Tofu: is it a part of your life here in Japan?

ToneToEdo recently wrote a great blog about adapting your cooking to fight the issue of inflation, and I think it's something that a lot of us are probably doing – whether consciously, or unconsciously. One thing we definitely try to do as a family is look at our protein sources and how to get the most bang for our buck there, and often that comes with looking towards plant-based varieties like tofu. It's not something I really ate much of before living in Japan, and truth be told I could certainly be better when it comes to the repertoire of ways I cook with it (mapo tofu does get old after a while), but I appreciate that it's often more cost effective than meat is.

However, even tofu is feeling the pinch when it comes to inflationary pressures, and stand-alone tofu shops in particular. Those have been on the decline significantly since their peak in the 1960s, struggling with modern-day issues like the rising price of soybeans and difficulty finding successors to take over their businesses.

Pic Credit: Sherman Kwan via Unsplash

Typically, when we get tofu I just buy it from the supermarket, but I'm going to do a bit of research to see if there is a specialty tofu store near me. There is one listed in Niigata City, but hopefully I can find one a little closer. It might cost a bit more than the supermarket varieties do, but supporting small businesses that are struggling is also something that's important to me where our budget allows for it!

Is tofu a part of your meal planning? Do you know of any independent tofu stores in your local area?