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

Best for chicken breasts, salad veggies, silken tofu, bread, and dairy. —Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026

Dinners take place in traditional nomad tents around the communal fire pit, and range from steaming hot pots with yak meat, mushrooms and tofu to haute-Tibetan tasting menus with wild vegetables in corn foam, tsampa grissini, and lamb shoulder with yak yogurt glaze and salsa verde. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026

Sprouts, cut tomatoes, rice noodles and tofu were found above proper cold holding temperature. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado april 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026

The avocado toast starts with fluffy brioche and tops it with creamy avocado, pickled veg, crispy tofu and a scallion oil. —Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 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