A Japanese Tofu RestaurantJapan’s summer is in full effect, bringing with it temperatures in excess of 35 degrees and humidity levels above 70%. Computers over-heat just by booting, the roads are unbearably hot before the morning rush, and people complain about anything and everything that isn’t going their way. On top of this, it’s that time of year when restaurants decide to close their doors forever. Unfortunately はなのまえ (Hana no Mae), a tofu restaurant in Konan City, is one of the affected businesses.

はなのまえ has some significance for both Reiko and I as this was the restaurant where I first officially met her parents. We had gone there in May of 2006 during my first visit to this country and, because everything had gone so smoothly, Reiko’s parents gave us the green light to continue seeing each other. This was great news, as neither Reiko or I wanted to disappoint her parents. Since then, we’ve gone half-a-dozen times as one big happy family and enjoyed the meal on every occasion. The place has always been full and the staff, while not always the quickest to respond, have always been friendly and mindful.

So it came as a bit of a shock when we learned that this restaurant would shut down in August of this year, never to open again.

The Appetizer at はなのまえAll This, And More!

One of the things I enjoyed about eating at was the quality of the food. Before going to this tofu-ya, I had thought that there was only a limited number of things that could be done with the soy-based food. Twenty minutes after sitting down at the traditional Japanese tables, though, my opinion had changed quite a bit.

The culinary artists at はなのまえ certainly know how to take something as simple and basic as tofu, and turn it into a dish that is so good that you don’t mind running the risk for dementia or any other concerns people claim when it comes to the versatile food product. Whether it’s just a simple slice with flavourful miso sauce, or a lightly baked dish with thin sauce, eel, or squid, you will definately walk way with a different impression of tofu once your done. To top it all off, you won’t even mind getting the bill, as the meal is seldom over ¥2000.

If you do get the chance to visit Konan before August of this year, be sure to check out Hana no Mae. It’s a great little place and you won’t be disappointed.

Now for the next challenge … finding a new tofu restaurant in the area where the family can get together once a month or so to share a meal….