Method for producing cheese or cheese-like foodstuff

A method for producing cheese or a cheese-like food, the method comprising:

• (1) using at least one raw material selected from the group consisting of an animal raw material and a plant raw material;
• (2) a step including (2-1), (2-2), or (2-3):
• (2-1) after the step (1), adding a Penicillium spore to the raw material, then preparing a coagulum, and then finely dividing the coagulum,
• (2-2) after the step (1), preparing a coagulum from the raw material, then adding a Penicillium spore to the coagulum, and finely dividing the Penicillium spore-added coagulum, or
• (2-3) after the step (1), preparing a coagulum from the raw material, then finely dividing the coagulum, and adding a Penicillium spore thereto;
• and
• (3) after the step (2), further proliferating a Penicillium hypha in the coagulum and substantially coalescing the coagulum.