Do Japanese eat tofu every day

Before you tofu-haters ignore this post, first let me tell you that I used to be a tofu-hater myself. Well maybe not a hater, but tofu was pretty low on the list of my favorite protein choices.

But then I lived in Japan.

Japan is one of the most meat loving places Ive been to in a long time. Fish and meat are MAJOR staples of the Japanese diet. They eat fish and meat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and dont know what to do with foreigners who dont eat meat. Vegans are basically unheard of. There are about 5 vegan restaurants in most major cities, and it took me weeks to find beans and other plant proteins in grocery stores. But thats a story for another day.

The point is, despite their meat obsessions, the Japanese LOVE tofu. Its a food with a long tradition and deep cultural pride. And it made me realize that they have a totally different view of this odd textured, seemingly bland tasting product.

The Japanese dont view tofu as a meat substitute like Americans do. The best tofu stores have lines around the block, and nobody in those lines are vegans or vegetarians. Tofu is often served alongside fish and miso soup in the traditional Japanese meal. We even once saw a dish on a menu called steak with tofu.

There are a million kinds of tofu and tofu-related products, and everybody loves them, because the Japanese just love soy beans and all their derivatives. (Sidenote: the same is true about soymilk, soy ice cream also contains dairy because its not trying to be a milk alternative, they just love their soymilk).

Im here to tell you that the Japanese have freakingmasteredthe soy bean in all of its forms. It makes me feel kind of sad and ashamed about all the ways that we westerners have ruined and misinterpreted such a delicacy.

What strikes me the most is the simplicity of tofu dishes in Japan. People simply put a block of soft fresh tofu in a bowl of hot water and garnish it with green onions, ginger, and soy sauce. Thats it. They call ityudofuwhich literally means tofu and hot water. And for some reason, itsdelicious.The Japanese dont try to make tofu anything other than what it is. They appreciate itas its own thing.

Part of the issue is also that tofu in Japan is better than tofu here. Their tofu is delicate, soft, fresh, and worth eating by itself. Really firm, highly processed, packaged tofu in the western world just doesnt compare. If you have access to an Asian foods store, I highly recommend checking out their tofu section to see if theyve got the good stuff.

Having experienced the tofu culture of Japan, it feels seriously tragic to me to go back to the western mindset of tofu as an eye-roll inducing, tasteless, squishy block that vegans are pretending is a good substitute for meat. Divorce those associations from your mind right now, because they are preventing you from appreciating tofu as itsmeant to be enjoyed.

Ok, tofu rant over. That said, if you do enjoy tofu as a meat substitute, go for it! I enjoy a good tofu stir fry too. I just want you all to know that tofu can be so much more.

So, before you laugh tofu off as a vegan delusion, why not give some of these simple, delicious, and traditional recipes a try?

My Top 10 Favorite Things To Do With Tofu

Mostly from Nami at Just One Cookbook who is essentially my blogger hero who singlehandedly taught me to feed myself while in Japan

Yudofu (Tofu in Hot Water w/ Simple Flavorings)

This was one of our our go-to weeknight dinner sides, yummy and quick.

Agedashi Tofu (Deep Fried Tofu)

This was our restaurant go-to in Japan (minus the bonito flakes). Its so delicious, and mysterious how something so simple can be so good.

Miso Soup

A classic and easy side dish. Its essential to make your own dashi (broth) for good miso soup, but its as simple as putting some dried mushrooms and kelp in a container of water to store in the fridge.

Simple Teriyaki Tofu

We probably made this weekly while living in Japan. So yummy and easy.

Tofu & Soymilk Hot Pot (Nabe)

Hot Pots are made for gathering around together. Very versatile, easy, great for using up veggie odds and ends, and so much fun!

Oboro Tofu (Silken Tofu Curds)

This is seriously one of my favorite things and I dont really understand why. Its so freaking simple. Its actually a 2 minute meal.(Note: I use storebought Oboro Tofu (which means cloudy or hazy in Japanese) and dont make my own curds, but it looks easy and Id love to try it someday!)

Ok, now onto the more western-style preparations, which are great too!

Simple Stir Fry w/ Baked Tofu

Tofu Fried Rice

Tofu Breakfast Scramblew/Chipotle Lime Sauce

I thought tofu scrambles were stupid until I discovered this easy method (and this magical sauce)

Thai Curry w/ Tofu

(Pro Tip: I just buy tofu pre-fried from the Asian section of my grocery store and cut it into cubes before throwing it directly into the curry)

What is YOUR favorite way to prepare tofu?

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