Paul Simon, spring magic, and ice cream to headline Japanese state dinner

Christian DatocApril 9, 2024

First Lady⁢ Jill Biden previewed the state ⁣dinner with Japanese ⁣Prime⁣ Minister Fumio Kishida, emphasizing the ‌reflection of both American and Japanese⁤ spring themes in the food and decor. President Joe Biden’s⁤ fifth state dinner since assuming office in 2021, following the most recent one last October. Notable guests at previous dinners include French President ‌Macron, South ‌Korean President Yoon, and Indian Prime Minister Modi.

First lady Jill Biden previewed Wednesday’s state dinner with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and outlined how the food and decor were chosen to best reflect both the United States and Japan in the spring.

The event marks President Joe Biden‘s fifth state dinner since entering office in 2021, with the most recent coming last October, when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the White House. French President Emmanuel Macron, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have also joined the Bidens for state dinners.

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, and his wife Yuko Kishida participate in an arrival ceremony on Monday, April 8, 2024, at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Kishida is set for his much-anticipated visit to Washington, which will include a glamorous state dinner on Wednesday. The visit comes amid growing concerns about provocative Chinese military action as well as a rare moment of public difference between Washington and Tokyo over a Japanese company’s plan to buy the iconic U.S. Steel. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The menu itself includes a first course of house-cured salmon garnished with ruby red grapefruits, avocados, cucumbers, and seashell leaf tempura. The main course features a dry-aged ribeye, sauced with sesame sabayon and served with morel mushrooms, mixed greens, fava beans, seashell leaves, and shishito pepper butter. For dessert, the White House will serve a salted miso-caramel-pistachio cake with matcha ganache, cherry ice cream, and a raspberry drizzle.

Jill Biden, White House Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo, and the White House executive chefs told reporters Tuesday evening that the dinner aims to “capture” the “magic of spring” and the lasting friendship between the two nations.

Cherry blossoms and hydrangeas will adorn the tables along with floral linens and pink pastel chairs.

Paul Simon performs on April 2, 2012, at Avery Fisher Hall in New York. Simon will sing for guests at Wednesday’s White House state dinner for Japan. The White House says he’s one of first lady Jill Biden’s favorite musicians. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Guests will be greeted by oversized fans, a motif that will continue throughout the East Wing and will be the backdrop behind Joe Biden and Kishida during the dinner itself.

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The White House cross hall will also feature a temporary “river” with live koi swimming throughout, and Paul Simon, a favorite artist of both Jill Biden and Kishida, will perform for attendees after dinner is concluded.

The first lady’s remarks can be seen in full below.