Qicun Second Street Tofu

Qicun Second Street Tofu

　　Qicun Second Street tofu in Zaozhuang has a long history. Legend has it that over two thousand years ago, Liu An, the King of Huainan during the Western Han Dynasty, sought an elixir of immortality. In Qicun Second Street, Zaozhuang, he used the local spring water, soybeans, and brine to create a miraculous medicine. Though he failed to produce the elixir, he accidentally invented tofu, which came to be known as “Qicun Second Street Tofu.” Locals prepare this tofu with bamboo shoots and shrimp to create a dish that has been enjoyed through the ages. Dr. Sun Yat-sen wrote in The International Development of China: “Vegetarians in China must eat tofu. Indeed, tofu is the meat of the plant world—possessing the benefits of meat without its toxins.” Therefore, tofu dishes rank above other vegetarian options in China and remain delicious even after repeated consumption.