ふたたび田楽 Futatabi dengaku

Twice-Done Dengaku

#11 尋常品 Commonplace

English Interpretation

Cut tofu into dengaku pieces and thread onto skewers. First grill plain over charcoal. Once colored, coat with miso and grill once more over high heat. Grilling twice deepens the flavor and heightens the aroma.

原文 · Original (1782)

豆腐を田楽に切りて串に刺すべし。初め炭火にて素焼きするべし。色づきたる後、味噌を塗りて、もう一度熱き火にて焼くべし。二度焼くことにて、味は深く香りは高し。

Transliteration

Tōfu wo dengaku ni kirite kushi ni sasu beshi. Hatsuме sumigashira nite suyaki suru beshi. Iro-dzukitaru nochi, miso wo nurite, mō ichido atsuki hi nite yaku beshi. Nido yaku koto nite, aji wa fukaku kaori wa takashi.

Notes & Annotations

Futatabi (再び/ふたたび) means 'once more' or 'again.' The technique of double-grilling is a simple way to intensify flavor.

English Recipe

Ingredients

  • firm tofu 豆腐 1 block (350 g)
    一丁
  • white miso 白味噌 3 tablespoons
  • mirin 味醂 1 teaspoon
  • sugar 砂糖 ½ teaspoon

Method

Serves 2–4

1. Press firm tofu and cut into dengaku pieces about 5 × 3 cm.
2. Thread onto wooden skewers.
3. Grill over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly browned and marked — this is the first grilling.
4. Prepare the dengaku miso: 3 tablespoons white miso, 1 teaspoon mirin, ½ teaspoon sugar. Mix until smooth.
5. Spread the miso coating on one flat face of each piece.
6. Return to the grill (this is the second grilling) and cook miso-side up until the coating bubbles and the surface begins to brown — about 1–2 minutes. Do not let it burn.
7. Serve immediately while the miso is warm and slightly caramelized.

Futatabi ('once more') refers to the technique of double-grilling. The first cooking sets the tofu's structure and develops flavor; the second transforms the miso coating into something richly caramelized and complex.