Yudofu (Simmered Tofu in Kombu Dashi)
Silken tofu warmed gently in a dashi pot and dipped in tamari, ginger and spring onion, a calm Kyoto classic.
Made with Dashi stock. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time20 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.59 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix the tamari, lemon juice and 2 tbsp water in four small dipping bowls. Add a little ginger and spring onion to each.
- 2
Pour your ready made dashi (see the base recipe) into a wide shallow pan.
- 3
Bring to a gentle simmer, then lower the tofu in carefully.
- 4
Heat very gently for 5 to 8 minutes, until the tofu is warmed through and just starting to tremble. Do not let the broth boil.
6 min - 5
Lift the tofu out with a slotted spoon into small bowls and spoon over a little hot broth.
- 6
Dip each piece in the sauce and top with bonito flakes if you like.
Tips
- Boil the broth and the silken tofu will break up and turn grainy, so keep it just below a simmer.
- Use good quality tofu, since there is little else in the dish.
- Serve with rice and a simple green vegetable for a full meal.
Storing and freezing
Best straight away. Leftover tofu keeps 1 day in the fridge in the broth, cooled within 1 hour. Reheat gently until steaming hot.
Questions
Can I use firm tofu?
Yes. It holds its shape better but is less silky. Simmer for 5 minutes until hot.
Is yudofu vegetarian?
Not with the bonito based dashi, as it contains fish. Make a kombu only dashi instead to keep it vegetarian and vegan.
More made with dashi stock
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.