Prefecture: Nagasaki
Producer: Houmoto Sesame Tofu
Ingredients: Sesame tofu (washed sesame seeds (Japan), starch, sugar, salt) (contains sesame seeds), kuromitsu (brown sugar, malt starch syrup, honey, sugar), soybean flour (soybeans, sugar, sesame oil, salt) (contains soybeans and sesame)
Dairy-free, Gluten-free
Size: 100g, mistu 10g, kinako 5g
 

An integral part of shoujin ryori, the mostly vegan cuisine of Japanese Buddhist monks, goma dofu (sesame tofu) is made from ground sesame seeds rather than the typical soybeans. Houmoto Sesame Tofu’s conveniently packaged mochi mochi sesame tofu comes with all the makings of a quick and easy sweet treat. The nuttiness of the white sesame seeds, which make Nagasaki’s goma dofu unique, is amplified by the company’s in-house roasting method and complemented by the roasted nut notes of the kinako (soybean flour). A drizzle of the provided kuromitsu (a sugar syrup similar to molasses) adds just the right amount of sweetness!

Sesame tofu is a long-established specialty of Nagasaki dating back to the arrival of Zen Buddhist masters to Kofukuji Temple in 1654. The locals quickly adopted the sesame tofu and it remains a fan favorite today. For 72 years and 3 generations, the Houmoto Sesame Tofu Company has worked hard to preserve traditional methods and authentic flavors. While many producers no longer process their white sesame seeds in-house Houmoto continues to use a generations-old roasting method, ensuring a pleasant roasted taste and no need to add artificial coloring. While sales were once limited to local morning markets, they have since expanded nationwide and abroad.