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

From the bustling food stalls of Tokyo to the serene tofu temples of Kyoto, each day offers a new opportunity to explore the flavors, rituals, and artistry that define Japanese food culture. —Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Dec. 2025

Meat, chicken bao and tofu lacked proper labels for time as a public control. —Sacbee.com, 3 Dec. 2025

Fish and other lean protein sources, like poultry, beans, tofu, and eggs, also provide iron, zinc, vitamin B12, selenium, and magnesium, Petitpain said. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 3 Dec. 2025

Rather than promoting soy for traditional foods like tofu or soy sauce, early efforts focused on educating livestock feeders to capitalize on growing demand for meat. —Time, 3 Dec. 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