豆腐麺 Tōfu men

Tofu Noodles

#74 奇品 Curious

English Interpretation

Use an extruding tool. Press tofu through a wooden frame strung with silk threads. Receive the strands in lukewarm water, making noodle-like tofu. Eat with soy sauce and condiments.

原文 · Original (1782)

突き出しの道具を用ゐるべし。絹糸を張りたる木の枠に豆腐を押し通すべし。ぬるき湯に受けて、麺の如き豆腐を作るべし。醤油と薬味にて食す。

Transliteration

Tsukidashi no dōgu wo mochiiru beshi. Kinuito wo haritaru ki no waku ni tōfu wo oshi-tōsu beshi. Nuruki yu ni ukete, men no gotoki tōfu wo tsukuru beshi. Shōyu to yakumi nite shokusu.

Notes & Annotations

The original text describes a specialized wooden tool called tsukidashi with silk string grids. This is one of the most technically demanding cutting/forming techniques in the book.

English Recipe

Ingredients

  • firm tofu 豆腐 1 block (350 g)
    一丁 Well pressed
  • soy sauce 醤油 to taste
  • condiments 薬味 ginger, scallion, nori

Method

Serves 2

1. Press firm tofu well. It must be cohesive enough to hold noodle shapes.
2. The traditional method uses a tsukidashi — a wooden frame strung with silk thread. Push the tofu through to create noodle strands. Modern alternative: use a potato ricer or wide-holed sieve.
3. Receive the tofu noodles into a bowl of lukewarm water to set their shape.
4. Drain gently.
5. Serve in bowls with soy sauce and condiments: grated ginger, sliced scallion, shredded nori.

One of the most technically demanding preparations in the book. The silk-string tool (tsukidashi) was a specialised device — the original notes it as a key piece of tofu kitchen equipment.