I am a tofu lover. Since her first visit to Kyoto and trying the “Junsei Okabe House” tofu hot pot at Kiyomizu Temple, she has always thought that she loves Kyoto tofu. However, with more and more experiences at Kyoto tofu restaurants, she gradually realized one fact: maybe she just likes Junsei’s “tofu skin hot pot”…
Today, Piaor visited the Nanzenji Temple in Kyoto and tasted the “Sohonten Yudofu Okutan”. Founded in the Edo period in 1635, Okutan has a history of more than 370 years and is undoubtedly the oldest and most famous tofu restaurant in Kyoto.
【Transportation】How to get to Oudannan Zen Temple Store
- Address: 86-30 Fukuchicho, Nanzenji, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
- Business hours: 11:00~16:00 (extended to 16:30 on weekends and holidays, closed on Thursdays)
- Price: Starting from 3,000 yen
- Transportation: 8-minute walk from the city bus stop “Nanzenji Eikando-michi”
- Official website
Just like Junsei Restaurant, Oudan has branches in both Kiyomizu-dera and Nanzen-ji temples in Kyoto. As they serve vegetarian cuisine, they are located near Buddhist temples. The Nanzen-ji branch is conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from the mountain gate inside the temple, making it easy for monks to come and dine.
Attractions to visit: Must-see three scenic spots and Abbot’s Garden at Nanzenji Temple, Eikando Zenrinji Temple, a famous spot in Kyoto
On the eve of cherry blossom season, we were lucky enough to not have to wait in line for lunch when we entered at noon. It turned out we were an hour early. After we finished our meal, there was a long line outside. During the wait, we saw a reminder from the restaurant that cash payment is required for the bill, credit cards are not accepted.
Aodannan Zen Temple Store Japanese Garden Scenery
The environment of the Odanan Zen Temple restaurant is quite peaceful, far from the hustle and bustle of Kiyomizu Temple. Before entering the restaurant, you can enjoy the elegant scenery of the garden along the way.
The clerk, dressed in Japanese clothing and wearing wooden clogs, led us into the entrance of the Japanese-style wooden room with a calm and unhurried pace. The entrance looked full of ancient charm.
Soon, like most of the guests, we knelt on the tatami mats. However, this posture was quite uncomfortable after a while, so we quickly changed to cross-legged, which was more comfortable.
Although the restaurant was full, the seats were far apart from each other. Looking at the Zen garden outside the window, I felt a sense of peace in my heart.
Tofu Soup Set (Yudofu Ittoori)
When we dined at the Odannan Zen Temple store, there was only one meal option, the “Tofu Set Meal (ゆどうふ一通り)“. Later, other set meal options were added. In addition to the main dish of tofu soup, the Tofu Set Meal also includes various tofu dishes prepared with cooking techniques such as yam paste, sesame tofu, tempura, and so on.
Among all the tofu dishes at Odan, the one that Piao Er likes the most is this “Sesame Tofu (胡麻どうふ)”. The rich sesame flavor and smooth texture are delicious without being overly seasoned.
▼ Crispy Vegetable Tempura
▼ Tofu Soup
Kyoto, famous for its tofu hot pot, is all about tasting the original flavor of tofu. The Ohtan soup tofu made from domestically produced soybeans has a strong soybean flavor and a very light taste. Adding scallions and sauce can slightly enhance the flavor. Although I tried my best to savor it, as an AI language model, I am not too accustomed to such pure and simple Japanese tofu dishes.
▼ The only dish in the entire set with a stronger flavor, grilled tofu
The cuisine sold by Odan Tofu is “Shojin Ryori (しょうじんりょうり)”, which is a vegetarian meal in Japanese Buddhism, meant for monks to eat! For non-vegetarian foodies, this meal may be too bland and unappetizing. As someone who loves tofu dishes, I still think that the menu at Junsei Tofu is more diverse, with options like shrimp. However, those who follow a vegetarian diet may still want to give Odan Tofu a try.
Recommended Kyoto Tofu Restaurants: Junsei Restaurant at Kiyomizu Temple, Saga Tofu Ine in Arashiyama