豆腐 (dòufu) · tofu; bean curd

Measure Word

一块豆腐 kuài

Meanings

1 tofu; bean curd

About the ingredient

Soybean curd pressed into white blocks. Soft tofu (嫩豆腐) is silky and breaks easily; firm tofu (老豆腐) holds its shape for frying and braising.

Contains soy

Used in 21 dishes

岐山臊子面 Qíshān sàozimiàn

砂锅鱼头 shāguōyútóu

麻辣烫 málàtàng

小葱拌豆腐 xiǎocōngbàndòufu

西湖牛肉羹 Xīhú niúròugēng

海带豆腐汤 hǎidài dòufutāng

青菜豆腐汤 qīngcài dòufutāng

客家酿豆腐 Kèjiā niàngdòufu

煎酿三宝 jiānniàng sānbǎo

白菜豆腐汤 báicài dòufutāng

砂锅豆腐 shāguō dòufu

鲍汁豆腐 bàozhī dòufu

椒盐豆腐 jiāoyán dòufu

Characters

rotten; fermented; curd

Literally 'bean curd' - tofu.

Examples

HSK 2

麻婆豆腐是四川名菜。

Mápódòufu shì Sìchuān míngcài.

Mapo tofu is a famous Sichuan dish.

HSK 5

豆腐很有营养。

Dòufu hěn yǒu yíngyǎng.

Tofu is very nutritious.

HSK 7-9

她喜欢吃凉拌豆腐。

Tā xǐhuan chī liángbàn dòufu.

She likes to eat cold tofu salad.

Tips

culture

Tofu was invented in China over 2,000 years ago, traditionally attributed to 刘安 of the Han Dynasty. There are countless varieties: 嫩豆腐 (soft tofu), 老豆腐 (firm tofu), 豆腐干 (dried tofu), 臭豆腐 (stinky tofu).

usage

The idiom 刀子嘴豆腐心 means 'sharp tongue but soft heart' - literally 'knife mouth, tofu heart'. It describes someone who sounds harsh but is actually kind.