Food · Fermented foods
Tofu (Soybean Curd)
豆腐 (Tōfu)
Also known as: Tōfu, Tofu, Soybean curd, 豆腐, Momen-tofu (firm), Kinugoshi-tofu (silken)
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | 豆腐 |
| Common Japanese notations | 豆腐, とうふ, 木綿豆腐, 絹ごし豆腐 |
| Origin | Soybean curd; foundational Japanese soy product produced from soaked, ground, boiled soybeans coagulated with nigari (magnesium chloride) or other coagulants; principal modern producers Morinaga Tofu (Morinaga & Co.), Otsuka Foods (Otoma — silken-tofu pioneer), Asahimatsu Foods, Sagamiya, regional artisanal producers; major formats: momen-tofu (firm, traditional), kinugoshi-tofu (silken, smooth) |
| Typical functions | Universal Japanese cuisine ingredient — miso soup, hiyayakko, agedashi-dofu, mapo-dofu, sukiyaki, Volume household and foodservice retail, Plant protein and vegan/vegetarian positioning |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **Soybean is JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.** Domestic vs imported soybean origin disclosure essential for premium positioning. Coagulant (nigari, calcium sulfate, GDL) disclosure. |
Tōfu (豆腐) is the foundational Japanese soybean curd product. Major formats include momen-tofu (firm) and kinugoshi-tofu (silken). Major brands: Morinaga, Otsuka Foods, Asahimatsu, Sagamiya. Universal Japanese cuisine ingredient.
Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Momen-tofu retail (firm)
- Kinugoshi-tofu retail (silken)
- Premium specialty tofu (charcoal-aged, organic, regional)
What it is
Soybean curd produced by coagulating soy milk with nigari or other coagulants.
Typical uses in Japanese products
Universal Japanese cuisine.
Plant protein retail.
Vegan/vegetarian positioning.
For OEM: tofu production OEM, premium specialty regional retail.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. **Soybean is JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.**
Domestic vs imported soybean origin disclosure for premium.
Coagulant disclosure.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Major established global tofu market. Soy allergen mandatory. |
|---|---|
| USA | Major US tofu market. Soy allergen mandatory. |
| China | Major Chinese tofu (豆腐) tradition. |
| Korea | Major Korean dubu (두부) tradition. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification of producer and soybean origin.
All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
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Sharing similar functions
Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.
From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
References
- Japan Tofu Industry Association — production and classification reference
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.