tofu

noun

to·​fu ˈtō-(ˌ)fü 

: a soft food product prepared by treating soybean milk with coagulants (such as magnesium chloride or diluted acids) : bean curd

… tofu is our most versatile form of nonanimal concentrated protein, as well as the least processed and the most traditional.

—Mark Bittman

The tofu … was sliced uniformly and stacked neatly in the bowl of clear, seafood-flavored broth.

—Karen Hayes

Vegetarian cooking has never been so simple. Supermarkets carry packaged convenience foods like tofu hot dogs …

—Norine Dworkin

Examples of tofu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The traditional filling is red or green chile beef, but nowadays pork, chicken, corn and even tofu are commonly used. —Jessica Boehm, Axios, 13 Dec. 2024

It's noted that Inmates also have the option of hot and sour tofu and assorted holiday pies to accompany their meals. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024

Try crumbled tofu with veggies to make a savory breakfast scramble. —Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024

Soy milk is curdled in a salty solution but not squeezed or drained like the spongey bricks of tofu familiar to most Westerners. —Bradley Hohulin, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Japanese tōfu

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tofu

noun

to·​fu ˈtō-fü 

: a soft food product prepared by coagulating soybean milk

called also bean curd