Little Bundles of Soy

Should you find yourself in the midst of a seemingly neverending business trip to Japan in the middle of summer, Umenohana, a serene tofu restaurant in Osaka, is a soothing palliative against the oppressive humidity (and other attendant forms of oppression). Diners are led through mini rock gardens to hushed tatami rooms, and served a set course of dishes highlighting tofu or its cousin yuba. All dishes were delightful, but my personal favorite was yuba wrapped around a geometric four-square of alternating daikon and tuna. I would have taken a photo, but that would have been difficult to explain to the clients.