空蝉豆腐
Utsusemi dōfu
Cicada-Shell Tofu
English Interpretation
Slice tofu thinly and deep-fry in oil. Hollow out the inside, leaving only a thin shell. Like the shed husk of a cicada. Serve with light salt.
原文 · Original (1782)
豆腐を薄く切りて、油にて揚ぐべし。中をくり抜きて空にし、薄き殻のみ残すべし。蝉の抜け殻の如し。薄塩にて供す。
Transliteration
Tōfu wo usuku kirite, abura nite aguru beshi. Naka wo kurinukite kara ni shi, usuki kara nomi nokosu beshi. Semi no nukegara no gotoshi. Usujio nite kyō su.
Notes & Annotations
Utsusemi (空蝉) — the cast-off shell of a cicada — is one of the most resonant images in Japanese literature, symbolizing the transience of life. It appears in The Tale of Genji as a chapter title. The recipe transforms this poetic image into cuisine.
English Recipe
Ingredients
-
firm tofu 豆腐 1 block (350 g)一丁 Sliced very thin
-
vegetable oil 油 for deep-frying
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salt 塩 a light sprinkle
Method
Serves 2–3
1. Slice firm tofu very thin — about 5 mm. Pat extremely dry.
2. Deep-fry at 180 °C until the slices puff and become golden and crisp — about 2–3 minutes.
3. While still warm, carefully scoop or scrape out the soft interior, leaving only the thin, crisp fried shell. Work gently — chopsticks or a small spoon.
4. Serve the hollow shells with a light sprinkling of salt.
Utsusemi — the empty shell of a cicada — is one of Japanese literature's most evocative images, symbolising impermanence and the shedding of worldly form. A chapter of The Tale of Genji bears this name. Here the poetic image becomes edible: a translucent, hollow shell of fried tofu, beautiful and ephemeral.
1. Slice firm tofu very thin — about 5 mm. Pat extremely dry.
2. Deep-fry at 180 °C until the slices puff and become golden and crisp — about 2–3 minutes.
3. While still warm, carefully scoop or scrape out the soft interior, leaving only the thin, crisp fried shell. Work gently — chopsticks or a small spoon.
4. Serve the hollow shells with a light sprinkling of salt.
Utsusemi — the empty shell of a cicada — is one of Japanese literature's most evocative images, symbolising impermanence and the shedding of worldly form. A chapter of The Tale of Genji bears this name. Here the poetic image becomes edible: a translucent, hollow shell of fried tofu, beautiful and ephemeral.