Dushan Mountain Tofu

Dushan Mountain Tofu

　　Dushan Mountain Tofu is a specialty food from Liangjiatai Township, Kuancheng Manchu Autonomous County, Chengde City, Hebei Province. It gets its name because Liangjiatai Township is located at the foot of Dushan Mountain.

　　 Texture and Taste

　　 It resembles tofu pudding. It is pure white, crystal-clear, and nearly transparent. It is served in small, shallow, boat-shaped containers woven from peeled willow strips. The containers are placed on a basin to drain excess liquid. Visually pleasing; fragrantly aromatic when smelled; smooth and delicate on the palate. When paired with red chili peppers, fresh coriander, and chopped scallions, along with seasonings such as salt, MSG, and sesame oil, it is rich yet not greasy, leaving a long-lasting aftertaste.

　　 Ingredients and Preparation

　　 The soy milk, after being filtered to remove residue, is heated in a wood-fired pot until boiling. It is then slightly cooled to a moderate temperature, and a proper amount of brine is added to coagulate it into curds. It is not removed from the pot, keeping the temperature stable. The water used comes from natural sources originating in Dushan Mountain, and the best results come from using locally grown Kuancheng soybeans ground with a stone mill.