Receta [TOKYO] Day 14: Fresh Handmade Soba & Peanut Tofu at Tofuro
Dear Food Diary:
For the past 2 weeks I’ve been walking by Tofuro daily. Greeted by the sight of a friendly face making fresh handmade soba.
Our friends have a chatty toddler and baby, so we needed ample seating and space. This was the perfect setting and opportunity to finally check it out. Freshly made soba, tofu and a whole menu of choices, from sashimi to grilled fish. Fried chicken and rice bowls. There was something for everyone.
Traditional Japanese decor. Warm and friendly. With so many little joints we’ve been squeezing into just for a bite, it was nice to be able to stretch out and sit comfortably. English menu with photos (totally appreciate it).
Fresh Handmade Soba:
After watching that, of course I had to order soba. I vote for cold soba all the way.
Cold Soba with Maitake Mushroom Tempura
Beautifully simple and great for summer. Part healthy, part naughty, awesome pairing. Just $8, crazy I know!
The soba is 100% buckwheat. Perfectly chewy and nutty. A mild savory and sweet soy base with grated daikon and scallions. So fresh.
The whole blossom of maitake tempura seems so lavish in New York standards, maitake mushrooms aren’t cheap. But in Japan these are fairly inexpensive.
So fragrant. I think this would compare to a bouquet of flowers. Some days, I would prefer it. And yes, anything fried does taste better. It’s so crunchy and aromatic. This has become one of my favorite tempura ingredients.
Peanut Tofu
Had a sweet finish. Think peanut custard. This is slightly sticky. Like a mochi-jelly-tofu bastard child.
Next time around, we’ll have to try their handmade regular tofu.
Sashimi of Fresh Squid
Sweet and chewy strips of ocean gummy. It’s an acquired texture for sure. I totally love it. Specially with that bright, mint like shiso leaf and a dash of soy and wasabi.
Grilled Sweetfish with Salt
Lots of bones, not much meat and what was there tasted extremely salty. A bit fishy. Not a hit around the table.
Grilled Atka Mackerel
This is one of my favorites at Riki in Midtown East. Here, the fish is very meaty and nicely grilled. Chard around the edges. Evenly seasoned. Even the kids loved it.
Fried Chicken with Garlic Ginger Sauce
Ohhh fantastic *licking fingers*. Asian style KFC at its best. We had ordered these for the kids, but the big kids ended up devouring it all instead. Very soy garlicky with a kick from the ginger.
Tofuro have several locations all over Japan. Food was quite good and fairly priced. A great choice for large groups.
P.S. Chubby’s Rating:www.tofuro.jp
3-37, Kandasakumacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0025
03-3865-0880
(We went to the Akihabara location) Check for other locations