Long before Iron Chef aired its tofu-themed battle, Sasanoyuki had already been serving tofu-based meals for a few hundred years (open since 1691).  While the Iron Chefs and challengers typically create 4 or 5 dishes based on the theme ingredient, this restaurant delivers at least 9, that’s right 9, dishes where tofu is the star.  While it may be hard to imagine how this humble curd could be served up in so many ways without patrons leaving in bland disgust, our meal here really opened my eyes to the possibilities of tofu-based cooking beyond just adding it to soup.  Second to the all-beef based meal at Sutamina-En, the lunch at Sasanoyuki was my other favorite of the trip.

For a restaurant that has been around for so long, and occupies a relatively large plot of land, the prices are quite reasonable.  In fact, we went with our Japanese friend Y and spent just under 9000 Y for three basic kaiseki meals.  There are two slightly pricier kaiseki options, but the basic choice is already quite filling and tasty.  Unfortunately, the dish names were all written out in Japanese, so I can’t tell you exactly what we ate, but some highlights included a sesame tofu, plain chilled tofu, a chawanmushi made from tofu broth, and a chazuke with dried tofu that was oh so oishii…  And of course we ended with a tofu ice cream.

There was one dish, that I’ll just call “the twins” that has a neat backstory to why it’s the only dish in the meal that you get two portions.  It’s a very tasty dish, and a well-respected Shinto priest thought so as well, so he asked for a second serving.  At the end of the meal, he suggested that the restaurant always serve two portions of this dish, and they have done so for the past few hundred years…

Sasanoyuki should be a must-visit for any food lover given its unique offerings.  Even if you’re not a big tofu fan (like myself), I’m sure you’ll leave pleasantly satisfied.

More photos from Sasanoyuki.

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Sasanoyuki
〒110-0003 東京都台東区根岸２丁目１５−１０
+81 3-3873-1145