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

Inspectors measured yellowtail, tuna, cooked chicken, tofu and gyoza outside of safe temperature ranges. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2025

People can add pork belly, pulled pork or tofu to any of the dishes for $4. —Linh Ta, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025

Along with its vintage grocery store facade and a cozy neighborhood feel, the restaurant has an extensive menu of filling entrees — with everything from the house favorite huevos rancheros to a tofu burrito and biscuits and gravy. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2025

Tay Ho is also known for their garlic noodles, served with steak, chicken, shrimp or tofu and mushrooms. —Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2025

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