Journeys in photographs and words.
Carrying a glass bowl of yushidofu
Carrying a glass bowl of yushidofu

Okinawan tofu is sold warm, and because it holds together it is prized for stir-fries. Yushidofu is the stage before the tofu goes into the mold: soy milk that has just begun to set after the bittern is added. It is served in a bowl with its liquid. In the everyday cooking of Okinawa, which leans on bonito and pork stock, tofu is a daily staple.

Sources: maff.go.jp

This moment in the journey

Okinawa soba yakisoba and bonito sashimi

Time to cook dinner. Okinawa soba noodles, soft and chewy, would surely be delicious stir-fried. Cabbage, bean sprouts, carrot and thin slices of meat went into the pan over the gas flame. I added the noodles and seasoned them with Okinawa soba soup.

On the table: a can of Orion's non-alcoholic beer and a plate of fried noodles. And bright red bonito sashimi, glistening, served with shredded daikon and cucumber, soy sauce and wasabi. Fresh and chewy, really good.

In a glass bowl, yushidofu, eaten together with its broth. I topped the noodles with shaved bonito flakes. The flavor of bonito clung to the thick noodles. Ippee maasan: so delicious.

Watch this scene on YouTube3:51

Read this scene in the full journey

Cabbage, bean sprouts and sliced meat frying in the pan
Cabbage, bean sprouts and sliced meat frying in the pan
Stirring the pan over the gas flame with a wooden spatula
Stirring the pan over the gas flame with a wooden spatula
Tossing the noodles in with the vegetables
Tossing the noodles in with the vegetables
A can of non-alcoholic beer, a glass and a plate of fried noodles
A can of non-alcoholic beer, a glass and a plate of fried noodles
Bright red bonito sashimi on shredded daikon
Bright red bonito sashimi on shredded daikon
At the table with fried noodles and a can
At the table with fried noodles and a can
The plates of fried noodles and sashimi on the table
The plates of fried noodles and sashimi on the table
Eating the fried noodles topped with bonito flakes
Eating the fried noodles topped with bonito flakes