A look at the White House state dinner for Japan in photos

A spring-themed menu inspired by American and Japanese cuisine and decor reminiscent of a koi pond were features of Wednesday evening’s White House state dinner in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife.

President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden recognize the long alliance between the United States and Japan with the rare, time-honored tradition of a state dinner that draws on the traditions of both countries.

Singer-songwriter Paul Simon, who counts both the first lady and the prime minister among his fans, will perform on stage.

The theme and decoration

The theme is “celebration of spring”, a symbol meant to reflect the friendship between the two countries. A garden features flowers native to both countries, including sweet peas, peonies and hydrangeas. Glass and silk butterflies also appear on the tables.

The highlight of the dinner decor is the floor, covered to make it look like guests are walking on a koi pond complete with water lilies and cherry blossoms. The colors green, blue and pink are at the heart of the theme: green represents the growth of friendship, blue represents stability and security and pink represents the essence of spring.

The menu

Food is the center of any good state dinner. According to the White House, guests will be served a first course of house-cured salmon; a salad of avocado, red grapefruit, watermelon radish and cucumber; and shiso leaf fritters.

Dry-aged rib eye steak, blistered shishito pepper butter, broad beans, morels and cipollini will be the main course, accompanied by a zabaglione with sesame oil.

Dessert includes pistachio and salted caramel cake, matcha ganache; and ice cream — cherry ice cream, with a raspberry drizzle.

The evening’s wines come from Oregon and Washington.