Yudofu (Yu Tofu) is Tofu cooked in hot water (Yu) in a pot. It is a very simple Nabe hot pot dish. Usually the hot water is not actually just water but Kombu (dried kelp) broth to give the dish more flavor. It is typically served with tangy Ponzu sauce for dipping. You can use Mentsuyu instead for dipping sauce if you don’t like Ponzu.
Nabe (Nabemono) hot pot dishes are usually full of vegetables and fish and meat, but Yudofu is only Tofu. You could put some white long onions or mild fish like cod in the same pot, but then it becomes closer to regular Nabe. You may think it is a little boring, but Yudofu is about enjoying simpleness and the delicate flavor of Tofu, so try it first without any other ingredients.
There are mainly two kinds of Tofu, Kinugoshi and Momen. Kinugoshi has a softer and smoother texture, and Momen is firmer and dense with a stronger soy bean flavor. For Yudofu, we think soft Kinugoshi is a better choice for the feeling in your mouth, but use whichever you like.
Here in sunny southern California, we may not need Yudofu to get warm fortunately, but we eat it anyway just because it tastes good. For Japan (or anywhere that has seasons and real weather), however, it is the best winter food to cope with those long cold months.

Yudofu Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 sheet Kombu dried sea kelp
- 14 oz Tofu
- Ponzu
- 1-2 green onions (thinly cut)
- Shichimi
Instructions
- Put water and Kombu together in a pot and let boil, then turn down heat to medium low.
- Cut Tofu into 8 blocks and add to the pot. Cover and simmer for 7-8 minutes.
- Serve with Ponzu, green onions, and Shichimi.
6 Comments
Are you using hard, medium or soft tofu for this dish?
Alyx,
soft, but anything you want!
Do you have to KEEP it warm after it’s cooked? Is it okay to put in a bento for lunch?
Grace,
Yudofu can’t be in bento! That’s just tofu then! If you need Bento ideas, please go to our Bento Lunch Menu under Menu.
Thank you for this recipe! I wanted something light and nutritious and this was perfect. I really love the subtle flavor of the broth.
Brent,
glad you liked our Yudofu Recipe! If you like that, you would like our Mizutaki too. Try it in winter!