Tiger-Skin Hairy Tofu

Tiger-Skin Hairy Tofu

　　“Hairy tofu” is a traditional famous dish from Huizhou. It is made by artificially fermenting tofu, causing a layer of white fuzz (white mycelium) to grow on its surface, hence the name “hairy tofu.” During fermentation, the proteins in the tofu break down into various amino acids, resulting in a more delicious taste than regular tofu. It is named “Tiger-Skin Hairy Tofu” because the fuzz, after being pan-fried, forms stripes resembling a tiger’s skin. The dish is prepared by first pan-frying the hairy tofu until both sides are golden brown, then simmering it with seasonings. It is typically served with chili sauce. This dish is rich, savory, and refreshing, with a fragrant aroma, offering a uniquely delightful dining experience.

According to legend, Zhu Yuanzhang once suffered a military defeat in Huizhou and fled to the Xiuning area. Starving and desperate, he ordered his attendants to search for food. One attendant found several pieces of tofu hidden by fleeing civilians in a haystack, but the tofu had fermented and grown fuzz. With no other options, the attendant roasted the fuzzy tofu over charcoal and served it to Zhu Yuanzhang. To his surprise, the tofu tasted extraordinarily delicious, and Zhu was very pleased. After turning the defeat into victory, he commanded the army chefs to prepare hairy tofu as a reward for his troops, and thus “hairy tofu” became a longstanding specialty of Huizhou.