While Momodori Ekimae Shokudō (ももどり駅前食堂) is famous for its spicy chicken, it is also a hidden gem for fans of traditional, house-made tofu. The restaurant takes great pride in its hand-crafted tofu, known for its exceptionally rich, creamy texture and deep soybean flavor, a stark contrast to mass-produced varieties. Their Tofu Teishoku (set meal) and various tofu-based izakaya sides, such as chilled silken tofu or savory deep-fried blocks, allow the natural sweetness of local Iwate soybeans to shine. For travellers seeking a lighter yet equally authentic alternative to the shop’s heavy meat dishes, these artisanal tofu offerings offer a satisfying and healthy way to experience Morioka’s local food culture right next to the station.
About Momodori Ekimae Shokudo
Momodori Ekimae Shokudo is one of the restaurants run by Sawauchi Jinku (沢内甚句). The main restaurant is on the other end of Kaiun Bridge (開運橋). Momodori Ekimae Shokudo was a tofu maker before it became a popular casual dining restaurant. Thus, the restaurant’s top recommendation is tofu! Even after it became a restaurant, the tofu-making never stops!
As vegetarians, the word tofu on their signs automatically caught our attention. Because the sign says tofu-making starts at 6 am at the tofu workshop in the store, we thought Momodori Ekimae Shokudo was a tofu shop in the morning and a restaurant at night when we walked past it. But the shop wasn’t open when we visited it in the morning, which made us very confused. At night, we learnt from the restaurant staff that the tofu they make isn’t for sale but is used as an ingredient in the dishes served there.
While disappointed that the tofu isn’t on sale (we also wanted fresh soy milk), we ran into a hidden spot in Morioka to enjoy various tofu dishes!
Don’t turn away if the restaurant seems full when you get there. It has three floors. The traditional, retro interior ambience will give you a warm, welcoming feeling as soon as you step inside. The staff’s friendly greeting will also make you feel at ease. So, if you are after a vegan/vegetarian-friendly izakaya in Morioka, check out Momodori Ekimae Shokudo!
The Tofu Dishes at Momodori Ekimae Shokudo
The signature tofu dishes at Momodori Ekimae Shokudo are made fresh daily with soybeans from Iwate Prefecture, which is why the tofu here has a rich, creamy flavor. Not only can you taste the rich aroma of soybeans, but the cooking methods are also very diverse, including tofu cutlets, fried tofu, cold tofu salad, and Mapo tofu.
Of course, not all Momodori Ekimae Shokudo’s tofu dishes are plant-based. Please use the phrases in our Essential Japanese Travel Phrases for Vegetarians and Vegans article to check with the staff upon arrival which dishes are vegan and which can be customized for you.
What We Ate at Momodori Ekimae Shokudo
Before the main dish, we had the Yose-tofu (寄せ豆富), a perfect entrée (the 2nd photo in the IG post). The freshly made silky tofu was served with rock salt and soy sauce. You can also taste the tofu without any seasonings to enjoy its rich flavor.
Because the main dish of the Classic Tofu Set (与右ェ門豆富定食) is just chilled tofu with soy sauce and seasonings, we went for the Tofu Steak Set (豆富ステーキ定食). The tofu steak is pan-fried tofu with a dressing, cooked with mushrooms. The steak wasn’t too salty and paired really well with rice.
In addition to the tofu dishes, we also ordered the seasonal dish, Appi Maitake Mushroom Tempura (安比舞茸天). Maitake mushrooms are a must-eat whenever we visit Japan in autumn. The deep-fried batter perfectly wrapped the juicy mushroom inside. As the tempura was so fresh, it tasted incredible with just a sprinkle of salt!
The last dish brought to the table was Homemade Atsuage (厚揚げ). Compared to the atsuage elsewhere, Momodori Ekimae Shokudo’s thick deep-fried tofu had a very crispy skin, which explained why it took a while before it was served. The taste? Of course it was phenomenal!
Momodori Ekimae Shokudo’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Momodori Ekimae Shokudo is open from 11 am to 10 pm.
- The last order is taken at 9:30 pm.
- The izakaya is a 5-minute walk from Morioka Station (盛岡駅).
Tip: It is best to make a reservation if you want to have dinner at Momodori Ekimae Shokudo. We had to wait 10 minutes when we arrived at the restaurant around 6:30 pm on a weekday.
Over Vegan-Friendly Cafes and Restaurants in Morioka
While Morioka is one of the biggest cities in the Tōhoku region, vegan options are still limited. So if you are strict with your diet, advance planning for your visit is essential.
To assist you with your planning, we have gathered the vegan-friendly spots in Morioka worth checking out in our article Where to Find Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Morioka“!
Discover the Must-Visit Attractions in Morioka
When you hear of Morioka, wanko soba noodles, and Morioka cold noodles are probably the first two things that come to mind. But the city isn’t just about food. It also has many cultural attractions, hot springs, nature and more!
So refer to our Morioka article for ideas about where to stop by when visiting Iwate Prefecture’s capital city!
