Inari Age (いなりあげ, 稲荷あげ) is Japanese fried tofu pouches or aburaage (油揚げ). It is cooked in a sweet-savory sauce, which usually contains soy sauce, sugar, and mirin.

What Is Inari Age

Inari age is seasoned tofu pouches, also known as aburaage. The aburaage is made of deep-fried firm tofu, and the pockets are sturdy to pack with rice or vegetables. While traditionally, you would simmer the aburaage, in this modern-day convenience, you can skip the cooking step and buy it already seasoned.

How To Use

The Japanese use it for Inari Sushi and Kitsune Udon. I like to make my own when I have time, but most Japanese cooks use the commercial variety for convenience. As they are already cooked and seasoned, you just need to squeeze the excess liquid, and it’s ready to use.

Where To Buy

Homemade Inari Age Recipe

To make homemade inari age, you need aburaage and pantry-friendly Japanese condiments. The best thing about homemade tofu pouches is that you can adjust the sweetness, and the flavor is more rounded than the store-bought ones. Wish to learn more about Japanese cooking? Sign up for our free newsletter to receive cooking tips & recipe updates! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram.