Japanese Food Culture 6- Tofu

Tofu is also eaten in Asian and Southeast Asian countries. Soy products are also popular in other countries because they are healthy food and can be eaten by vegetarians and vegans.

There are tofu that are produced locally in Western countries. Some tofu is a little different from Japanese tofu, while others are almost identical to Japanese tofu, and they vary.

Tofu seems to have come to Japan from China, but by whom? There are many theories when it comes to this question, and the honest answer seems to be that the history of tofu in Japanese food culture is long and unclear. Tofu has been loved in Japan for such a long time.

Count "cho": 1 cho, 2 cho, 3 cho, and so on.

It is not a "tsu" or an "ko".

Momen Tofu (Firm Tofu)

Kinugoshi Tofu (Silken Tofu)

Oboro Tofu (Kumiage Tofu)

Broadly speaking, tofu is a part of Japanese food culture, and the white-colored tofu can be broadly divided into the above three types.

Tofu is a traditional Japanese food culture, and there are many tofu products that add a little something extra to it. These products were created to preserve the flavor of tofu and extend the life of the tofu at a time when refrigeration was difficult, which is a testament to the historical background of the industry.

“Yakitofu", grilled tofu

“Atsuage”, thickly sliced and deep-fried tofu

“Aburaage” ("Usuage" in the Kansai region), tofu cut into thin slices and deep fried in oil

“Ganmodoki (Hiryuzu)”, tofu mixed with finely chopped vegetables and other ingredients, then deep fried in oil

There are many types of tofu as above.

Kinugoshi tofu = Silken tofu

We recommend to taste this without soy sauce.

This dark-flavored silken tofu has the aroma of soybeans and the sweetness of soybeans intact.

Left and right: Ganmodoki (Hiryuzu)

“Mikako‘s Ganmodoki” is the product name of ganmodoki sold at Kagurazaka Katsuno Tofu.

This is because Mikako-san chopped vegetables into small pieces and prepared them with love and care.

It is filled with finely chopped vegetables and other ingredients.

We are publishing a free test on how to make tofu and original new tofu products under the title "NIHON AI TEST Introductory Test Tofu: Kagurazaka Katsuno Tofu" on this website.

 If you are interested in tofu, a Japanese food culture, please try the introductory test "Tofu”.

創業70年 東京都新宿区 神楽坂 かつのとうふ ／ Established 70 years. kagurazaka KatsunoTofu

Many of you may have changed your concept of tofu since this product, "Wave Riding Johnny," appeared in the supermarket. This tofu has a thick flavor with a pudding-like texture. It also became a topic of conversation because of its surfboard shape.

Manufacturer: Sanwatousuian Co., Ltd. , Koga City, Ibaraki Prefecture

 External Site

https://sanwatousuian.co.jp/products/241

Tokuno Ken-chan: "Gently melting smoothness" and "thick tofu" are the concept of this product.

They are number one in popularity.

External website: Otokomae Tofu Inc., Kyoto

 https://otokomae.jp/

In the Kanto region, I have never seen a "something like Atsuage" like this size made from tofu.

Tochio-age is tofu fried in oil. Tochio-age is hung on a metal hook or pierced with a metal skewer to drain the oil, so it is characterized by one or two small holes (depending on where it is made).

Tochio-age" can be found at Niigata cuisine specialty restaurants in Tokyo, and can also be purchased at large supermarkets.

In the Kanto region, the closest thing to "Tochio-age" is thickly sliced tofu and deep-fried in oil, but the texture differs from real Tochio-age. For the sake of convenience, I have described it here as "something like Atsuage”.

This continuation will be gradually increased. (NIHON-AI editorial staff)

Tofu restaurants make and serve tofu on the table. It is beautiful tofu.

A foreigner who has the same kind of tofu in his country as in Japan said, "It was the first time for me to eat freshly made hot tofu. It tasted sweet. There is no restaurant specializing in tofu cuisine in my country.”

Tofu is famous for its high protein content and is called "meat of the field".

In addition, we have found other information that describes it as a healthy food, beauty food, and longevity food containing isoflavone and calcium, which we include here for your reference.

External website National Tofu Association of Japan Website

 http://www.zentoren.jp/knowledge/health.html#:~:text=%E8%B1%86%E8%85%90%E3%81%AF%E3%80%81%E8%A3%BD%E9%80%A0%E5%B7%A5%E7%A8%8B%E3%81%A7,%E3%82%82%E6%8C%87%E6%91%98%E3%81%95%E3%82%8C%E3%81%A6%E3%81%84%E3%81%BE%E3%81%99%E3%80%82