceremony to prepare the stomach for the thick tea. This is the original meaning from which the restaurant-style kaiseki evolved.
At a tea gathering, a light meal is served before the thick tea.