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

Things to do 🧑‍🍳Famous chef Roy Choi traverses Los Angeles for lobster noodles and spicy tofu. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Puree firm or extra-firm silken tofu to make a substitute for thickening sauces and soups. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026

Beans and lentils provide fiber, while tofu, nuts, and fatty fish provide unsaturated fats. — Lindsey Desoto, HEALTH, 20 Aug. 2026

Slide a paring knife around edges of tofu to loosen and turn over onto a shallow bowl or a plate with a lip. — Hana Asbrink, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Aug. 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