Tofu
A white food made from soybeans. There’s firm “momen” tofu and smooth “kinugoshi” (silken) tofu.
👀 At a glance
🧱
Firm (momen)
Holds its shape. For stir-fries, simmering, frying
☁️
Silken (kinugoshi)
Smooth. For chilled tofu, soups, mapo tofu
🔪 Prep (draining)
Wrap it in paper towels and let it sit to draw out water. For stir-fries and pan-frying, draining keeps it from getting watery or falling apart.
📊 Nutrition (per 100 g)
73kcal (firm)
7.0 gProtein (firm)
56kcal (silken)
5.3 gProtein (silken)
Figures from the food composition tables[1]
🔁 If you don’t have it
You can swap firm and silken. For stir-frying or pan-frying, firm holds together better.
⚠️ Be careful
- If you have a soy allergy, don’t eat it
- When eating it uncooked (like chilled tofu), use tofu within its date and keep it cold
🧊 Storage
Keep it in the fridge. Leftovers go in water in the fridge; eat them soon.
Recipes with this ingredient
Agedashi Tofu (Crispy Fried Tofu in Broth)
About 35 minServes 2
Chanko Nabe (Chicken Meatball Hot Pot, Soy Sauce Broth)
About 40 minServes 3–4
Soy Meat Soboro Rice Bowl (Two-Color, with Tofu Crumbles)
About 25 minServes 2
Goya Champuru (Okinawan Bitter Melon Stir-Fry)
About 30 minServes 2
Hiyajiru (Cold Miso Soup over Rice)
About 30 minServes 2
Hiyayakko (Chilled Tofu with Toppings)
About 15 minServes 2
Iri Dofu (Scrambled Tofu with Vegetables)
About 25 minServes 2–3
Ishikari Nabe (Salmon and Miso Hot Pot)
About 45 minServes 3–4
Kenchinjiru (Vegetable and Tofu Soup)
About 35 minServes 3
Kimchi Hot Pot
About 30 minServes 2–3
Koya Dofu no Fukumeni (Simmered Freeze-Dried Tofu)
About 40 minServes 2
Koya-dofu Karaage (Crispy Fried Freeze-Dried Tofu)
About 25 minServes 2
See 20 more recipes
Mapo Tofu
About 25 minServes 2–3
Miso Soup with Tofu and Wakame
About 15 minServes 2
Mizutaki (Japanese Chicken Hot Pot)
About 50 minServes 3–4
Motsunabe (Beef Offal Hot Pot)
About 35 minServes 2–3
Nameko Mushroom and Tofu Miso Soup
About 10 minServes 3
Niku Dofu (Simmered Beef and Tofu)
About 30 minServes 2
Suanlatang (Hot and Sour Soup)
About 20 minServes 2
Pork Shabu-Shabu (Sesame Sauce and Ponzu)
About 30 minServes 2–3
Shiraae (Spinach and Carrot with Tofu Dressing)
About 30 minServes 2–3
Sukiyaki
About 40 minServes 2–3
Kansai-Style Sukiyaki
About 35 minServes 2–3
Sundubu Jjigae (Korean Soft Tofu Stew)
About 20 minServes 2
Tara Chiri (Cod Hot Pot)
About 50 minServes 2–3
Tofu Hamburg Steak with Mushroom Sauce
About 35 minServes 2
Tofu Salad with Japanese Dressing
About 20 minServes 2
Tofu Steak
About 25 minServes 2
Soy Milk Hot Pot
About 30 minServes 2–3
Vegan Mapo Tofu (Soy Meat and Shiitake)
About 30 minServes 2
Yosenabe (Japanese Hot Pot)
About 40 minServes 3–4
Yudofu (Simmered Tofu)
About 40 minServes 2
Sources(1)
Checked on 2026-10-07.