Stinky Tofu: And the Same To You Too!
Stinky tofu, which is actually a form of fermented tofu, is manufactured and prepared in a myriad of ways depending on the region where it is sold...
International | Beinjing | China  Updated On: 9/1/2008   [Total Votes: 320, Hits: 3251] Print

What is stinky tofu and why is it such a popular treat in Taiwan, Indonesia and China?

Stinky tofu, which is actually a form of fermented tofu, is manufactured and prepared in a myriad of ways depending on the region where it is sold.

The strong odor is formidable to say the very least and not for the faint of heart. Stinky tofu is a very popular snack in East and Southeast Asia where it is easily found with no place to hide at night markets or roadside stands.

The words, "stinky tofu," are a direct translation from the Mandarin term, 'chou doufu'. Chou does not translate negatively, like stinky, and is considered a description rather than a judgment of the unmistakable odor.

Usually marinated in a brine made from fermented vegetables for as long as several months, the potent marinade can also include greens, bamboo shoots, herbs and dried shrimp.

Once, stinky tofu was a military staple for soldiers patrolling China's borders.

From a distance, it is said that rotting garbage is as close as one can come to describing the smell of stinky tofu. Some also say "baby poo" and "hellacious" come a bit closer.

Its flavor is very mild, and some claim it is similar to blue cheese (on non-garbage, pick-up days), Afficianados swear that the worse it smells, the better the flavor.

Stinky tofu can be steamed, eaten cold, stewed or fried, which is the most common form of preparation. Usually served with a chili sauce on the side, the color of stinky tofu varies from golden fried to the black typical of Hunan-style preparation.

In Hong Kong, stinky tofu is a trademark street food along with fish and beef balls, which are deep fried and eaten with hoisin sauce. Sold by the bag, it is guaranteed to contain almost enough grease to oil a diesel truck.

New fizzy drink - made from cow urine [Vote Average: 3, Total Votes: 76, Hits: 1520]
India's Hindu nationalist movement says it is in the final stages of developing a new soft drink made from cow urine...
New Delhi | India
Updated On: 2/12/2009
Print: Read On...

Foreigner charged Rs 2,500 for a samosa at Sonepur fair [Vote Average: 3, Total Votes: 160, Hits: 1389]
Two foreigners were saved from being duped of Rs 10,000 for consuming just four 'samosas' at the world famous Sonepur cattle fair in Bihar...
Sonepur | India
Updated On: 11/19/2008
Print: Read On...

Where Tigers eat grass [Vote Average: 3, Total Votes: 254, Hits: 2726]
This tiger at Ahmedabad’s Kamla Nehru Zoo gives a break to his fangs and chews on greens like the other carnivores of this zoo and zoos across the country...
Ahmedabad | India
Updated On: 11/10/2008
Print: Read On...

World largest, heaviest emerald displayed in Hong Kong [Vote Average: 3, Total Votes: 177, Hits: 5476]
This is one of the largest and heaviest emeralds in the world...
Hong Kong | China
Updated On: 6/17/2008
Print: Read On...

Olympic Pandas land in Beijing [Vote Average: 3, Total Votes: 214, Hits: 2179]
Eight giant pandas, the "Olympic Pandas" chosen by netizens, were flown to Beijing from Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province...
Beijing | China
Updated On: 6/4/2008
Print: Read On...

Chocolate ornaments appear in Hong Kong [Vote Average: 3, Total Votes: 631, Hits: 3735]
Many chocolate ornaments exhibited here were shown to public for the first time...
Updated On: 2/29/2008
Print: Read On...

Herbal samosas for health-conscious [Vote Average: 3, Total Votes: 321, Hits: 3136]
6000 deep fried samosas are produced each day and two lakh per month...
Simour | India
Updated On: 2/28/2008
Print: Read On...

Start the day with a bang! [Vote Average: 3, Total Votes: 427, Hits: 1862]
A Hong Kong design company has come up with the ultimate breakfast for wannabe gangsters - gun-shaped eggs...
Updated On: 2/22/2008
Print: Read On...

PRINT  TOP