Very cool to have the oldest tofu place in the US in Portland using traditional hand-made methods and you can purchase blocks at the store front without all the packaging and shipping! : ) read more

First-timer, will def return. Friendly counter lady was very informative. Bought soy milk and a slab of the fried tofu. The tofu was outstanding; sliced and microwaved quickly, sprinkled green onions and cilantro with a drizzle of dark soy sauce. So creamy inside. read more

See all

Best tofu I've eaten in US. Soft but you can feel the texture of it melting away in your palate. There are lots of ways to cook tofu but I'd eat it as is. A shot of perilla oil and sea salt will lay an extra layer to the plate. Warm it up in microwave and add oil and salt. Done. read more

Ota Tofu - Medium tofu with perilla oil and salt. - Specialty Food Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I don't think there are actually enough words for me to say how much I LOVE Ota Tofu. When we first moved to Portland, I definitely noticed Ota Tofu in stores -- but in all honesty, my husband had pointed out Ota on one of our previous visits to the city and I just hadn't had much time to go check it our during that stay. I will say that we live so close to Ota that it has become a tradition and habit in our lives and we definitely have a routine of dropping by and picking up a variety of tofu goods. We always gets a couple of xtra firm blocks, the fried atsu age, and most recently we've been in a soft tofu mood -- aka it's a hot hot summer and we can just to the jiggly goodness with some spices and soy sauce and chomp away. The atsu age lasts a couple of days and the firm maybe a few more days than that -- esp if you swap out into a container with fresh water. There is a teeny parking lot here but street parking is not very hard and you can just walk right in and walk out with the most delicious fresh tofu goodness. I absolutely adore this place and sometimes they'll throw in an extra block if they misheard or think you asked for more. Service is always so sweet regardless of who is up front and it makes the experience even better. Absolutely come by this place and head home with the greatest tofu in the area! read more

When you walk into the small ordering/waiting area, the delicious smell of soy will hit you right in the nose and it's amazing! The people working here are always so friendly and polite. The tofu is handmade fresh daily and it is soo good. The soft tofu is deliciously creamy and when I don't feel like cooking it, I'll eat it cold with a spoon. I'll include my favorite easy tofu recipe at the end! We've used their other tofus for various dishes as well, and it is tasty and of great quality and doesn't get fresher than this! My mom and I used to make soy milk at home and this is the closest thing I can get to it- rich, smooth and unsweetened! And at just $3.50 a gallon! Other places seem to water down and overly sweeten their soy milk but not Ota! I'll eat their soft tofu with a spoon just plain sometimes (it's that good), but usually I'll dress it with sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, garlic, sugar, sesame seeds and green onion. It's a true 5 min recipe and it's especially great for the summer when you don't want to turn on the stove! Their age is yummy too and crisps up beautifully in the oven/air fryer and we like to dip it in sauces :) read more

Ota Tofu - a work station with a laptop and a keyboard - Specialty Food Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Super friendly service. I can actually see the workers in the back making all the delicious tofu products. I know they are fresh and local. The cashier (I assume he is the owner) was super nice. I tried their soy milk, pressed tofu and soft tofu. The owner told me to air fry the pressed tofu until the surface bubbles. Then eat it with drizzle of my favorite hot sauce and soy sauce combination. I will definitely go back for more when I am in the area. read more

See all

I have attempted, unsuccessfully until discovering Ota Tofu, to replace some meat in my home cooking with tofu. But no matter what I tried from my usual grocery store, it just always had terrible texture and even worse flavor. I enjoy tofu when professionally prepared at a restaurant, but I was resigned to avoid it at home. That all changed this week when I picked up some pre-fried tofu from HMart, mate by Ota. It had great texture (crispy exterior, chewy center), and picked up flavors from sauces very well (I fried it again with some soy sauce and sesame oil and brown sugar, and added it to a bibimbap bowl). I'm really excited to experiment with this product more. I haven't been to their store yet, but was glad to see this is a Portland company. I'll experiment with their other products to improve my tofu preparation skills, and then stop by the facility sometime. If you are a novice looking for an easy way to get into tofu, look for their pre-fried slices and thank me later. read more

We are so appreciate this authentic Japanese Tofu place! Excellent quality and reasonable price.

If you've been around for 110 years, doing the exact same thing the entire time, then you're probably doing that thing right. Ota Tofu is a stellar example of this. Let me be clear: this is a no-frills experience, which is exactly what it needs to be. Ota Tofu's "storefront" is a pocket-sized, hole-in-the-wall lobby, large enough for a handful of people (currently max. occupancy 2, due to social distancing requirements) where you saunter up to the counter and place your order from the menu of choices: age ("ah-gay", fried) tofu, or traditional, in three levels of firmness; soymilk, or soybeans. That's it. Quantities vary from small, one pound blocks, to literal buckets! In terms of quality, you cannot get tofu fresher than this anywhere else in the city, perhaps the entire PNW. It's fantastic! But be aware: this is pure, uncut stuff - no sweeteners or additives, no fermentation. It's raw, it's ready, it's radical. And it's cheap! A gallon of soymilk, a block of agedashi and a block of extra firm cost us $7 bucks, and blows anything you can buy off the shelf out of the water! Ota Tofu can be bought off the shelf, but when you can go straight to the source, why would you? If you're a tofu connoisseur, you owe it to yourself to stop in and see what has kept this business alive and thriving for more than a century! read more

See all

My wife is from Japan and we live in Seattle. We learned of Ota Tofu when visiting friends in Portland earlier this year, and it is now a stop every time we are in Portland. Ota Tofu is the best we've found since moving from Japan over 25 years ago, and they produce plenty of varieties. The people at the factory store are wonderful to deal with. read more

Cool little shop. Mostly a small storefront with large kitchen making the freshest tofu! Japanese-owned with a long history. There are newspaper clippings on the wall in the entrance (which is more like a little lobby). They have numerous business accounts, but also allow the public to come in and get same-day made tofu. There are soft and fried tofu options of various thicknesses as well as soy milk for sale. All reasonably priced! Worth a visit. If you buy, plan to cook it that night to maximize freshness! read more

Check it out just for history sake as it's America's oldest tofu shop! And for value - taste and price - they're difficult to beat: about $3 for a generous portion. The quality difference is very notcieable from anything packaged. An informative write-up https://www.travelportland.com/culture/ota-tofu-americas-oldest-tofu-house/ read more

I've been wanting to check this place out for a while and came with friends. Everything you buy when you're there is made the same day. I got some soft tofu as I've been craving tofu pudding from my childhood. I added a drizzle of honey and heated it up, and it was amazing! The tofu was soft and had a nice, earthy sweetness to it. It didn't have any of those weird after tastes you sometimes get with tofu from other companies. Looking forward to coming back for more in the future! In case you can't quite find the location, it's behind The Slammer Tavern. read more

Ota Tofu - Hidden tofu sign - Specialty Food Near Me - Portland, Oregon

What a cool tofu shop! Upon entering, there are signs warning others coming in to wait outside if there is someone already in the lobby. When we went inside, the lobby was small but you can see the entire facility through big windows. The smell of fresh tofu and soy milk wafted in the air and it reminded me of when my mom used to go to our local tofu store to buy fresh soy milk. We bought a block of fresh tofu and the cashier informed us that the tofu was running a bit soft that day, so we bought an extra firm tofu block. The lady was very friendly and asked us how we heard about Ota Tofu and where we were from ( we told her we were visitors). Overall, you can definitely feel the family business vibe. I'm happy this establishment is surviving the pandemic! read more

Ota Tofu - Tofu block - Specialty Food Near Me - Portland, Oregon

My husband loves tofu, so I tried searching for the best tofu in the area, and found out about Ota Tofu. We live in Seattle, so I noted down Ota Tofu on my map for the next time we visited Portland, and finally it happened! I was a little bit anxious at first, because the parking lot was very small, and I didn't know what to expect before walking into the building. However, the lady who greeted us made us feel so welcomed when we told her it was our first visit! She patiently explained the products they sold and answered all our questions :) We bought several boxes of soft & firm tofu, soy milk, and fried tofu. If we lived within 1 hour of Ota Tofu, we would definitely become regulars lol. Next time we drive down to Portland, we will be better prepared (bring a bigger cooler box and tupperware) :D read more

Ota Tofu - Soy milk (Jan 2021) - Specialty Food Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

This long-standing tofu-making operation has a small storefront from which you can buy direct. There is a small parking lot. 1 lb blocks are $2.15 if you bring your own container. (I think regular price was $2.40?) We tried their medium and firm. It is not the silken style that comes in an aseptic pack--rather the blocks that come in water. For use in soup or hot pot, the firm maintains a nice chewier/dense texture that you don't find with most nationally distributed brands. If you're a tofu fan and you're in the area, it definitely worth stopping by and stocking up! read more

Ota Tofu - Specialty Food Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Delicious tofu with a small artisanal feeling. Loved their aged tofu as well as the firm fresh tofu!

A wonderful family-owned business. They have the best fried tofu I've ever had (and I've had a lot). Locals bring their containers to be eco-friendly. read more

When the tofu shop in San Jose Japantown closed, I wasn't sure that there would be any tofu comparable, but I was so happy that we heard about Ota Tofu from the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center. Ota Tofu is the oldest tofu shop in America, and they have quality tofu. We stopped by on a Monday morning, and purchased a couple blocks of firm tofu, which they had just made that morning. Later that evening , we had a bite, and the taste is so much fresher and better than what you typically get at a grocery store. I hope that Ota Tofu stays in business for a long time! read more

Ota is the real deal. The soy Milk & tofu, tastes like the bean and is fresh. Once you eat their Tofu, any store-bought brand, is bland. Ota's tofu is the best tofu I've ever eaten. The soy milk is pure and doesn't have additives. The staff are also wonderful and have a passion for the business. I would give OTA 10 stars if there was an option. Portland is very lucky they have this business in their city. read more

A haiku for the local, family-owned, over 100 year old, fresh-made-daily Japanese Ota Tofu (open Mon-Sat until 5pm): Freshly squished soy beans Raw and FRIED tofu and milk I want it daily!!! Domo domo arigatoo gozaimasu!!!! ^_^ ***Review #28 in the Yelp 30 in 30 Challenge!*** read more

Ota Tofu - Such a cute hole in the wall family operation! - Specialty Food Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Ota Tofu is simply the best tofu I have had and nothing better than buying it right where it is made. The people are friendly and it costs less than in stores. Last time they gave me fresh made and it was still a bit warm. read more

I wish there was a rating higher than 5 stars! This is by far the best tofu I've ever had. I'm usually not super into tofu, but the texture of their extra-firm is amazing! Their fried tofu blocks are great too. On top of this, the people that work there (maybe the owners...? not sure!) are so nice and friendly and generous. I asked about a product I didn't know about last time I was in and they gave me a big sample and advice on how to use it. Cannot recommend ota tofu enough!! read more

Hidden tofu gem in Portland where we picked up fresh that day soy milk, fried tofu, and firm tofu. Silky smooth and delicious and mow on my "hit it regularly" list. read more

Ota Tofu is a staple in the community and I applaud them for being such stewards of authentic tofu. So glad they were showcased on Top Chef. Well-deserved but their reputation precedes them. Please try this tofu and strip all pre-conceived notions of tofu (aka tofurkey, dry-cardboard products). Asian tofu is smooth and is a perfect protein source. read more

Ota Tofu - With the owners! - Specialty Food Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Love this place! They make true tasty tofu and other soybean products. They even make age (deep fried tofu). read more

Ota Tofu - Menu! - Specialty Food Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This is as good as Tofu can get. I'm talking Japan quality good. If you care about quality Tofu, look no further. You walk into the sketchy storefront and are helped by people in big rubber boots and aprons. Ask for however many blocks you want and they chop some off for you and put it in a box, that box in a bag, and that bag in another bag. Hilarious and totally legit. Bring your own Tupperware to save some cash! At $2.15 a block, I'll be back every week. read more

Ota Tofu - Prices as of 7/1/17 - Specialty Food Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This is an unassuming brick little building tucked in behind slammer and across the street from the ever famous DWCT. Talked to the owner the last time I came here and they are new! The Ota of Ota Tofu recently sold the place to a new family to continue the tradition. If you bring your own bucket, it's cheaper. But it's still extremely cheap. Think about it -- you're going straight to the source to buy it before the supermarket can mark it up 50%. The soy milk here is great. Everything is great. Highly recommend. They should do tours of the inside! read more

Always fresh tofu. New owners are also great to work with. Would highly recommend OTA to anyone! It is the oldest tofu house outside of Japan! read more

Ota tofu is Comfort food for the gods in Our bellies each one In Japan there were neighborhood tofu and miso makers, not sure now. But Portland has one. Remember to bring your own container for a discount. The silken tofu, the softest, is only available in prepack, it's delicate and the first out in the morning. You can see the small factory where the tofu is made! read more

Grea fresh to tofu directly from the manufacturer. Excellent service in a small workspace

These guys have the best tofu and they always have tofu because it's what they do all day, everyday. You call, pop over in 15 minutes and there's your gorgeous tofu and fresh soymilk ready to go. No shortages, great value, local and fresh as it gets. read more

Ever since I first tried Ota Tofu from Whole Foods, I fell in love with it. I eat a lot of tofu almost on a daily basis and this is one of the best one I've had before. It's super fresh with a strong soy bean flavor, and made with non-GMO soybeans. I don't usually come to the shop downtown though since I can buy it in the supermarket but they're not as fresh and I can't always find the soft tofu in super markets. read more

See all

The tofu here has a spring to it and doesn't have a crumbly texture like other brands. That's my best description of it. You have to try fresh tofu to compare other store bought brands and then you'll know the difference. You should try it! read more

Great, fresh tofu. I personally prefer the soft but all the firmnesses are good. The only warning for none tofu lovers is that the tofu goes bad quickly after a few days. This is due to the tofu not having any preservatives and is natural. Love the tofu here and come back frequently. read more

Simply incredible tofu. I was never a huge tofu fan probably because i was buying generic, store bought stuff. This has completely changed my opinion of tofu-- it grills SO NICELY and has the most amazing texture and flavor. It truly is a canvas for anything you want to make. Im always happy to make an extra stop and come in to get the freshest tofu from Ota. This is the real deal, Im obsessed!! read more

TOFU WARS REVIEW: So. After visiting Bui and Thanh Son, I guess I was expecting something a little similar to the places out by 82nd (ie, a tofu manufacturer plus deli). And. This isn't one of those. It's just a tofu store. But it's the preeminent tofu store where they make it right there fresh and gmo-free and super delicious with the most adorable packaging ever (haha yay happy soybeans make me happy too!). At first my friend and I were unsure if you could go in and if it was even open -- but it was. Then you could purchase but a few items -- soy milk, fried tofu, and firm or soft tofu. IN MY OBNOXIOUS BACK TO BACK TASTE TEST OF ALL THE FRESH ORGANIC TOFU from the top local contenders, Bui, Ota and Thanh Son, Ota won for me hands down due to its fantastic silken texture and clean taste. If you're looking for the best place to go for tofu, here it is! But don't go expecting any deli frills. read more

The best tofu and the nicest people. I come at least weekly. Call ahead with your order and you are in and out. Yum

Amazing tofu made fresh daily, they even offer a discount for bringing your own container! ($2.15/block). They also have fried tofu and soymilk. It's been in Portland for over a century and it's an awesome family owned business to support!! read more

Absolutely incredible tofu sold at a very reasonable price by friendly staff. The soft tofu has a perfect custard to it! Couldn't think of a better way to spend my money. Looking forward to becoming a regular. read more