If you come to Mount Koya, you definitely have to try the shojin ryori staple "sesame tofu"!

• [text_no_translate=Table of Contents]
• What is sesame tofu?
• Enjoy five-color tofu dishes at Kakuhama Sesame Tofu Souhonpo
• Recommended souvenirs
• Conclusion

What is sesame tofu?

"Goma tofu" (sesame tofu), which originated at Mount Koya, is a unique foodstuff made primarily from sesame, which, as the name suggests, sets it apart from regular tofu made from soybeans. Sesame is highly nutritious and was once a highly valued food in China as a medicine.

Sesame tofu is said to have originated as one of the vegetarian dishes eaten during the rigorous training of Shingon Buddhists at Mount Koya, a sacred site founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) around 1,200 years ago.

Because shojin ryori does not use meat, fish or other animal-based ingredients, it tends to be lacking in protein. It is believed that people supplemented their nutrition by eating sesame seeds, which contain high-quality protein, and "sesame tofu" was invented as a way to efficiently ingest the nutrients from sesame.

It looks like soft tofu, but it is actually different from regular tofu made from soybeans. The sesame seeds are not roasted, but are still raw, with the skin removed, and the tofu is made by mixing water from Mt. Koya with Yoshino kudzu, kneading it in a mortar and pestle, and then cooking it.

Source: Edited from "Sesame Tofu Wakayama Prefecture" (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)

Even today, you can enjoy sesame tofu at temple lodges and restaurants that serve vegetarian cuisine. Below are some recommended souvenir and dining options at Mount Koya.

Enjoy five-color tofu dishes at Kakuhama Sesame Tofu Souhonpo

Founded in 1927 at Mount Koya, Kakuhama Sesame Tofu Souhonpo has been supplying products to the temples on the mountain for four generations, while passing on its techniques and traditions. It is an essential spot when visiting Mount Koya.

Kakuhama Sesame Tofu Sohonpo Food and Beverage Department

The sesame tofu at this shop is made with carefully selected white sesame seeds and kuzuko (arrowroot starch) using traditional methods and is characterized by the fragrant flavor of the ground white sesame seeds and the smooth and soft texture of the kuzuko. The rich aroma and natural sweetness of the sesame spreads throughout your mouth, making it an unforgettable taste once you've tried it.

Sesame tofu

It's delicious as is, of course, but you can enjoy a different flavor by eating it with condiments such as wasabi soy sauce, sweet miso sauce, or momiji oroshi (grated radish).

The Odawara store, which opened in 2023, began selling the kaiseki cuisine "Gosai."

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Kaiseki cuisine "Gosai"

The dishes are presented in a wooden box modeled after a chest of drawers and are a menu that allows you to enjoy a variety of flavors by combining the "five tastes" (salty, sweet, bitter, sour, spicy), the "five colors" (green, yellow, red, white, purple) and the "five methods" (boiled, fried, steamed, grilled, raw).

In addition, each store offers a variety of other menu items, such as "Shojin Ramen" made from the original sesame tofu liquid, and "Kakuhama Sesame Tofu Kongo Kaiseki," whose seasoning changes with the seasoning, so you can always enjoy new ways to eat sesame tofu.

Vegetarian ramen

Kakuhama Sesame Tofu Kongo Kaiseki

Matcha Sesame Tofu Zenzai

Kakuhama Sesame Tofu Sohonpo Odawara Store HP

Recommended souvenirs

In addition to the food and drink corner where you can enjoy unique cuisine, don't miss the sales corners in each store where you can purchase souvenir sets.

In addition to the classic sesame tofu, there is also a Baumkuchen filled with plenty of sesame tofu for those who don't like the unique flavor of sesame tofu! With its fragrant aroma of roasted wheat, it is a wonderful souvenir that even those who are not familiar with the flavor of sesame tofu can enjoy. Please give it a try!

K-BAUM

In addition to selling in stores, Kakuhama Sesame Tofu Souhonpo also delivers nationwide through its online shop. We deliver fresh sesame tofu by refrigerated delivery so that people living far away can enjoy the taste of Koyasan. The appeal is that it can be enjoyed at home as a part of authentic vegetarian cuisine.

Sesame tofu products

Product List/Online Store

Conclusion

In this article, we introduced sesame tofu, a representative dish of Mount Koya, and Kakuhama Goma Tofu Souhonpo as a place where you can taste sesame tofu and purchase it as a souvenir.

Kakuhama Goma Tofu Souhonpo is one of the long-established businesses that have supported the sesame tofu culture of Mount Koya for over 100 years. Their carefully crafted sesame tofu preserves the traditional taste while also being a healthy delicacy that is perfect for modern dining tables.

If you visit Mount Koya, be sure to try the sesame tofu.

Photo credit:
1. Wakayama Tourism Federation, a public interest incorporated association
2. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
3. Kakuhama Sesame Tofu Sohonpo