Glossary - Ingredients

Atsuage / Thick Deep-Fried Tofu

Thick cuts of tofu deep-fried in oil

What is atsuage?

Atsuage / thick deep-fried tofu (厚揚げ in Japanese) is thickly sliced pieces of firm tofu with the excess liquid drained, then deep fried. Atsuage is known for its firm exterior and soft, tofu interior. It gets used in many different dishes because it does not lose its shapes such as soups, stir-fries, chopped fish or vegetables in sauce, or flame-broiled dishes. It is usually more filling than regular tofu as it is fried.

Nutrition facts

Because atsuage is fried in oil, it is higher in calories and fat than tofu. However, as it contains less water than tofu, its nutritional value is more concentrated.
In addition to vegetable protein, atsuage is rich in calcium, magnesium, and iron. It also contains saponins and isoflavones, which work to suppress the increase of cholesterol and neutral fats. Isoflavones have female hormone-like effects, and contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis and the adjustment of hormone balance.
To reduce calories and fat, it is a good idea to pour boiling water over the surface of the atsuage before cooking to reduce the oil content. A similar food is aburaage / thin deep-fried tofu, but atsuage has fewer calories and fat.