Sasa no Yuki – Ten courses of tofu
This is ten courses of tofu. Without jisho.org(*), I can’t read half of it, the hostess speaks only a minimal amount of English to me and mostly just smiles, my company simply tells me that this is the menu. There’s little necessity to go further anyway, they probably think, the joy is in eating the courses and not in knowing what it is, since I’m just a foreigner who most likely eats here only once.
And they’re right… This stylish restaurant, Sasa no Yuki, is not quite for a student’s everyday dining, the cheapest lunch course (Uguisugozen, 6 dishes) is 2200 yen (~$22). But I keep the slip of paper, and I will remember what everything is called!
First 2 courses: ike mori namasu (生盛膾) – vegetable (and jelly) assortment with a tofu dipping sauce, and sasanoyuki (笹乃雪) – a block of cold white tofu. Don’t underestimate the tofu block, it’s uncooked, extremely pure and actually tastes like soybean.
Third and fourth courses: ankake tofu (あんかけ豆富)* – tofu in a slightly sweetened soy-flavored sauce with a dash of mustard, and goma tofu (胡麻豆富) – tofu made with sesame and arrowroot.
Ankake tofu is said to be Sasa no Yuki’s signature dish, originated more than 300 years ago. Unfortunately, it is also my least favorite.
Fifth course: agemono (揚げ物), which means fried food in general. In this case, it’s deep-fried tofu and a ball of deep-fried rice cracker or something. A satisfying contrast after all the cold, homogenous blocks.
Sixth course: yuba (湯波) – tofu skin, and kouya tofu (高野豆富) – freeze-dried tofu. Both taste airy and a little sandy.
Seventh course: unsui (雲水)** – a noodle soup, but entangled in the noodle are yuba strips, and the broth is lightly seasoned soy milk. It’s served warm. Extremely satisfying, light but flavorful, full of varieties but harmonious. This soup costs 700 yen by itself. Highly recommended.
Eighth course: soft tofu in a cold broth, shrimp and veggie. On the menu, it’s known as “kisetsu no ippin” (季節の一品), which means “a product of the season”. Also one of my favorites.
Ninth course: uzumi tofu (うずみ豆腐) or also called ochadzuke (お茶漬け) – rice with seasoned tofu in hot broth.
Dessert: tofu ice cream. Can it go wrong? Never.
The 10-course meal, otonashigozen, costs 5000 yen. It is perfect for the hot, wet Tokyo summer. It makes you feel light and clean. It’s a lesson about the aesthetics of simple things. It also teaches you that this comforting life is ephemeral, because moments later, you will exit the restaurant into the pouring rain. Everything is fleeting, including your dry, happy self.
Address: Sasa no Yuki – somewhere near Uguisudani station, Tokyo.
This restaurant is featured everywhere on the internet, you wouldn’t have any problem finding it. Japan Times has an in-depth review about the restaurant (which started in the Edo period!):
“If you really want to know the taste of tofu, put a piece on freshly cooked rice and eat it. Then you can tell,” says Okumura [Sasa no Yuki’s president and tofu master], who usually enjoys tofu with no toppings while drinking wine or beer. “The taste of soy protein is strong enough to blend beautifully with a simple bowl of rice.”
Okumura also observed, it has become a rather luxurious experience these days — because there is so little tofu fit to be eaten this way.
Though so simple in principle — relying merely on high-quality soy beans, good water in which to soak and boil them, and nigari (bittern) to cause coagulation — tofu has now mostly fallen foul of profit-oriented mass production to the point that many people may never have tasted the authentic stuff, Okumura says. “Nowadays, we are one of only a few shops still making tofu in the traditional way.”
A Japanese friend of mine once lamented the exact same thing while eating tofu straight from its plastic-film-covered white plastic minitub, which he bought from a nearby market.
———————————————————————————————-
Guest post by C. from Katsushika.
Foodnote:
(*) Even with a dictionary, Sasa no Yuki’s menu is difficult to read. They use different writings for some of the words, such as 豆富 instead of 豆腐 for tofu, and 湯波 instead of 湯葉 for yuba.
(**) “Unsui” is cloud (un) and water (sui), which also means a wandering monk.
Thank you for every other excellent article. The place else may just anybody get that kind of info in such an ideal approach of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I am on the look for such information.
1I’m really impressed with your writing skills as neatly as with the format for your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it your self? Either way keep up the excellent high quality writing, it’s uncommon to peer a great weblog like this one these days..
2I believe you have noted some very interesting points, appreciate it for the post.
3I really like your writing style, great info, appreciate it for posting :D. “Your central self is totally untouched By grief, confusion, desperation.” by Vernon Howard.
4Great paintings! This is the kind of info that should be shared across the net. Disgrace on the search engines for now not positioning this put up higher! Come on over and visit my site . Thank you =)
5Good day! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this page to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
6You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
7I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this info for my mission.
8After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.
9You actually make it appear really easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really one thing which I feel I’d by no means understand. It seems too complex and extremely extensive for me. I am taking a look ahead on your next post, I’ll try to get the cling of it!
10Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to mention that I’ve really loved browsing your weblog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing in your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
11Very interesting info!Perfect just what I was searching for!
12Some really interesting details you have written.Assisted me a lot, just what I was searching for :D.
13I am no longer positive where you are getting your info, however great topic. I needs to spend a while finding out much more or working out more. Thank you for great info I was looking for this information for my mission.
14Hello, Neat post. There is a problem with your web site in web explorer, may check this?K IE still is the marketplace leader and a big component of other people will pass over your magnificent writing because of this problem.
15Together with everything that appears to be developing throughout this specific area, many of your points of view tend to be relatively radical. Even so, I am sorry, because I do not give credence to your entire plan, all be it radical none the less. It seems to everyone that your commentary are not entirely rationalized and in simple fact you are generally yourself not entirely certain of the argument. In any event I did take pleasure in reading it.
16I used to be very happy to seek out this net-site.I wished to thanks on your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely having fun with each little little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
17I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I’m hoping the same high-grade site post from you in the upcoming as well. Actually your creative writing skills has encouraged me to get my own web site now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.
18Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! However, how could we communicate?
19Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your design. Many thanks
20Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog. A great read. I’ll definitely be back.
21Wonderful web site. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks for your sweat!
22What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely useful and it has helped me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & help other customers like its helped me. Great job.
23I went over this website and I believe you have a lot of good information, saved to my bookmarks (:.
24With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My blog has a lot of unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any methods to help reduce content from being ripped off? I’d really appreciate it.
25Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your web site is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched all over the place and just could not come across. What an ideal web-site.
26You could definitely see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
27I found your blog website on google and examine just a few of your early posts. Proceed to maintain up the excellent operate. I just further up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Looking for forward to reading more from you in a while!…
28It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or suggestions. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read even more things about it!
29Magnificent website. Lots of helpful info here. I am sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks in your effort!
30I consider something really special in this web site.
31Hi would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m having a hard time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
32Good blog! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day!
33You are my breathing in, I possess few web logs and very sporadically run out from post :). “He who controls the past commands the future. He who commands the future conquers the past.” by George Orwell.
34Hi there, You’ve done an incredible job. I will certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this website.
35Just want to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness to your submit is just nice and that i could suppose you are a professional in this subject. Fine along with your permission allow me to grasp your feed to keep updated with coming near near post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.
36Your style is so unique compared to many other people. Thank you for publishing when you have the opportunity,Guess I will just make this bookmarked.
37It’s really a great and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
38I am so happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that is at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc.
39I like this web blog very much so much wonderful info .
40The heart of your writing while sounding reasonable originally, did not really work well with me after some time. Somewhere within the sentences you were able to make me a believer unfortunately only for a while. I however have got a problem with your leaps in assumptions and you would do nicely to help fill in all those breaks. In the event that you actually can accomplish that, I would certainly be impressed.
41Hi there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!
42I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.
43You have observed very interesting details ! ps nice site.
44Simply wanna comment on few general things, The website pattern is perfect, the subject material is rattling great. “Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.” by Andre Gide.
45Very interesting topic, thankyou for posting. “The rest is silence.” by William Shakespeare.
46This blog is definitely rather handy since I’m at the moment creating an internet floral website – although I am only starting out therefore it’s really fairly small, nothing like this site. Can link to a few of the posts here as they are quite. Thanks much. Zoey Olsen
47hi!,I really like your writing so much! share we be in contact more about your post on AOL? I need a specialist on this area to solve my problem. May be that’s you! Having a look ahead to peer you.
48Perfect work you have done, this internet site is really cool with great information.
49Hey there, You have performed an excellent job. I’ll certainly digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends. I am sure they’ll be benefited from this site.
50