Hiyayakko – chilled tofu with toppings Recipe
Hiyayakko is a very simple, chilled tofu snack served with soy sauce and fresh toppings. In Japan it’s especially popular in summer, when no one feels like standing over a hot stove. The flavor is delicate, fresh and slightly salty, and the whole dish is a bit like a salad, just in the form of a block of tofu.
Hiyayakko is one of those dishes that appear on the table in Japan when it’s too hot to cook – all you need is chilled tofu, a few toppings, and a simple sauce. It’s often served in small bowls alongside rice and miso soup as part of a home-style “teishoku” set meal.
This dish showcases tofu in its purest, most delicate form – chilled, silky and lightly seasoned, with fresh toppings that add crunch and aroma. It’s quick to prepare, requires no cooking and is perfect for hot days when you want something light but satisfying.
Chef's tips
Use the best-quality tofu you can find, as its flavor is key here. Silken tofu will give you a very soft, custard-like texture, while firm tofu will be easier to handle and slice neatly. Grate the ginger just before serving so it stays juicy and aromatic, and don’t drown the tofu in sauce – it should gently complement the flavor, not overpower it.
How to serve
Serve the tofu in individual small bowls or on a shared platter, with extra soy sauce and sesame oil on the side. You can add a small bowl of steamed rice, miso soup or a simple cucumber salad to turn it into a light meal. For a more Japanese-style table, serve with green tea or cold barley tea.
Substitutions
- Instead of sesame oil, use a neutral-tasting oil plus a pinch of toasted sesame seeds to keep the nutty aroma.
- You can replace radishes with finely chopped cucumber or daikon radish for similar crunch.
- Instead of fresh ginger, use a little wasabi, dotting it on sparingly and in small amounts.
Ingredients
- tofu - 300 g
- soy sauce - 2 tablespoons
- ginger - 10 g
- spring onion - 1 piece
- radish - 3 piece
- sesame oil - 1 teaspoon
- sesame seeds - 1 tablespoon
Preparation
- Gently remove the tofu from the package and drain off the water. If you’re using silken tofu, handle it carefully, as it crumbles easily.
- Place the tofu on a plate lined with a paper towel and leave for 5 minutes to drain the excess water. Then transfer it to a clean serving plate.
- Peel the ginger with a teaspoon and grate it on a fine grater. Slice the spring onion and radishes into thin rounds.
- In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce with the sesame oil.
- You can leave the tofu in one large block or cut it into 2–4 smaller portions.
- Place a little grated ginger on top of the tofu (about a small teaspoon per portion), then sprinkle with spring onion, radish and sesame seeds.
- Just before serving, drizzle the tofu with the soy sauce and sesame oil mixture, or serve the sauce on the side so everyone can pour it on their own plate.
Storage
No storage information available for this dish.
Hiyayakko is one of those dishes that proves how little you need to create something truly satisfying: good tofu, a few toppings and a splash of soy sauce. It’s ideal when you’re short on time or don’t feel like cooking, but still want something fresh and a bit special.
