Japan’s Unique Yuba Tofu Delicacies

Japan is a tofu lover’s paradise, with an incredible array of tofu varieties that seem limitless.

In Japanese supermarkets, the tofu aisle stretches as impressively as the chocolate aisle in Switzerland or the pasta aisle in Italy, offering an abundance of options to explore.

Of all the tofu varieties I’ve sampled, Yuba is probably my favorite. As soy milk boils in an open, shallow pan, a delicate film or skin forms on the surface. This film is carefully collected and dried into yellowish sheets, known as tofu skin or Yuba. I absolutely love it!

Today, we’re visiting Nikko, a historically significant destination just north of Tokyo, and a true Yuba paradise. Nestled within this paradise is a small, unconventional restaurant that takes a modern approach to Yuba. The place is called Nikko Yuba Zen, and what a delightful experience it was!