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TOFU GLOSSARY
This list represents tofus (or dofus) with the most commonly used english name associated with them. It is by no means comprehensive, but it covers the basics.
Bayie (qianchang): Sheet tofu - Pressed to canvas-thin sheets (the name means "a hundred leaves" or "a thousand sheets")
Bayie jie: Knotted bayie - Same as sheet tofu but cut in strips and knotted
Cho dofu: Stinky tofu - Aged, cured tofu that is deep-fried
Dofu gan: Pressed tofu - In vacuum-packs, or loose, in bulk; in stews, salads and stir-frys
Dofu hua "dohua" (dofu nao): Tender tofu blossom - In tubs, sometimes with a separate container of sweetener, refrigerated; or hot, ladled fresh from cafe and dim sum houses, served in soups or as a dessert (hot or cold)
Donai (dojiang): Soy milk - Plain or sweetened, refrigerated in 1/2 gallon jugs or in aseptic packages; drink cold or warm
Furu (dofu ru): Fermented tofu - Sold in 1-inch squares in jars, the blue cheese equivalent of dairy milk, with many regional variations, some in a chile brine. Served with jook and as a seasoning in various dishes
Fuyie (dofu pi): Tofu film, skin - The dried skin formed by heating soy milk, multi-layered like phyllo to create texture and tenderness; in mock-meat Buddhist preparations
Gansi: Tofu threads - Cut into noodle-fine threads, not used as a substitute for noodles but as a dish for stir-frys, poaching, in salads and stews; also in five-spice flavor
Nun dofu: Silken tofu - In sealed, refrigerated, rectangular tubs; in soups and cold-tossed, dressed and with crunchy toppings
Ruan dofu: Soft tofu - In sealed, refrigerated tubs; in stir-frys, soups and stews
Suji (suyia): Vegetarian chicken, duck - Prepared food made of layers of tofu film; ready to eat
Wuxiang (dofu gan): Five-spice (pressed tofu) - Same as pressed tofu, but dark brown in color
Ying dofu: Firm tofu - In sealed, refrigerated tubs, or water-packed; in stir-frys, deep-fried and in soups
Yiu dofu: Tofu puff - Tofu fried into a puff; in soups, stuffed and braissed or sliced and stir-fried
Za dofu: Fried tofu - In triangles or squares; ready for braising, stuffing and stir-frying or just topped with condiments |
