Hodo Consolidates Farmers' Markets

We are sad to announce that we have closed our East Bay farmers’ market locations. Some of these farmers’ markets have been a home to Hodo for years and we will truly miss our customers. Unfortunately, these markets are no longer financially sustainable for us.  We will continue to look for ways to get you as many varieties of our tofu as possible, so please share your ideas!

In the meantime, you will find Hodo tofu at a growing number of local restaurants, grocery stores, schools, hospitals and other locations.  You can also directly source Hodo products through the local CSA called Eating With the Seasons.  If Eating With the Seasons doesn't carry your favorite products, let them know!  They are open to offering more selection whenever the interest surfaces! 

 

Here is a list of East Bay retailers who carry Hodo’s fresh tofu products.  A complete list of all Hodo’s retail customers appears on our website.  Help us increase the variety by asking your local stores to carrying your favorite tofu!

We are grateful for your continued support.

Hodo Soy Beanery's East Bay Retail Customers
	Firm	Braised	Yuba	Spicy Yuba Strips	Five Spice Tofu Nuggets	Spicy Curry Nuggets	V-Egg-an Salad
Alameda Natural	x	x		x	x	x	x
Andronicos Shattuck	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Berkeley Natural Grocery		x		x	x	x	x
Costco Richmond	x			x	x
El Cerrito Natural Grocery		x		x	x	x	x
Local Butcher Shop	x	x	x		x
Market Hall	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Monterey Market	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Star Market	x	x		x	x	x	x
Whole Foods Berkeley	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Whole Foods Oakland	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Yasai Market	x	x		x	x	x	x

Hodo Kiosk Spotlight, by Emma Lutz

As I walked towards the Ferry Building amongst the gaggle of tourists and business people, the air was crisp and uncharacteristically warm. Visiting the Hodo Kiosk and blogging about it was one of my first tasks as Hodo's Summer 2011 intern. The kiosk is a great expansion for Hodo because it's Hodo's first retail location and it introduces new products different from Hodo farmers’ market and grocery store items.

I stepped into the Ferry Building and was instantly relieved by the openness and natural light that flooded the building. With the farmers market outside, the halls of the building were bustling with food enthusiasts and tourists—great people watching.

I found the Hodo Kiosk next to Gott’s Roadside and The Slanted Door. I tried the Yuba Kung Pao salad, which is a refreshing mix of yuba, brown rice noodles, carrot, cucumber, and daikon. The yuba gives the salad a sumptuous texture when mixed with the fresh crunch of the veggies. The Kung Pao dressing tops the salad off giving it a delightfully summery flavor.

I learned that the customers’ favorite is the Indian Wrap, made with spicy curry tofu nuggets, crisp lettuce, cucumber, carrot, daikon, and cilantro, seasoned with a mouth-watering mango chutney and Hodo’s homemade vegan mayonnaise, all wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla.

The kiosk also carries a great variety of soy smoothies and drinks, such as Chocolate Soy Shake, Thai Tea, Strawberry Banana Smoothie, and Kale Avocado Shake. If you are already a Hodo fan or someone who simply wants to try some great new Hodo dishes, make sure to stop by the kiosk! Next time I visit, I hope to enjoy some of the decadent Scharf’s Chocolate Mousse while viewing sailboats on the bay.

Kiosk Hours:

Monday-Friday 9am – 7pm

Saturdays 8am – 6pm

Sundays 11am – 5pm

Unique and freshly-made ready-to-eat items at the kiosk:

Strawberry Banana Smoothie: Strawberry, Banana, Hodo Soy Milk, Hodo Custard, Orange Juice, Agave Syrup

Kale Avocado Smoothie: Kale, Avocado, Cucumber, Hodo Soy Milk, Hodo Soy Custard, Apple Juice, Lime Juice, Sea Salt

Thai Iced Tea: Hodo Soy Milk, Thai Tea, Organic Sugar

Chocolate Soy Milk: Hodo Soy Milk, Cocoa Powder, Organic Sugar, Vanilla, Sea Salt

Yuba Kung Pao Salad: Yuba, Brown Rice Noodles, Cucumber, Daikon, Carrot, Soynuts, Cilantro, Kung Pao Sauce (soy bean oil, rice vinegar, tamari, water, cane sugar, sesame oil, brown sugar, corn starch, spices, garlic, ginger, chilies, dried orange peel)

Scharf’s Mousse: Hodo Soy Crème, Hodo Soy Custard, Scharffen Berger 62% Semisweet Chocolate, Agave Syrup, Rice Starch, Vanilla, Sea Salt

Forbidden Rice Pudding: Hodo Soy Crème, Hodo Soy Custard, Licorice, Cinnamon, Agave Syrup, Indian Spice, Candied Ginger, Toasted Coconut

Indian Wrap: Curry Tofu Nuggets, Lettuce, Carrot, Cucumber, Daikon, Cilantro, Hodo Vegan Mayo, Mango Chutney, Whole Wheat Tortilla

Sky Is Falling! Sandwich: Hodo Firm Tofu, Hodo Vegan Mayo, Yellow Curry, Turmeric, Vital Vittles Bread

***In addition to the prepared items, the Kiosk also carries all of Hodo’s fresh tofu products (Soy Milk, Silken, Medium, and Firm Tofu, Fresh Yuba, Braised Tofu, and Tea-Infused Tofu) along with a variety of grab and go salads (Hijiki, Spicy Yuba Strips, 5-Spice and Spicy Curry Nuggets).***

Bakesale Betty Fried Tofu Sandwich

Since becoming a vegetarian and slow foodist and moving to the Bay Area, I have eaten so well that I rarely miss my old diet. Except when the first perfect days of Spring arrive, like they have this week, and I smell everyone's barbecues.

And when I pass by the line outside Bakesale Betty's and overhear the patient lunch-goers saying to their friends, "just wait until you try this amazing fried chicken sandwich. The combination of slaw, fresh French roll, and crispy chicken are dreeeamy."

At last, beginning April 12, we self-sacrificing vegetarians will have a dreamy Bakesale Betty sandwich to line up for! During the photo shoot for today's Oakland Tribune article about popular food companies who launched their businesses at farmers' markets, Minh and Betty finalized the specs for how he would brine the tofu and she would fry it for this unbelievably delicious sandwich. Betty brought her "final take" to the beanery, and we were speechless with appreciation for the most skillful fry job we had ever witnessed, and the most magnificent balance of cabbage, parsley, vinegar, and olive oil topping it.

I hope to see you in line to try the fried tofu sandwich's debut next Tuesday! Or Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, as I will most likely be there for one every day.

P.S. Even though the news of a Bakesale Betty friend tofu sandwich seems too good to be true, believe it! A Hodo Ferry Building kiosk opening in May will happen also! However, Hodo selling soy-flavored bacon, soy cocktails, and edible soyrangements at said kiosk was an April Fools Fancy. Sorry to disappoint those who didn't catch on.

Hodo Invites Ideas for our new kiosk

Are you questioning the buzz about a Hodo kiosk in the Ferry Building opening in May? Well, believe it! Across from Out The Door and next to Gott's Roadside, Hodo is opening its first very own retail space! We will sell many new ready-to-eat breakfast and lunch items, flavored soy milks, and all our freshly-made soy products.

Our kiosk will serve as a stage to present our soy innovations, as we have them. Our current projects include:

Tofu-flavored Bacon. No one's succeeded in making a truly delicious soy-based bacon substitute, including us, so we've switched gears and begun developing a soy-flavored bacon. Yes, we are still a vegetarian company, but we're making this one small exception in pursuit of an amazing product.

Soy Liqueur. We haven't perfected the fermentation process, but as soon as we do, our beverages will be even more intoxicating! Look for soytinis and Long Island Soy Teas at our kiosk bar soon!

Edible Soyrangements. Edible gifts have taken off, and Hodo has tested some beautiful yuba roses and braised tofu tulip bouquets. They look fantastic and taste delicious... so long as you present them to your loved ones in a refrigerated space.

What ideas do you have for new soy innovations? We welcome your suggestions! We want the launching of our kiosk to be a collaborative community event!

Hodo Enters Your Neighborhood Store

Thank you for telling us where you shop!  In January and February we joined many of your neighborhood grocery stores!  If you've been mum on this subject and we're still not in your favorite market, please let us know.  Here are Hodo product's newest homes:

New San Francisco Locations

Buffalo Whole Foods, 598 Castro Street, The Castro

Cal-Mart Supermarket, 3585 California Street, Laurel Heights

Daily Health Food and Deli, 1235 9th Avenue, Inner Sunset

Potrero Hill Whole Foods, 450 Rhode Island Street

The Nature Stop, 1336 Grant Avenue, North Beach

Real Food, 2140 Polk Street, Russian Hill

New East Bay Locations

Alameda Natural Grocery, 1650 Park Street, Alameda

Berkeley Natural Grocery, 1336 Gilman Street, Berkeley

Berkeley Whole Foods, 3000 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley

Country Cheese, 2101 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley

El Cerrito Natural Grocery, 10367 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito

The Food Mill, 3033 MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland

Piedmont Grocery, 4038 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland

Star Grocery, 3068 Claremont Avenue, Berkeley

Tokyo Fish Market, 1220 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley

Yaoya-San, 10566 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito

New Outer East Bay Locations

Lunardi's Danville, 345 Railroad Avenue, Danville

Lunardis Walnut Creek, 1600 Palo Verdes Mall, Walnut Creek

New North Bay Location

San Rafael Whole Foods, 340 Third Street, San Rafael

If you cannot find your favorite Hodo products at these stores, please let the store manager know and hopefully they will expand their Hodo selection soon!  Thanks again for pointing us in the direction of these friendly markets!

Public Tours Begin Dec. 16

Taste pure soymilk fresh from the kettle. Savor yuba (tofu skin) from the only fresh, organic producer in the US. Sample Hodo dishes that can't be found elsewhere. Watch our artisans make soymilk, tofu and yuba. Learn about soybean selection, soymilk Brix content, yuba technique and other important elements of the innovative production process at Hodo.

Starting December 16, Hodo Soy Beanery will launch public tastings at our newly-opened Beanery in Oakland. During a one-hour session, visitors will learn about tofu- and yuba-making, view production in action, and taste a variety of Hodo's freshly-made products.

These public visits have been a goal ever since we first laid plans to open our new production facility. We want to pull back the curtain on tofu-making and offer people the opportunity learn about, appreciate and enjoy soy in a new way. Artisan tofu- and yuba-making is a fascinating process to experience. Taste the difference between our freshly made soy products compared to off-the-shelf supermarket products. We are excited by the challenge to do something that hasn't been done before - Hodo Soy Beanery is the first tofu maker in the US to offer public visits and tastings.

All tours will be by reservation only. Initially, availability will be limited (one session every two weeks: Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m.). Tours will be held in small, intimate groups and include tastings. Ticket price is $10 per person. Buy your tickets here.

The Beanery opens!

Announced today . . .

Organic Tofu Maker Hodo Soy Beanery Opens Factory in West Oakland
Innovative Bay Area maker of organic soymilk, tofu and yuba
Public viewing and tasting hours in December 2009

OAKLAND, Calif., October 13, 2009 — Today, Hodo Soy Beanery opens its new facility in West Oakland, where it will produce its freshly made, organic soymilk, tofu, yuba (tofu skin), and prepared dishes for the San Francisco Bay Area. The Beanery will offer public tours starting this December where visitors can meet the tofu makers, learn about the history of the soybean and tofu, see Hodo Soy Beanery’s innovative approach to tofu-making, and taste a range of its fresh products.

Hodo Soy Beanery founder and Tofu Master, Minh Tsai, was inspired to make tofu after failing to find the fresh, artisan soymilk and tofu he remembers getting from the neighborhood tofu shack as a child in Vietnam. With a group of friends and family, he started making soymilk, tofu and yuba with whole, organic, non-GM soybeans out of a family-run commercial kitchen and started selling it at the Palo Alto farmers’ market. In 2004, after positive response and growing demand, Minh left his job in finance to launch Hodo Soy Beanery. He was soon joined by business partner, John Notz, who signed on to help expand the business. Today, Hodo Soy Beanery’s products are available at their booths at ten Bay Area farmers’ markets and a growing number of local grocery stores and restaurants including Coi, Greens and the Slanted Door.

“We want people to think of tofu in a different way,” explains Minh. “Much like fine cheese and chocolate, there’s a real artistry to creating great-tasting tofu and yuba, and this artistry starts with the ingredients.” Hodo Soy Beanery sources organic soybeans grown at a Midwestern co-op and makes its tofu products in a light-filled facility, a former candy factory and bakery. The custom-designed manufacturing equipment combines art and science, and was fabricated by one of Asia’s oldest tofu equipment producers.

“Tofu is not a bland, rubbery food that is only eaten because it is good for you,” says Minh, “It is most delicious when it is made with care and eaten fresh.” This means an early morning start for the Tofu Master; Hodo Soy Beanery aims to have all their products delivered to customers within 12 hours of preparation. “When you eat Hodo Soy Beanery tofu products, you know exactly where the beans come from, when and where the products are made, and who makes them,” explains Minh.

Hodo Soy Beanery’s product range showcases the many shapes and textures soymilk and tofu can take. It is the only producer of fresh, organic yuba in the United States. Yuba, or tofu skin, is what Minh calls “the sashimi of soy.” It’s the delicate sheet of soy cream that forms on top of a batch of fresh, gently warmed soymilk. The sheets are lifted by hand from the surface of the soymilk and dried on metal rods. Yuba can be eaten fresh with a dipping sauce or added to soups or stews. In addition to yuba, Hodo Soy Beanery makes fresh soy noodles from firm tofu and silky soy custard as well as ready-to-eat dishes such as spicy croquettes, braised tofu salad, soy noodle salad, and chocolate mousse – all made from organic soybeans.

Growing demand at their farmers’ market booths and from Bay Area chefs like Daniel Patterson and Charles Phan encouraged Hodo Soy Beanery to expand. With the help of investors and advisors including Sue Conley of Cowgirl Creamery and John Scharffenberger, founder of Scharffenberger Cellars and Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, Minh and John relocated Hodo Soy Beanery’s headquarters to its spacious production facility in West Oakland. It is here that an Old World food tradition combined with New World innovation finds expression and an appreciative audience.

Hodo Soy Beanery currently distributes through Bay Area farmers' markets and wholesale to restaurants, grocery stores, and food service operators (corporations and schools). Hodo Soy Beanery is a proud member of West Oakland's economic community. For farmers’ market locations, recipes and more information, visit www.hodosoy.com.

Oakland Waterfront Foodtrail

Oakland has become a hot-bed of artisan, start-up food businesses. With our move to the new Beanery in West Oakland, Hodo now joins this scene. You can find us on the map of the Oakland Waterfront Foodtrail, which starts in our area of West Oakland, continues through Jack London Square, and finishes by the Coliseum. 

Oakland Waterfront Foodtrail - there is a link to the map in the column of links on the right of the City's home page.

You could spend even more time in our immediate vicinity than the map belies. The Beanery is located in large building which formerly housed a candy producer and then a bakery. We now share the building with some other terrific food producers:Kaia Foods - makers of raw granola - and Cosmic Chocolate.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

On March 28, Hodo participated in "Foodies Fighting Cancer" at San Francisco's Ferry Building, benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Sukhi's, Aidell's and Ciao Bella also participated. Congratulations to our friend and event organizer, Bill Shen, who was recently named even "Man of the Year" by the Society.

Here is Hodo's own Ben Chandler, manning the Hodo booth that day.

Tofu Dessert Competition & Festival

On March 16, in San Francisco's Japantown, we were a proud sponsor of this year's Tofu Dessert Competition & Festival, benefiting the Nihonmachi Little Friends organization.

That's Hodo's own Daniel Alafetich (2nd from right, in Hodo t-shirt), serving as one of the competition judges. A very nice soy tiramisu won the day.