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Agedashi Tofu (揚げ出し豆腐)

Japan

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Agedashi Tofu, fried tofu, Japanese food, Ghibli illustration

Crispy pieces of firm tofu, deep-fried, served in a fragrant dashi‑based sauce with soy sauce, sugar and katsuobushi. The dish is garnished with fresh grated daikon radish and ginger, adding bright texture and aroma.

Ingredients

Steps

  1. Anime illustration of dashi broth preparation, Japanese cuisine, Ghibli style art

    Pour water into a pot, add soy sauce, sugar, and katsuobushi. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, and strain through a colander placed over a kitchen towel to obtain a clear broth.

  2. Anime illustration of Agedashi Tofu preparation, Ghibli-style Japanese cuisine

    Grate the daikon radish and ginger on separate graters, holding them at an angle to preserve the fibers. Place the grated daikon in a colander and let excess moisture drain (do not squeeze).

  3. Anime illustration of tofu preparation step for Japanese cuisine

    Cut the tofu into 4 pieces, obtaining chunks about 4 × 5 cm and approximately 4 cm high. Leave them in a wide, flat colander to drain moisture.

  4. Anime-style illustration of Japanese cuisine: preparing tofu, Ghibli aesthetic

    Heat vegetable oil in a pan to about 180 °C, with a depth of about 4–5 cm. Sprinkle a little flour onto a tray. Pat the tofu pieces dry with a clean towel, then coat each piece in flour and shake off excess.

  5. Anime illustration of Japanese cuisine, tofu preparation, Studio Ghibli style

    Place the coated tofu pieces into the hot oil (one at a time) and fry for about 1 minute until they become lightly golden‑brown.

  6. Agedashi Tofu, Japanese cuisine, anime cooking illustration

    Remove the cooked pieces and place them in a deep plate.

  7. Agedashi Tofu illustration, Studio Ghibli anime style, cooking step

    Top the tofu with grated daikon radish and ginger. Warm the prepared sauce (dashi broth) and drizzle it over the tofu. Serve immediately.

  8. Ghibli-style illustration of Agedashi Tofu serving, Japanese cuisine

    Serve the dish hot.

FAQ

What is Agedashi Tofu (揚げ出し豆腐)?

Agedashi Tofu is a classic Japanese dish featuring lightly fried firm tofu served in a savory dashi-based sauce, often garnished with grated daikon and ginger.

Can I make Agedashi Tofu vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, to make it vegetarian/vegan, substitute katsuobushi (bonito flakes) in the dashi with a kombu (kelp) based dashi or a mushroom broth for a flavorful alternative.

What can I use if I don't have daikon radish?

While daikon adds a unique flavor, you can omit it or use a very finely grated regular radish for a similar textural crunch and slight peppery note.

How do I pronounce 揚げ出し豆腐 and what does it mean?

It's pronounced 'Ah-geh-dah-shee Doh-foo'. 'Agedashi' means 'lightly fried and served in broth', and 'Tofu' is, of course, tofu.

How long does it take to prepare Agedashi Tofu?

This recipe for Agedashi Tofu takes approximately 27 minutes to prepare from start to finish, including frying and sauce preparation.