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

But a barrage of Stop Sales riddled the contents of the uncool flip- top cooler with raw shrimp, cooked shrimp, egg rolls, tofu, raw beef and beef tendon all measuring at least 12 degrees above 41 degrees. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026

Some tofu is made with calcium salts, such as calcium sulfate, which help firm it and boost its calcium content. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 17 Apr. 2026

Pairs well with chicken or tofu. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026

Homemade dashi meets tofu, seaweed, and scallions in this foundational Japanese dish. —Saveur Editors, Saveur, 15 Apr. 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