Introducing delicious tofu and tofu dishes from Morioka, the "City of Tofu"! [Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture]

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' household expenditure survey, Morioka City ranks first or second nationwide in "expenditure on tofu purchases," earning it the nickname "the city of tofu."

In 2024, the average annual tofu expenditure per household in Morioka was 7,156 yen, making it the second-highest spending category in Japan for the fifth consecutive year since 2020. (Incidentally, the highest spending category is in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture.)

This article introduces delicious tofu sold in Morioka, a city known for its many tofu lovers, and restaurants where you can enjoy tofu dishes made with it

Please note that all prices mentioned in this article are inclusive of tax and are as of mid-February 2026

Why do Morioka residents love tofu so much?

It is said that the culture of eating tofu took root in Morioka because, in the past, tofu makers were invited from Edo and Kyoto to make delicious tofu

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Natayacho, Morioka City: A town of water that keeps time ticking away - A life woven with spring water [Iwate Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/43688

Nataya-cho, located close to the city center of Morioka, is an area where a tranquility reminiscent of the modern hustle and bustle prevails. Just one street away from the main roads, the quality of the air suddenly changes. If you experience this feeling, it may be a sign that you are beginning to experience the charm of Nataya-cho. "Tototo - Morioka's Gathering Place to Stay -" is a guesthouse renovated from a sake brewery in Nataya-cho, which once flourished as a vital hub for river transport. This town, once a vital part of the Kitakami River's river transport network, thrived as a stage for the lives of merchants and craftsmen, and its remnants are still strongly evident today. Traditional townhouses built during the Meiji era line the streets...

read more

Morioka still has an abundance of clean, delicious groundwater gushing out in various parts of the city, making it an ideal location for tofu making, which is said to be 80-90% water

Morioka's delicious water also produces delicious sake, and in the past, in addition to tofu shops, there were many sake breweries in the city

Is it true that Morioka is the birthplace of soft tofu (oboro tofu)?

Many people claim that Morioka is the birthplace of yose-dofu (a type of soft tofu), but it is said that there is no concrete evidence to support this

However, it's true that the soft tofu served in Morioka is very delicious

Unlike firm tofu, which is solidified into a box shape, soft tofu is made by eating soy milk solidified with nigari (magnesium chloride), allowing you to enjoy the natural umami and sweetness of soybeans

Recommended handmade tofu shops and tofu restaurants in Morioka City

In 1950, Morioka had a population of about 100,000, but there were nearly 120 tofu shops within the city alone

After that, tofu became readily available in supermarkets and other stores, leading to a series of closures of tofu shops in the city, and eventually, there were no longer any individual tofu shops making tofu in Morioka City

Even amidst all this, delicious tofu is produced in Morioka and the surrounding areas, and there are restaurants where you can enjoy tofu dishes made with that tofu

Mame Kobo Midori no Sato (Kami-Ioka, Morioka City)

This is the first privately run rehabilitation facility in Iwate Prefecture for people with intellectual disabilities, where they produce soybeans using low-pesticide methods and make handmade tofu

The soy milk here is very rich, and the soft tofu (220 yen) made with it is exquisite, with a strong umami and sweetness from the soybeans

The firm tofu (165 yen) also has a prominent soybean flavor, making you truly appreciate that tofu is made from soybeans

Furthermore, the triangular fried tofu, thick fried tofu, and ganmodoki (fried tofu patties) made from this tofu are also delicious, and the homemade miso brewed on-site is also very popular

The tofu and other products made at this facility are sold not only at the on-site store, but also at supermarkets and direct-sale stores in Morioka City

Delicious whether grilled or boiled! Triangular fried tofu, thick fried tofu, and ganmodoki (fried tofu patties)

The triangular fried tofu is delicious because the tofu itself is tasty, so even just frying it in a pan without oil until the outside is crispy is enough to make it delicious. When added to nabeyaki udon, its thickness allows it to absorb the broth well, making it very tasty

The ganmodoki (fried tofu patties) were simmered in broth, and they were also delicious

Incredibly creamy! Tofu cheesecake (170 yen)

The moment you put it in your mouth, you'll taste the rich flavor of cheesecake, but a subtle hint of soy milk lingers in the aftertaste. It's a truly exceptional treat that you absolutely must try

Mame Kobo Midori no Sato <Information>

Store Name: Iwate Koseikai Social Welfare Corporation Mame Kobo Midori no Sato Direct Sales Outlet
Address: 2-52-1 Kami-Ioka, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
Phone Number: 019-637-3515
Business Hours: 9:00 - 16:30
Closed: Not specified
URL: Mame Kobo Midori no Sato Official Website

Google Map

Dengaku Chaya (Main store: Sugo, Takizawa City; Morioka store: Uchimaru, Morioka City)

Using the same methods as when the company was founded, we make firm tofu (170 yen) with a sweet taste, high density, and low moisture content, using domestically produced soybeans, groundwater from the foot of Mount Iwate, and real bittern

The main store is located near Takizawa Wakare in Sugo, Takizawa City, where tofu, processed foods, and prepared dishes are made. However, they can also be purchased at the Morioka store in Uchinaru, Morioka City

With over 20 kinds of homemade side dishes, and no added sugar or other sweeteners or preservatives, both shops attract many regular customers seeking simple, home-style flavors

All of the takeout side dishes and sweets use ingredients like tofu and okara (soy pulp), so I bought the following four items at the Morioka store

• Tofu and green onion miso meatballs (330 yen) : Crispy on the outside from being fried, and juicy on the inside, like chicken meatballs.
• Natto Croquette (280 yen) : Thin fried tofu filled with seasoned natto, crispy coating and very satisfying.
• Cheese-fried tofu (330 yen) : Deep-fried style with a cheese-filled batter, the acidity of the sauce brings out the sweetness of the tofu.
• Okara Scones (260 yen) : They are dense and have a savory okara (soy pulp) flavor in the aftertaste. Both the brown sugar syrup flavor and the chocolate chip flavor are delicious.

At Dengaku Chaya, I want to enjoy freshly made tofu dishes!

Both the main store and the Morioka store offer tofu dishes as part of their lunch menu

The main branch offers around 13 different set meals, and it's popular because you can enjoy delicious dishes made with freshly prepared tofu

The Morioka branch also offers about six different set meals, and it gets packed with customers during lunchtime

This time, at the main branch, I had the "Vegetable Rice with Dengaku Set Meal" and the "Fresh Yuba Sashimi Set Meal."

Both set meals come with lightly pickled vegetables and an okara salad (soy pulp salad) that's like potato salad with mustard mayonnaise. The okara salad, in particular, is so delicious you'll want more

Vegetable rice and dengaku set meal (850 yen)

The two large tofu dengaku skewers are generously coated with garlic miso and sansho pepper miso, and it's hard to say which is better

The "nameshi" (rice mixed with chopped vegetables) has a subtle flavor and pairs well with dengaku (grilled tofu with miso glaze)

Fresh Yuba Sashimi Set Meal (1,100 yen)

The "raw yuba sashimi" served with ginger soy sauce is incredibly delicious, with a strong, prominent sweetness. The soft tofu is just as sweet as the yuba, and you could eat it endlessly

Dengaku Chaya Main Store <Information>

• Store name: Dengaku Chaya Main Store
• Location: 180-2 Sugo, Takizawa City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-688-4409
• Opening hours: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM (Last order 2:00 PM, Takeout available from 7:00 AM)
• Closed days: Not specified (Takeout only on Thursdays until March 2026)
• URL: Dengaku Chaya Official Website

Google Map

Dengaku Chaya Morioka Store

• Store name: Dengaku Chaya Morioka Store
• Address: 6-2 Uchimaru, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-681-6086
• Business hours (takeout): Monday-Friday 11:00-18:30, Saturday 11:00-16:00
• Opening hours (lunch): Monday-Friday 11:30-15:00, Saturday 12:00-14:00
• Closed on: Sundays, public holidays, and during the New Year period
• URL: Dengaku Chaya Official Website

Google Map

Otofu-tei (3-chome, Honcho-dori, Morioka City)

This is a flagship store opened in 2012 by Hirayasu Shoten, a company that manufactures tofu and konjac

Heian Shoten was founded in 1901 (Meiji 34), with its headquarters in Morioka City, and currently produces tofu using 100% soybeans from Iwate Prefecture at its factory in Hanamaki City

This time I bought silken tofu (120 yen) to take home and ate it as chilled tofu

The silken tofu also had a nice sweetness from the soybeans, and it was delicious even as chilled tofu, but its smooth texture makes it best suited for boiled tofu

This restaurant used to offer a limited number of lunches, but unfortunately, they have stopped serving lunch

Additionally, there are daily specials such as 20% off soft tofu on Tuesdays and buy five donuts and get one free on Thursdays

Delicious soft tofu as expected!

The soft tofu (325 yen) had a strong soybean flavor and sweetness that was just as good as, if not better than, what you'd find at other shops, and it was delicious even without soy sauce or any other condiments

Also, they sell soy milk with nigari (magnesium chloride) already added, so you can make soft tofu at home in your microwave. I'd like to try making freshly made soft tofu next time

Fried roll (200 yen)

The outer layer of fried tofu is simmered thoroughly in a sweet broth, and the inside is filled with seasoned burdock root, carrots, and konjac noodles, all tied together with dried gourd strips

Okara croquette (170 yen)

The outside is lightly drizzled with soy sauce, and the balance between the lightly seasoned okara and potato is good, so you can eat it as is

Okara donut (120 yen)

It has a fluffy texture with a okara (soy pulp) flavor and a light sweetness, so you could eat several of them

I bought it the day before Valentine's Day, so the dough had chocolate and banana mixed in, which is why the donut in the picture is a light chocolate color

Otofu-tei <Information>

• Store name: Otofu-tei
• Location: 3-18-48 Honcho-dori, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-626-8046
• Business hours: 11:00-16:00
• Closed on: Saturdays and Sundays

Google Map

summary

Morioka is known for its large consumption of tofu, but it's truly regrettable that there are no longer any traditional, handmade tofu shops left in the city

Nevertheless, since you can still buy the homemade tofu I mentioned at supermarkets and direct-from-the-farm stores, Morioka City will likely remain one of the top cities for tofu consumption for some time to come

DaiwaConsilio

I'm a former Edokko man who loves Morioka and the six Tohoku prefectures, and I also love history, food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing.
I'll be introducing you to the interesting, delicious, and great things about Tohoku!