Takeda Aburaage: Where to Eat, Prices & Hours (Fukui)

The thick fried tofu made in Takeda, a mountain village in Maruoka of Sakai City, is a famous specialty. Fukui is a land that eats a great deal of fried tofu, and this dish is its very symbol. In a region of deep Jodo Shinshu Buddhist faith, the custom of serving fried tofu dishes at the Hoonko memorial services is said to lie behind how fried tofu took root in households.

Highlights

Far thicker than the usual kind, it is crisp and fragrant outside and fluffy and juicy within. Rich in the flavor of soybeans, it is typically grilled and eaten with ginger and soy sauce. It holds the skill of artisans who use the pure water of Takeda and domestic soybeans and fry it slowly. Though thick, unlike atsuage it is finished with a light texture all the way through.

Enjoying the Seasons

It can be enjoyed all year. Freshly made fried tofu tasted in the quiet mountain village is exceptional, savored amid the scenery of the countryside through the seasons.

Access and Basic Information

In Kamitakeda of Maruoka in Sakai City stands a long established shop said to have been founded in 1925, where you can taste it grilled fresh at the attached eatery. The eatery hours differ by season and it is often closed on Tuesdays, so checking the latest information before visiting is reassuring. It can also be bought in Fukui City and elsewhere.

Practical Travel Notes

• The village eatery operates mainly at lunch, and hours change with the season. It may set closed days such as Tuesday, so checking ahead is a good guide.
• A single thick piece is filling. If pairing it with other specialties such as oroshi soba, adjust the amount.
• Adding ginger and soy sauce or grated radish brings out the fragrance and the flavor of the soybeans all the more.
• Takeda is a quiet mountain village, with terraced rice fields and riverside scenery nearby, making it easy to visit as part of a drive.

A Quick Tip

Have it piping hot off the grill. Adding grated radish or ginger brings out its fragrance all the more.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Main area where it is served: Kamitakeda, Maruoka-cho, Sakai City. Taniguchiya (37-26-1 Kamitakeda, Maruoka-cho, Sakai City; tel: 0776-67-2202), founded in the 14th year of the Taisho era (1925), is the best-known producer.
• Where to try it: Taniguchiya restaurant / 10:30-15:00 from March to November, and 11:00-14:00 in winter (December to February). The souvenir shop is open 9:00-17:00 from March to November and 9:00-16:00 in winter. Closed on Tuesdays (with occasional temporary closures).
• Access: About 16 minutes by car from Eiheijiguchi Station on the Echizen Railway. Parking available.
• Points to note: Because the opening hours change with the season, it is a good idea to check the announcements on the official website before you visit. Takeaway is offered during the same hours as the restaurant.

Note: Opening hours and prices vary from shop to shop.

(Sources: Taniguchiya official website, "Restaurant (Main Store)"; Fukui City official tourism website "Fukuiro," Restaurant Taniguchiya; Sakai City official tourism guide "Sakai Tabi Navi")

Information Sources

This article is compiled from tourism information for Fukui Prefecture and Sakai City and from information published by each shop. Prices and product details are subject to change, so please check each shop's official information for details.

Sightseeing Checklist

• Budget guide: From a few hundred yen per piece, with assorted gift sets also available
• Where to eat it: Taniguchiya in Sakai City and souvenir shops around the prefecture
• Recommended time of day: Available year-round. For it freshly fried, eat at the shop
• Avoiding the crowds: The restaurant at this popular shop gets busy at lunchtime, so try shifting your visit outside peak hours
• Enjoy it together with: Maruoka Castle, Echizen oroshi soba and local Fukui sake