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

Replace red meat or poultry with legumes, tofu, or lentils, then pair with a whole grain and vegetables. —Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2025

Toss tofu sticks in a mix of cornstarch, spices, and sesame seeds. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 25 Sep. 2025

Make a cheesecake with silken tofu. —Audrey Bruno, SELF, 25 Sep. 2025

Raw, cured, seared and dry-aged fish arrive one after the other; a recent menu also included sea urchin, savory egg custard with snow crab and marbled tofu. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 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