Screwed Tofu

Screwed Tofu

　　Zhu Family Screwed Tofu is a traditional snack from Baoding, originally produced by “Zhu Yuhe Tofu Shop.” Though the shop was small, it had a big reputation—many restaurants and cured meat shops sold Zhu Family Screwed Tofu, and it was even one of the Six Famous Delicacies of Baoding’s Liuwèi Zhai at the time. Shopkeeper Zhu was from Fengrun, Tangshan, and his family had been in the tofu business for generations.

　　　　Before the Republic of China era, the Zhu Yuhe family moved from Fengrun to Baoding. They rented a storefront opposite the Big Flagpole, in the area of Shengfu Street, and hung a sign that read “Zhu Yuhe Tofu Shop.” The business thrived. At the time, the old proprietors of Huaimao and Shibaozhai were both regular customers.

　　During the Republican period, Cao Kun, who worked at the Zhili Viceroy’s Office, often sent people to buy their tofu. After Zhu Yuhe passed away, his son Zhu Baoqi moved the whole family to No. 42 Shuangcai Street to continue the tofu business. In 1958, during the public-private partnership movement, Zhu Yuhe Tofu Shop was incorporated into the vegetable company. Later, due to a shortage of bean supply, products such as Screwed Tofu were discontinued, and Zhu Yuhe was transferred to work at the meat processing plant. After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, inspired by the reform and opening-up policies, the Zhu family reopened their tofu shop, and the traditional delicacy of Zhu Family Screwed Tofu regained its former glory.