Tofu Day (Tōfu no Hi)

What Is Tofu Day?

October 2 is "Tofu Day" in Japan. It was established in 1993 (Heisei 5) by the Japan Tofu Association, based on a pun: "to" (10) + "fu" (2) makes "tofu." By the same pun, the 12th of every month is also Tofu Day. It is a fitting day for the start of autumn, when people switch from chilled tofu to hot tofu dishes.

How Tofu Spread in Japan

Tofu originated in China, and one theory holds that it was brought to Japan by envoys and monks returning from Tang China between the Nara and Heian periods.

• An early record: One well-known early reference in Japanese documents is "唐符" (tofu), written in the diary of a Shinto priest of Kasuga Shrine in Nara in 1183.
• From temple food to everyday food: At first tofu was eaten in temple vegetarian cuisine and by aristocrats, but by the Edo period it had spread to ordinary households.
• Tofu Hyakuchin: In 1782, a cookbook called Tofu Hyakuchin (One Hundred Tofu Delicacies) introduced 100 tofu recipes and was so popular that sequels followed.

Types of Tofu and How It Is Made

Tofu is made by soaking soybeans, grinding them, heating and straining them to make soy milk, and then adding a coagulant such as nigari.

• Momen (firm) tofu: The curds are broken up, placed in a cloth-lined mold and pressed. It has a cloth pattern on the surface and a firm texture.
• Kinugoshi (silken) tofu: Thick soy milk is set as is in the mold, giving it a smooth texture.
• Packed tofu: Cooled soy milk and coagulant are sealed in a container and then heated to set. It keeps well.

Tofu Trivia

• What is nigari? It is the liquid left over when salt is made from seawater, mainly magnesium chloride. Calcium sulfate is also used as a coagulant.
• Momen vs. kinugoshi nutrition: According to Japan's food composition tables, momen tofu, which has more water pressed out, contains more protein and calcium, while kinugoshi contains slightly more potassium.
• Soy isoflavones: Isoflavones in soybeans have a structure similar to female hormones. Japan's Food Safety Commission has set guideline amounts to avoid excessive intake from supplements.
• Okinawa's tofu culture: Okinawa has its own tofu traditions, such as large, firm "shima-dofu" and "tofuyo," tofu fermented in red koji and awamori.
• Tofu worldwide: As a plant-based protein, tofu is widely eaten overseas under the name "tofu."

Ideas for Tofu Day

• Buy freshly made tofu from a local tofu shop.
• Compare momen and kinugoshi, and use each where it suits best.
• On a chilly day, enjoy yudofu (hot tofu) to welcome autumn.
• Like Tofu Hyakuchin, try a tofu dish you have never made before.

Something to Remember on Tofu Day

October 2 is a day to take a fresh look at tofu, a familiar food with a long history. Spreading from temple cuisine to ordinary tables and then around the world, tofu's appeal lies in how well it fits into any dish. Why not add a seasonal tofu dish to your table today?