Ota Tofu: America’s Oldest Tofu Company, Crafting Tradition Since 1911

In Southeast Portland, behind a bright red door in a modest industrial building, lies one of America’s most enduring culinary treasures. Ota Tofu, founded in 1911, is the oldest tofu company in the United States — and one of the few that still makes tofu the traditional way: entirely by hand, one batch at a time.

Ota’s longevity is rooted in its uncompromising commitment to craftsmanship. Inside the factory, workers move through rising steam as soybeans are soaked, ground, cooked, and pressed through a process that has changed little in more than a century. While tofu production across the country has become increasingly industrialized, Ota Tofu deliberately maintains a method that prioritizes taste, texture, and purity above speed.

A key reason for that purity lies in a single ingredient: Japanese-sourced nigari (magnesium chloride). Used for generations in Japan as the natural coagulant for tofu, nigari is known for producing exceptionally smooth, flavorful tofu with a delicate yet resilient texture. “Nigari is traditional, but it’s also what gives our tofu its character,” says owner Jason Ogata, who took over the company with his mother, Sharon Hirata, in 2019. “It’s the reason we still make tofu by hand — it requires more attention and skill, but the result is worth it.”

Jason grew up eating Ota tofu and now begins his workdays at 3 a.m., six days a week, overseeing a production process that relies heavily on intuition and experience. Under his leadership, Ota has embraced thoughtful modernization — improved ordering systems, a refreshed brand presence, and stronger community engagement — while fiercely protecting the traditional techniques that define its product.

Today, Ota Tofu’s presence across the Pacific Northwest continues to expand, thanks in part to Unity Foods, an independent, locally owned distributor dedicated to elevating local, artisan-made products. Their partnership allows Ota’s handcrafted tofu to reach more restaurants, retailers, and home cooks while preserving the freshness and integrity that loyal customers expect.

Ota Tofu stands as more than a business; it is a living piece of Japanese American history and a model for what it means to lead with heritage in a modern marketplace. As the company looks to its next chapter, one thing remains unchanged: every block of tofu is made with the same patience, ingredients, and respect for craft that began in 1911.