Fans may remember that in Initial D, Jay Chou’s (周杰伦) character drove a car with the name “Fujiwara Tofu Shop” (藤原豆腐) printed on it? After the film, Jay purchased that car for $510,000 Yuan. After all these years, Jay finally opened a Fujiwara Tofu Shop, which opened in Taipei, Taiwan on January 6, 2012!
A recent tabloid photographed Jay’s rumored girlfriend, Hannah Quinlivan’s mother working at Fujiwara Tofu Shop from 4 PM until 10 PM. Tabloids speculated that Jay allowed his future mother-in-law to manage the shop for him. Subsequently, the manager at Fujiwara Tofu Shop clarified that Hannah’s mother was only there to help out, “This is Mr. J’s concept restaurant. The shareholders are the same shareholders [in Jay's restaurant operations]. Hannah and her mother only receive a 10% discount.”
Jay Chou Expands Conglomerate Empire
It was understood that Fujiwara Tofu Shop was the third restaurant in Jay’s restaurant group. Inside the Fujiwara Tofu Shop were photos from Jay’s film, Initial D. The restaurant featured Japanese cuisine and was moderately priced level. Since Jay loved cool things, he parked his AE86 vehicle (which he drove in Initial D) in front of the restaurant, which made a very striking image!
Since Jay often came in contact with tofu everyday in his film, he possessed a desire to open a tofu shop in Taipei. “Although there are many snack offerings in Taipei, the taste of Fujiwara Tofu Shop is very special. I am not afraid of comparison. In the future, we can open branch locations in mainland China too!”
In addition to his restaurant operations, Jay opened a karaoke establishment in Xian, China last month. Allegedly, the karaoke business was brisk due to Jay’s own appeal and the mid-range prices. During the karaoke’s promotional period, customers holding a genuine copy of Jay’s CD were allowed to sing for free for several hours. “Whether or not the karaoke makes money does not matter. This is a type of enjoyment in life. Opening a restaurant or investing in record companies do not matter. The most important thing is that he wants to fight for everything related to the entertainment sector,” a staff told the media.
Source: 21CN.com
Jayne: Jay’s Fujiwara Tofu Shop sounds interesting. He reportedly owns a mega mansion in Beverly Hills, USA. Perhaps his staff is correct that at this stage in life, he’ll just spend money where he desires to do so, without money being the primary factor.
Tags: Hannah Quinlivan, Jay Chou
Tofu shop with japanese cuisine concept?
Anyway he can afford to spend.
Funn,
Jay’s tofu restaurant sounds quite cool. I’m a big fan of tofu, especially steamed tofu. Tofu has an indescribably luxurious texture. Many Japanese and Korean restaurants in NYC tout homemade tofu as their restaurant specialities.
Jayne, you like Japanese tofu or Chinese tofu? And of Chinese tofu, which one you like?
Korean tofu… not very familiar.
Funn,
I like silky tofu, steamed and in broth is good. Korean spicy tofu broth is very yummy! I like tofu dessert too (tofu fa). I also like dried bean curd sticks, so it’s the soybean flavor that I like too.
Not a fan of firm tofu, the type you pan fry for tofu patties.
I like to buy different brands of silky tofu, as the strength of the soybean taste is different. I like to switch around for different flavors. I switch between Korean and Chinese brands (Vitasoy Silken San Sui tofu). The extra soft ones that come in pouches/bags are good too.
Btw, below is my favorite Asian recipe site. She has a really good steamed tofu w/ minced pork recipe:
http://rasamalaysia.com/30-minute-meal-steamed-tofu-with-ground/
Not a huge fan of tofu, probably because I have it almost every day. I like the hard type yellow ish though fry with vege and some pork. The recipe you posted is what I always have, except usually what I have is one huge half sphere looking silky white tofu, can be cold or hot, poured onto fry onion with fry onion oil mixed with what’s that sauce called… thick soy sauce. No meat, nothing. Not that oily really! Not a fan though.
Ahhh Korean tofu, yes the one inside those kimchi soup.
Funn,
So you are eating tofu for meals like how some people eat salads? Not so much that they love the taste, but because it is okay and healthy?
I find that my favorite foods are also my family’s favorite foods. The family staples such as tofu, lotus root, sweet potatoes, wintermelon, taro etc. are also my favorites.
My favourite tofu recipe is cold tofu mixed with century egg.
That was my signature dish in uni.
Don’t even need to use the stove or knife. Just tofu, century egg and a fork and mash everything into bits
Nicole, I notice that is Beijing favourite style! Quite ok.
No no Jayne not Salad style. Eat with rice. No stir fry, pan fry, just take out the tofu, I suppose steam it, (if you wnat cold then put in fridge), then pour hot fried onion oil on top mixed with thick soy sauce and then some fried onion, chopped green onion. That’s it. Never thought it is salad though!
Beijing style is chop up the silky tofu, cool it, put in fridge and put vold century egg on top. Actually quite nice, kinda salty and yet not so. Again not a fan of tofu. I do like tofu fa though, with ginger sweet sugary sauce. However also nice with Gula Melaka as in errr.. what is it called in English?? Or put with those HK sweet dessert like peanut paste, etc. And now you know why I can never ever be slim!
Funn,
I meant to say that many women I know would eat salads for lunch everyday, not because they love raw greens, but to stay slim and healthy. I know you didn’t mean to eat tofu salad, but that tofu is your staple, just as how salad is staple for many people.
Like many people, I find food to be one of the greatest pleasures in life. I don’t like fast foods (haven’t eaten McDonald’s in years), soda, and other foods with lots of fillers and preservatives. I enjoy food that is natural in taste.
I love dining out, trying different foods. A meal is a sensory experience. Looking at beautiful food photography makes my mouth water. I’m the type that would frame food photographs in my home. heheh….
You can eat and stay in decent shape as long as there is portion control and some exercise to balance it out.
Funn, that style is quite popular in many parts of China I think. I grew up with a Shanghainese palate, and that’s part of it.
Nicole,
“Don’t even need to use the stove or knife.”
Cooking takes an audience. Maybe one day you will find someone that you truly want to cook for, who will appreciate your hand assembled mastery over the stove.
I didn’t truly cook until I was in my twenties. I had watched my sister cook when I was younger, thus understood how to prep the food and what things go well with each other. But my parents didn’t really like my experimental recipes. If I didn’t make it just like my mom, my parents thought that my cooking need improvement.
The problem I have with dining out is not only that it’s expensive, but restaurant recipes also tend to be greasy and heavy in calories. Also we tend to eat larger portions than our usual fare; if they serve it, we’ll eat it all. At least, I don’t throw much to waste when I am dining out.
I learned the hard way that buffets are not for me.
@Jayne
Don’t worry. That was my signature dish in University, with no time to eat or sleep. 5 years down the road, I’ve picked up domestic skills in cooking and baking. Packed lunch and dinner almost everyday.
Lunching out tends to be fattening and unhealthy in most establishments, and while organic food and salad shops can be found easily in the city, their prices are way too high for something quickly assembled for less than half its price.
However, chilled tofu mixed with century egg is still a favourite, a nostalgic reminder of childhood.
My favourite kind of tofu is what describe by Funn
“just take out the tofu, I suppose steam it, (if you wnat cold then put in fridge), then pour hot fried onion oil on top mixed with thick soy sauce and then some fried onion, “
Followed closely my Mapo tofu. But, not everyone can cook Mapo tofu well.
Eating too much tofu for a guy is bad! Skin complexion might look good but he might develop man breast and not so good down there if you know what I mean.
Eh? eh tofu is healthy!
Tofu has a low calorie count, relatively large amounts of protein, and little fat. Eating too much can still cause overweight but with reasonable amount, it is really good for health.
Yeah, Tofu helps develop female hormone.
That picture makes it look like the shop is located in an alley.
Too bad he didn’t park the white tofu shop car in the front. That would be pretty cool.
What’s with all the garbage on the side of the restaurant? Doesn’t look appealing at all if you ask me.
Tofu… I thought he’s going to open a strip joint.
Larry,
Tofu is exciting for some food enthusiasts you know!
lol but a star selling tofu is unique
I think it says japanese cusine so maybe tofu is just one part. I just realised so many stars open restaurants, mostly mid priced range which is good since fans can go there and sit and eat and stuff.
That picture of the shop should be from the movie right? It’s not Jay’s actual shop I believe.
Haha, I do have several of Jay’s albums, I’d like to go sing for free at his karaoke! He should open one in HK
Eunice,
Do you live in HK? Probably many chances to see Jay Chou there. He was recently there to promote “The Viral Factor.”
Oops, I replied below.
Nope, I’m in Canada. But it’s easier for me to get to HK than Mainland China.