When I was at Nikko, the locals told me that Yuba is the local cuisine to eat in the area.
Yuba is made from boiled soymilk and the thick residue that is built when the yuba is boiled is skimmed off.
While Yuba is known for being a Kansai delicacy, it’s popular in the region because with the beautiful shrines and temples, monks and priests who followed strict vegetarian diets, ate yuba.
It is comparable to tofu and local restaurants have their own spin when it comes to yuba.
The restaurant that I went to is right next to historical landmarks, a statue and a rock (which I will discuss in my next post). And it’s called Asaya (or Asaya Resthouse). The establishment offers a restaurant (on the second floor) is tied to a souvenir store on the first floor.
Going through the menu, as there are many wonderful dishes, I wanted straight-up Yuba and went for their Yuba Bento Set for Y1680.
While waiting, I can say that the place was typical Japanese family restaurant, really good customer service and a clean establishment.
The Yuba Bentou set came with your rice and soup (Yubasui) with shredded yuba, a delicious rolled up dish (bottom left) with daikon and carrot, fried versions of yuba (bottom right) shumai with pork and vegetable, then there is Yuba Tsutsumiage that resembles an egg roll but made with yuba wrapped ground fish and deep fried layers of yuba (agemakiyubani)on a skewer with edamame.
Top left was a thin layer strips of yuba (Nama Yubasashimi) with something pickled (with a pit) and on the top right, a mix of different things, such as Japanese pickles and something with delicious shredded meat, not sure if it’s yuba but it was delicious.
Overall, I felt it was great to try varieties of yuba dishes. I know if I return, I’ll have to try Yuba ramen.
But for those who want to try yuba, definitely give this Nikko Asaya Yuba Restaurant a try!
