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

On Yelp, customers love the pork vermicelli bowl, beef pho and tofu spring rolls. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026

For lunch, eat a low-carbohydrate meal, such as half a bowl of mixed grains, tofu, fish, raw fish, seafood, tuna, chicken (without the skin), eggs, mushrooms, and seaweed. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 29 June 2026

The velvety sauce combines peanut butter, coconut cream, ginger, and garlic, coating every piece of tofu with nutty, lip-smacking flavor. — Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 June 2026

Fresh herbs, julienned carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, shrimp, pork, tofu, and rice vermicelli noodles are common stars. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 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