Tofu Chikuwa ｜ Our Regional Cuisines

Tottori Prefecture

Tofu Chikuwa

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Main lore areas

Central region, Eastern region
Main ingredients used

Tofu, fish paste

History/origin/related events

Generally speaking, a chikuwa fish paste tube is usually made of fish meat, but “tofu chikuwa” is a unique processed food found in the central and eastern regions of Tottori Prefecture made by mixing firm tofu and white fish paste in a ratio of about 07時03分, then steaming it. The taste is very delicate, and when you chew it, you can smell the soft tofu.
The development of fishing ports was slow in the Edo period, so fish was a precious food and was not eaten by the common people. Therefore, the theory is that it started when Mitsunaka Ikeda, the lord of the Tottori Domain, issued an order to “eat tofu instead of fish.” Tofu was encouraged because it supplemented protein, so the people thought, “can’t we create a new dish with tofu?”' and came up with “tofu chikuwa,” which uses tofu instead of fish meat. In Tottori Prefecture, which has many mountain villages, soybeans were grown even on the ridges of rice fields, and tofu was consumed in large quantities.
Opportunities and times of eating habits

“Tofu chikuwa” was eaten on a daily basis, but for a long time has also been eaten on “celebration days” such as festivals and weddings at the “Hijiri Shrine” in the heart of Tottori City, which has prospered as a castle town since ancient times. Today, it continues to be loved as a souvenir.
How to eat

Firm tofu and minced fish meat paste are mixed and steamed. If you dip it in ginger soy sauce, it’ll be the best accompaniment to sake. It's even more delicious when you bake it in a toaster oven and eat it when it’s puffy. There are also seasoned tofu chikuwa products such as curry flavor and lemon flavor, and processed foods such as dumplings made with tofu chikuwa.
Efforts for Preservation and Succession

In 2002, the “World Tofu Chikuwa Conference” was held during the 17th National Cultural Festival in Tottori City. Taking advantage of that, volunteers in the eastern part of Tottori Prefecture rose up and started to spread the appeal of tofu chikuwa to the whole country. It has now become a local specialty, and has grown into one of the representative dishes of the region that has even competed in the B1 Grand Prix.

Contact

Food Cultures Office, Overseas Market Development and Food Cultures Division, Food Industry Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Tel:+81-3-3502-5516

Tofu Chikuwa ｜ Our Regional Cuisines

Tottori Prefecture

Tofu Chikuwa

Main lore areas

Main ingredients used

History/origin/related events

Opportunities and times of eating habits

How to eat

Efforts for Preservation and Succession