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

Meat, chicken bao and tofu lacked proper labels for time as a public control. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 21 Nov. 2025

Soy protein, such as tofu, soy milk and tempeh, replaces animal protein to reduce saturated fat intake. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025

Add chicken, beans, tofu, or other proteins for an easy boost. —Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 13 Nov. 2025

Specifically on European routes, JetBlue’s partner, Dig Inn, will offer passengers healthier options like overnight oats or egg salad croissants for breakfast, and ginger garlic tofu with soba noodles or pesto pasta salad for lunch and dinner. —Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 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