Hodo Soy Beanery at our Palo Alto farmers market

For another inimitable source of fresh tofu, wander through the lively, jostling crowd at the California Avenue’s Sunday farmers market to reach the Hodo Soy Beanery stand. Once there, brush aside the leafy carrot tops escaping from your neighbor’s canvas bag and sample an array of organic artisan soy products.

The essentials—fresh tofu and soymilk—are simple, pure-tasting, and utterly fresh. The company’s creativity shines in their ready-to-eat dishes, including soy omlettes, chewy, flavorful tofu jerky, and soy noodle salads with touches of cilantro, sesame, or spice. The Kung Pao Yuba Salad is smoky and delicious, with a crunch of peanuts that complements the softer tofu. Their delicate sheets of yuba make excellent spring roll wrappers.

“Hodo” means “good bean” in Chinese; I cannot accuse this company of false advertising.

Hodo also has stands at several San Francisco farmers markets, and their new Beanery in Oakland—a candy factory and bakery in previous incarnations—apparently offers tours.