Fermented Tofu (酱豆腐, 腐乳, jiang dou fu, fu ru) is also known as fermented bean curd or preserved tofu. It is a salty condiment in Chinese cuisine. There are many types of fermented tofu. The most common ones are white fermented tofu (白腐乳) and red fermented tofu (红腐乳) for cooking. Fermented tofu has a soft and spreadable texture, and a salty and savory taste resembling that of certain cheeses.
Production of Chinese Tofu “Cheese”
Similar to cheese, fermented tofu is made when several molds are intentionally introduced to tofu and are allowed to grow for a few days. Then, salt and seasonings, such as cinnamon, star anise, chili, ginger, and Chinese liquor (白酒), are added to the tofu. This may marinate for a week, or up to a year, until the tofu has hardened in texture and been infused with a very deep savory flavor.
Fermented tofu is usually likened to cheese, in that it has a stinky smell but tastes great. To sample the flavor of fermented tofu, spread a small amount (1/2 teaspoon) on steamed bun and eat them together.
Use
Fermented tofu can be used in various cooking methods and can also be used as an ingredient in a dipping sauce. It is an important ingredient in Chinese red cooking, where it is used with other spices to make a braising sauce. For an example of red cooking, see my braised pork spare ribs. It is also used in steamed and stir fried dishes.
Fermented tofu can be directly served with congee, steamed buns, and noodles, thus acting as an alternative to salted vegetables or pickles (咸菜, xian cai). It is also used in a dipping sauce for Chinese hot pot.
Be aware that red and white fermented tofu have very different flavors and cannot be used interchangeably in cooking. For Chinese red cooking and most other cooking, the red kind is used. Both red and white can be used in dipping sauces.
Buy
For red fermented tofu (used in dipping sauces and braised dishes), Wang Zhi He is a very famous brand in China, and you can find it on Amazon and in other online stores. White fermented tofu (for dipping sauces) can be found on Amazon, too. Or you could always check out a nearby Chinese market.
Store
Once opened, fermented tofu can be stored in an air-tight jar in the fridge for up to 6 months.
vera
Hi! to store red fermented tofu properly, do the cubes need to be entirely submerged in their own liquid, or that makes no difference?
Maggie Zhu
It’s the best to fully submerge the tofu in their own liquid but it’s not required. The exposed part of tofu will dry out a bit if stored too long.
Vien Ngo
Hi! I have been making your cumin lamb stir fry for years and it is always a hit. I looked up fermented bean curd and I have a question. Are you familiar with the Chinese dish? It involves cooking a whole duck (not sure if boiled or roasted). The duck is then dispatched into individual pieces and these pieces are then marinaded with mashed up red fermented bean curd (red kind has to be used) for a few days (not sure how many days) in room temperature (no refrigeration). Then after so many days, you consume the duck. Are you familiar with this dish and if so, can you direct me to any recipes or if you have one of your own?!?
Maggie Zhu
I’m not familiar with the dish and I just checked it up on Chinese website. Seems like the chopped up duck pieces are boiled first. Then you use aromatics (a combo of ginger garlic and other spices such as star anise) to infuse the oil then add the fermented bean curd to make a sauce. Once done, some people marinate the duck but some people simply braise the duck in the sauce (to shorten the prep time I believe). I think the room temperature marinating method is the traditional way to preserve the duck when fridge was not widely available. I would simply simmer the duck with the bean curd sauce for a quicker result without making the duck super salty. I don’t have a recipe now and I don’t see a reliable one so far. Would love to look into it and develop a recipe 🙂