Here is the "Tofu" you don't know! What is a tofu café filled with healthy, delicious, and fun?

A restaurant with the concept of "Tofu" that makes you want to "go out of your way" to go there.

The stylish wazawaza building stands out at the west exit of the Galleria Takemachi shopping street in Chuo-cho, Oita City. On the first floor of this building is "soy cafe," which aims to create a "worthwhile" experience for customers who go out of their way to visit. It is a popular restaurant with many customers who "go out of their way" to visit, based on the unique concept of a tofu café.

We always want to use tofu to convey something new."

Says Toshie Kato, manager of the store. She was born in Toyozen City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and decided to start her business in Oita, which she says has a "somehow familiar and friendly atmosphere. The name of the restaurant, "soi" = soybeans, is a reference to her roots. Tofu from his family's tofu shop, Hisasue Shokuhin, is used in many of the dishes served at the restaurant. The tofu is characterized by its smooth texture, slight sweetness, and rich soybean flavor. Mr. Kato continues to express the charm and potential of tofu in the form of cuisine.

From night to day, renewal, a new challenge

The predecessor of Soy Cafe was "Beans Cafe" located in a corner of Miyako-machi in the city. The name may ring a bell with many people. With its progressive style of sticking to a healthy menu in a nightlife district, the restaurant has been supported for 14 years mainly by women. After many years in business, Mr. Kato felt the need to "focus more on the food," and in 2018, the restaurant was renovated into a café-style soy cafe, focusing on daytime hours. He took a new step forward.

Taste that aims to be "interesting, but not too crazy

While many people visit soy cafe for its healthy and delicious food, it is also famous for its unique menu items that tickle their curiosity.

The list is endless, with dishes such as yuba (bean curd) Tenshinhan style, tofu okonomiyaki, soy milk chilled soup, and tofu shakes. At events and festivals, they also offer an unusual product, deep-fried tofu, which has been well received.

We are aiming for a subtle line, a ticklish point: "A little unusual, but not too unusual," and "interesting, but not too crazy. I want people to be satisfied, that's my first priority.

Mr. Kato laughs as he explains that his customers sometimes tell him that they tried making something at home that they thought they could imitate, but could never get the same flavor.

Another menu item to pick up is the "Vegan Lunch. Vegan is a cuisine in which no animal products are used, not only in the ingredients but also in the seasonings. There are more items than vegetarian that cannot be used, such as meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, bonito flakes, honey, and so on. The menu was born from the presence of a vegan staff member, but according to Mr. Kato, it is "extremely difficult" to make it taste good. The development process was a series of hardships, but Mr. Kato recalls that in the process, he learned the essence of "bringing out the natural taste of the ingredients," and hopes that many people will experience the completed deliciousness of the dish.

Surprises, Discoveries, and Delicacies: A Place Full of Tofu's Appeal and Potential

The real appeal of soy cafe is that it is a place where new discoveries can be made with a simple ingredient, tofu, as the main ingredient. The restaurant is full of encounters with "tofu's charms" that have yet to be discovered.

We hope you will enjoy the discovery, surprise, and heartfelt satisfaction of eating to the fullest. I want to continue to provide food that energizes everyone."

With the desire to surprise everyone with tofu, exciting new menu items may be born today as well.