The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka (Location: 2-5-25 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka; General Manager: Mark Neukom) presents the "Seasonal Medicinal Lunch 'Wakan'" launching January 22, 2026, at the Chinese restaurant Xiang Tao on the 5th floor.
First Lunch Course Embracing Traditional Chinese Medicine Philosophy
The weekday-exclusive "Seasonal Medicinal Lunch 'Wakan'" represents the first lunch course to incorporate the principles of "food-medicine synergy" and "tea-medicine synergy." Since May 2025, Xiang Tao has hosted nine events across three seasons themed around these concepts, receiving enthusiastic reception from guests. Following numerous requests to enjoy medicinal cuisine on a regular basis, the restaurant now launches this new course.
Chinese medicinal cuisine is based on the "five seasons, five colors" concept, which combines the five seasons of spring, summer, autumn, winter, and transitional periods (doyō) with the five-element color theory of blue, red, yellow, white, and black. Each season corresponds to a specific color: spring to blue, summer to red, transitional periods to yellow, autumn to white, and winter to black. This season's menu features black ingredients throughout all dishes, as black foods are believed to promote bodily balance when consumed during winter.
Senior Tea Master and International Medicinal Cuisine Specialist Junya Oda with Chinese Restaurant "Xiang Tao" Chef Keiji Minakami
Signature Medicinal Collagen Soup and Six-Course Menu
The course comprises six dishes—appetizer, soup, two main dishes, noodles, and dessert—accompanied by medicinal tea. The highlight is the "Medicinal Collagen Soup," where Chef Keiji Minakami carefully extracts the essence and nutrition from soft-shelled turtle over six hours, combining it with superior stock (ichiban dashi) to create this exceptional dish. This chef's most recommended item presents a harmonious blend of seasonal ingredients and soup, delivering a profound flavor that permeates the entire body.
Senior Tea Master, Senior Tea Evaluator, and International Medicinal Cuisine Specialist Junya Oda has selected this season's medicinal tea: Pu'er tea, a representative black tea offering a distinctive aroma and deep, rich flavor. The tea is blended with dried mandarin peel (chenpi) and goji berries, which are abundant in vitamins C, E, and carotenoids. The theme and menu will change with each season going forward.
Experience moments that nurture mind and body from within through these deeply flavorful offerings.
Course Details
Period: January 22, 2026 onwards (weekdays only)
Location: Chinese Restaurant Xiang Tao (5th floor)
Service Hours: Monday to Friday, 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Price: ¥7,500 (including tax and service charge)
Reservations: Phone 06-6343-7020 (Restaurant Reservations), 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Website: https://xiangtao.ritzcarltonosaka.com/
Menu Contents
- Chinese Tea Master Oda's Medicinal Tea: Goji Berry, Chenpi, and Pu'er Tea
- Xiang Tao Appetizer Collection
- Chef Minakami's Gourmet Collagen Soup: Pearl Barley and Chicken with Wakame in Soft-Shelled Turtle Collagen Broth
- Abalone with Lotus Root and Black Cabbage Stir-Fried with Black Pepper
- Okinawan Kibimaru Pork Fillet with Strawberry and Black Vinegar Sauce
- Black Sesame Dandan Noodles
- Steamed Castella with Brown Sugar and Black Beans
*Photos are for illustration purposes. Menu contents are subject to change. All prices include consumption tax and service charge.
About The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka
The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka opened in May 1997 as the first Ritz-Carlton hotel in Japan. With sophisticated spaces reminiscent of an 18th-century British aristocratic mansion, cuisine that satisfies all five senses, and the meticulous service for which The Ritz-Carlton is renowned worldwide, the hotel provides guests with unique, memorable, and personalized experiences.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritzcarlton.osaka/
