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.
Hey there, You’ve performed a great job. I’ll certainly digg it and individually suggest to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this website.
1포항오피를 검색하며 포항 지역 일반 마사지·스파를 알아보는 분들을 위한 안내입니다. 프로그램 선택, 관리 시간과 비용, 시설·위생, 주차, 예약 전 확인사항과 자주 묻는 질문을 정리했습니다.
2Heya i am for the primary time here. I came across this board and I in finding It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to provide something again and aid others such as you helped me.
3Appreciate it for helping out, great information.
4경기도 성남출장마사지 셀럽의 코스와 가격, 자택·호텔 방문 상담, 선입금 없는 예약 및 현장 결제 기준을 확인하세요. 방문 가능 여부와 예상 도착 시간은 주소와
5fantastic submit, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite experts of this sector do not notice this. You should proceed your writing. I’m confident, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
6강남출장마사지 셀럽의 코스와 가격, 예약 방법을 확인하세요. 서울 강남구 역삼동·삼성동·논현동·신사동·압구정동·청담동·대치동·도곡동·개포동·수서동 등 주소별
7경기도 김포출장마사지 셀럽의 코스와 가격, 자택·호텔 방문 상담, 선입금 없는 예약 및 현장 결제 기준을 확인하세요. 방문 가능 여부와 예상 도착 시간은 주소와
8경기도 김포출장마사지 셀럽의 코스와 가격, 자택·호텔 방문 상담, 선입금 없는 예약 및 현장 결제 기준을 확인하세요. 방문 가능 여부와 예상 도착 시간은 주소와
9I would like to thank you for providing this wonderful information. I absolutely love your web page. Many thanks for providing a space for me to comment on your web page. I look forward to more interesting posts from you soon.
10경기도 구리출장마사지 셀럽의 코스와 가격, 자택·호텔 방문 상담, 선입금 없는 예약 및 현장 결제 기준을 확인하세요. 방문 가능 여부와 예상 도착 시간은 주소와
11Very interesting topic, thanks for putting up.
12Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research about this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more from this post. I am very glad to see such wonderful info being shared freely out there.
13부산출장마사지 셀럽의 코스별 가격과 예약 방법을 확인하세요. 해운대·서면·광안리·동래 등 지역별 방문 가능 여부, 예상 도착 시간, 선입금 없는 현장 결제와 자택
14I enjoy your writing style genuinely enjoying this web site.
15Outstanding post, I think website owners should acquire a lot from this web site its real user genial.
16I have fun with, result in I found exactly what I was looking for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
17Its superb as your other blog posts : D, thanks for posting.
18We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be thankful to you.
19I love the efforts you have put in this, thanks for all the great posts.
20Very interesting info !Perfect just what I was looking for! “I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant’s faithful, one hundred percent.” by Dr. Seuss.
21I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was curious what all is required to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100 positive. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
22I used to be recommended this web site by means of my cousin. I am now not positive whether this submit is written through him as no one else recognise such specific approximately my trouble. You’re incredible! Thanks!
23I’m still learning from you, while I’m making my way to the top as well. I definitely liked reading all that is posted on your website.Keep the stories coming. I enjoyed it!
24Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I in finding It truly helpful & it helped me out much. I’m hoping to present something back and aid others such as you helped me.
25You are my inhalation, I possess few blogs and rarely run out from to post : (.
26Wonderful website. Plenty of helpful information here. I am sending it to a few pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you on your sweat!
27익숙한 일상에 새로운 취향을 더하는 여기여. 감각적인 공간과 다채로운 이야기, 오래 기억할 발견을 만나보세요. 나만의 속도로 머물며 당신에게 어울리는 특별한 순간을 찾아갑니다.
28I don’t usually comment but I gotta admit appreciate it for the post on this perfect one :D.
29주소콘에서 필요한 사이트를 분야별로 살펴보세요. 뉴스, 커뮤니티, 영상, 웹툰, 쇼핑, 생활 정보와 온라인 도구를 찾는 방법부터 주소 확인, 즐겨찾기 관리, 접속 오류 해결까지 안내합니다. 목적에 맞는 링크를 고르고 더 편리하게 이용하세요.
30주소콘에서 필요한 사이트를 분야별로 살펴보세요. 뉴스, 커뮤니티, 영상, 웹툰, 쇼핑, 생활 정보와 온라인 도구를 찾는 방법부터 주소 확인, 즐겨찾기 관리, 접속 오류 해결까지 안내합니다. 목적에 맞는 링크를 고르고 더 편리하게 이용하세요.
31I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog, keep it up.
32I think this is one of the so much vital info for me. And i’m satisfied reading your article. But want to statement on some general things, The web site taste is wonderful, the articles is in reality great :D. Just right task, cheers
33Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is great, let alone the content!
34주소콘에서 필요한 웹사이트 주소를 쉽고 빠르게 찾아보세요. 분야별 주소모음과 링크모음, 주소찾기 방법부터 변경된 주소 확인, 안전한 링크 확인 방법까지 한눈에 살펴볼 수 있습니다.
35Enjoyed reading through this, very good stuff, regards. “Love begets love, love knows no rules, this is the same for all.” by Virgil.
36I have not checked in here for a while as I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
37Many thanks for publishing such wonderful information. I truly enjoy your web page. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to comment on your web page. I look forward to additional interesting updates from you in the future.
38I think other website proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and fantastic user genial style and design, as well as the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
39Thank you for another informative web site. The place else could I get that type of info written in such a perfect means? I’ve a project that I am simply now working on, and I have been on the glance out for such information.
40I likewise think so , perfectly pent post! .
41What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It positively useful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid other users like its aided me. Good job.
42Lovely just what I was searching for.Thanks to the author for taking his time on this one.
43Thanks, I have just been looking for info about this topic for a long time and yours is the greatest I have came upon till now. But, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you sure in regards to the supply?
44Perfect work you have done, this site is really cool with excellent info .
45Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve really loved surfing around your weblog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
46I am really enjoying the theme/design of your blog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems? A handful of my blog audience have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any suggestions to help fix this problem?
47I have been surfing on-line more than 3 hours these days, yet I by no means found any fascinating article like yours. It is pretty worth sufficient for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net can be a lot more helpful than ever before.
48I genuinely enjoy looking at on this internet site, it has got great articles. “It is easy to be nice, even to an enemy – from lack of character.” by Dag Hammarskjld.
49I’ll immediately clutch your rss as I can’t to find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please allow me realize so that I may subscribe. Thanks.
50