8 | LUXlife Magazine Best Traditional Tofu Dining Experience 2025 – Japan A staple ingredient in some of the most popular dishes consumed across Japan, tofu is not only a protein-rich food but also stands as a symbol of purity and simplicity in the country’s culture. With centuries of popularity behind it – popularity which has grown over recent years as a result of it being eaten all over the world as a substitute by those following alternative diets – tofu is clearly a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine. Taking full advantage of this across two locations is Tousuiro Kyoto, one of Kyoto’s leading tofu restaurants chains. Below, we take a closer look at both of these restaurants. Tousuiro Kyoto’s first location is in the Kiyamachi area, right in the heart of Kyoto. The restaurant is based in a traditional house that dates back to the Taishō era of the early 20th century, and it allows diners to sit and enjoy signature dishes just a stone’s throw from the banks of the Kamo River. Not to be out done, its second restaurant is in Gion, located within a 130-year-old merchant house in the centre one of Kyoto’s most popular districts and an area famous for both its geisha culture and traditional architecture. Customers from all over the world are welcome at both of these restaurants as part of their memorable trip to this magnificent Japanese city, and Tousuiro wants nothing more than to serve its patrons great kaiseki (multi-course) food and let them experience the ‘real’ Kyoto through its dishes. Both destinations serve a selection of speciality dishes, with tofu being a key component of them all. The idea is to help people who have previously been hindered by their dietary requirements whilst in Kyoto to find dishes they can have and enjoy. Its Kiyamachi restaurant is famous for its ‘ROKUHARA’ kaiseki, which is both vegetarian and vegan and the most popular offering Tousuiro has. Made up of a number of small, tofu-based dishes, this specialist meal is produced using no meat, fish, eggs, or dairy products, and includes such delicacies as the boiled oboro tofu, which guests even get a second helping of if they wish. A slightly different selection of dishes is then served under the same name at its Gion restaurant, complete with a speciality yudofu (hot tofu). As for where these dishes come from, Kyoto itself has a long history of following Zen culture, with this having lead to a style of cooking, ‘Shojin Ryori’, which produces modest meals made without meat or fish. This has fuelled the emergence of a vegetarian/vegan movement in Kyoto’s cuisine, something Tousuiro has wholeheartedly embraced across both of its premier locations within the city. It hopes more restaurants will do the same and highly encourages nurturing a vegetarian/veganfriendly environment right across Kyoto. “When it comes to vegan kaiseki cuisine in Kyoto, Tousuiro comes to mind.” In pursuing this goal, Tousuiro does much more than just offer tasty dishes that appeal to this group of consumers, it goes the extra mile to communicate with its customers and visitors from overseas by sending them information regarding its menus and restaurants. For example, a few years ago, Tousuiro introduced a gluten-free version of ROKUHARA at its location in Gion. It shared the news with people from around the world who had previously dined at its restaurants, raising awareness of this new release. This item was a resounding success almost immediately and was even celebrated with an award this year. Excitingly, another Tousuiro new release is planned for 2026, a unique vegetarian/vegan kaiseki course named ‘Koudaiji’. This set of dishes is built on the tremendous quality these locations are known for, whilst reflecting a desire to continue pushing the boundaries when it comes to the aforementioned Shojin Ryori tradition. All of this is part of the restaurant chain continuing down the path of catering to a host of dietary requirements and preferences, making a trip to Kyoto a more welcoming and worry-free experience for everyone. Recognised as the both Best Traditional Tofu Dining Experience 2025 – Japan in our Global Vegan Awards 2025, the work Tousuiro Kyoto is doing is not only helping diversify menus across its namesake city, it is also ushering in a new age for vegetarian/vegan kaiseki across Japan. More on its locations and its full menus can be found at the link below. Contact: Shigenobu Nakai Company: Tousuiro Kyoto Web Address: https://tousuiro.com/en-home
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