Tofu was invented in China over 2,000 years ago, traditionally attributed to Liu An 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).
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The idiom 刀子嘴豆腐心 (dāozi zuǐ dòufu xīn) means 'sharp tongue but soft heart' — literally 'knife mouth, tofu heart'. It describes someone who sounds harsh but is actually kind.
