An Elegant Tofu Spoon with a Camellia Motif

Winter means hot pot, and it's the season for delicious stews. The past four installments might have been a bit formal, serving as an overview, but from now on, I plan to relax and introduce things closer to my everyday life. So, this time, the theme is hot pot, and I'd like to focus on yutofu, which has a slightly refined air. While most hot pot accessories are practical, everyday items, there's a greater variety of sophisticated pieces available for yutofu. The tofu spoon in the photo, for instance, is an antique silver piece. Since it's a winter dish, the motif is a camellia. There's a certain chicness in details like this.

Speaking of which, the most unrefined thing when enjoying yutofu is adding too many ingredients. The novelist Shotaro Ikenami even wrote in his books that a small pot should not contain more than two types of ingredients. That's why I try to limit myself to just green onions, and occasionally clams, for my yutofu. Anything more turns it into a mishmash. Perhaps the essence of yutofu is akin to product design, wouldn't you agree!?

Beyond the Cassette Stove: A Recommendation for the 'Konro'

For enjoying yutofu, I highly recommend a 'konro' (a traditional Japanese stove). If you search, you can surprisingly find designs that feel quite modern (the one in the photo is my favorite). Konro made of diatomaceous earth are available at department stores and can be purchased for around 2,000 to 3,000 yen. While cassette stoves are certainly convenient, using charcoal can create occasional crackling sounds, which adds a certain charm. They're also useful for grilling dried sardines or squid. I truly hope you'll enjoy the magic of transforming even simple ingredients into a feast with just a little effort. Of course, please be mindful of ventilation.

Now, one cannot have yutofu without a drink. Therefore, in the next installment, I plan to introduce tools related to alcoholic beverages.