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

Fish and other lean protein sources, like poultry, beans, tofu, and eggs, also provide iron, zinc, vitamin B12, selenium, and magnesium, Petitpain said. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 15 June 2026

Marinated tofu pockets are stuffed with rich crab meat and fried twice to achieve a thin and crispy shell that perfectly complements the crab meat inside. —Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

To make this, sauté tofu with vegetables like kale, mushrooms, or zucchini. —Brianna Tobritzhofer, Health, 12 June 2026

Fish, vegetables, tofu and even toast have found their way into pellet smokers across the country. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026

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