In the grounds of the Ryoan-ji Temple stands a yudofu restraunt. Yudofu, so I found out, is tofu cooked in hot water in a pot. I had never had tofu before, but there was always a first time. When it came, the pot was laden with tofu, and other things, and it wasn't just hot water either, it was a very flavoursome, clear broth. I tried to find out what the basis of the broth was, and through a language barrier, found out it was seaweed. I might add here that the tofu was OK, not quite the same as a piece of lamb, but very pleasant all the same. I was told it was the best in the world at this restaurant.
Accompanying the yodufu were other delights set out on a sectioned plate. I had noticed that sectioned plates seemed to be the in thing in my time in Japan. There were all kinds of things, all vegetables of some kind, and I had no idea what they were. I just ate because I was hungry, and this was lunch. Some of the things I tried were very nice, others were disgusting, but I did try them all. I found that there was an underlying flavour to everything, so asked our guide. We came to the conclusion it was sesame.
You may have noticed the cushions on the floor and no chairs. That's right, no chairs! we were supposed to kneel on those cushions to eat. Have any of you seen me try to kneel lately? I wonder why not? Mmmmm.......................... DH has knees that don't work, and that gentleman in the photo has a bungy leg,( he is a footballer) so none of us were kneeling to eat. It is amazing what chairs can be found when required!
All in all a food experience I will remember.
