Takeda deep-fried tofu

Sakai City

Why is deep-fried tofu so delicious?

Known as aburaage in Japanese, deep-fried tofu is first thinly sliced before being deep-fried in oil. It is often found as an ingredient of miso soup, or else fried golden brown and combined with soy sauce and green onions. Deep-fried tofu is eaten all over Japan, but Fukui Prefecture boasts the highest consumption in Japan! Countless varieties of deep-fried tofu are available in supermarkets here. Soy-based foods, including deep-fried tofu, were once considered a precious source of protein in Fukui Prefecture. The Fukui locals have a deep and abiding involvement with soybean foods.

Founded 90 years ago. This high-class deep-fried tofu is the pride of Fukui.

Fukui Prefecture is home to a deep-fried tofu shop that the locals simply love: Taniguchiya, located in Takeda in the Echizen area. Here, the deep-fried tofu differs from the usual aburaage in a couple of ways. First is the thickness and size. The size is extra-large, bigger than the palm of your hand, while the thickness is around 2–3 cm. The square shape is also uncommon. The surface is crispy like a croissant. Each day, the expert chefs here fry around 2000 to 3000 tofu slices, each carefully cooked for about 50 minutes while being turned over again and again.

Best enjoyed steaming hot from the fryer!

Taniguchiya is rigorous about its ingredients: subterranean water from Mount Hakusan, carefully selected soybeans, high-quality oil, and natural nigari salts. This combination together produces the aburaage tofu and it is most delicious right after it’s cooked. In the Taniguchiya restaurant, you can enjoy steaming hot aburaage, fresh from the fryer. One sniff of the aroma, and you’ll understand the Fukui locals’ love of deep-fried tofu. The restaurant also has a direct sales outlet attached, which sells deep-fried tofu as well as Taniguchiya’s own sweets. After dining, why not spend some time looking around in here?

For reference

Address

37-26-1 Kamitakeda, Maruoka-cho, Sakai-shi, Fukui-ken
Telephone

0120-58-2202
Opening Hours

10:30 A.M. to 3 P.M. (from 11 A.M. in winter)
Closed

No regular days of closure
Website

http://www.taniguchiya.co.jp/

Access

Komatsu Airport is a 1-hour flight from Haneda Airport. Fukui Station is about 1 hour by shuttle bus from Komatsu Airport. Eiheiji-guchi Station is 24 minutes from Fukui Station. Taniguchiya is about 15 minutes by taxi from Eiheijii-guchi Station.