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

By contrast high-protein, low-fat foods — think eggs, fish or tofu — are typically better tolerated. —Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

Firm and extra-firm tofu: Firm tofu can withstand different cooking methods without falling apart. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 28 May 2025

Eating plenty of plant proteins like tofu, beans, and nuts is important. —Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 18 Apr. 2025

Eat it as-is, or get creative with toppings: Yogurt, eggs, meat, and tofu are all fair game. —Sarah Felbin, SELF, 10 June 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