臭豆腐 (chòudòufu) · stinky tofu, smelly tofu

Measure Word

一块臭豆腐 kuài

Meanings

1 stinky tofu
2 smelly tofu

Made with

About the dish

Fermented tofu with a strong, sharp smell, deep-fried until crisp outside and soft inside, and served with chili sauce, garlic and scallion. It tastes milder than it smells. Changsha's version is usually black.

Usually contains soy

Characters

Examples

HSK 5

臭豆腐闻起来臭，吃起来香。

Chòudòufu wén qǐlai chòu, chī qǐlai xiāng.

Stinky tofu smells foul but tastes great.

HSK 7-9

长沙的臭豆腐是黑色的。

Chángshā de chòudòufu shì hēisè de.

Changsha's stinky tofu is black.

Tips

culture

Iconic street food with regional variants: Changsha's black, fried, and served with chili; Shaoxing's gray-green, fermented in brine. Often described with the phrase 闻着臭，吃着香 ('smells bad, tastes good').

usage

Figuratively, 臭豆腐 can describe a person who seems off-putting but is actually likable - 'rough exterior, lovable inside'.