Tofu Salads
A lot of places are serving Asian salads with high-protein tofu.
* Mishima: This hearty salad is full of tofu, chopped lettuce, tomatoes, wakame seaweed, daikon sprouts and dried bonito. But it’s the dressing that makes it: mayonnaise, seaweed paste, bonito broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar and a pinch of sugar. (Tofu salad, $5.50.) Mishima, 8474 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, (323) 782-0182; 12265 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, (818) 506-8861; Eastgate Plaza, 21605 S. Western Ave., Torrance, (310) 320-2089; 11819 Wilshire Blvd., West Los Angeles, (310) 966-1062.
* Tai Yo: This salad is daikon sprouts and tofu on a bed of baby greens, baby radish, cucumbers, green onions and wakame. It comes in a delicate dressing of miso, ginger, soy sauce, garlic and rice vinegar with a dash of peanut oil. (Tofu salad, $6 for lunch, $7 for dinner.) Tai Yo, 5917 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 468-2496.
* Hirozen: If you’re lucky, you’ll find the layered tofu salad on special at this mini-mall gem. It’s julienned cucumbers, daikon, sliced tomatoes and alternating layers of sliced tofu and shiitake mushrooms, topped with an edible pansy and kaiware (radish sprouts). It’s flavored by a soy-miso dressing with sesame seeds and a dash of hot pepper. (Tofu salad, $5.50.) Hirozen, 8385 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 653-0470.
* Omino Sushi: This one is chopped romaine, cucumbers, tomatoes and kaiware tossed with a sweet sesame ginger soy dressing and littered with squares of tofu. (Tofu salad, $5.25.) Omino Sushi, 20957 Devonshire St., Chatsworth, (818) 709-8822.
* Zen Grill: This salad has two dressings. The mixed baby greens, and soft tofu are mixed with balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and yuzu (a tart Japanese citrus), then sprinkled with dried seaweed and served on a large leaf. The thickish peanut dressing is spiked with garlic and ginger. (Wakame seaweed and tofu salad, $6.50.) Zen Grill, 9111 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 278-7773; 8432 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, (323) 655-9991; 14543 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818) 461-8444.
* Kakemoto: This spring version of tofu salad includes asparagus and baby organic greens. It’s tossed in a creamy dressing full of garlic, ginger, miso and sweet rice wine, and garnished with big slices of tofu drizzled in miso. (Tofu salad, $6 for small, $7 for large.) Kakemoto, 456 N. Bedford Drive, Beverly Hills, (310) 246-1370.