Sichuan Mapo Tofu

Sichuan Mapo Tofu

　　Mapo Tofu was created by Madam Liu, the wife of Chen Senfu (also said to be named Chen Fuchun), the owner of a small restaurant near Wanfu Bridge in the northern suburbs of Chengdu in the early years of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty. Madam Liu had pockmarks on her face and was thus nicknamed "Pockmarked Madam Chen." The braised tofu she created came to be known as "Pockmarked Madam Chen’s Tofu." Books such as "Chengdu Bamboo Branch Lyrics" and "Furong Reminiscences" document the history of Pockmarked Madam Chen and the creation of Mapo Tofu. Mapo Tofu is made with tender tofu and minced beef. The finished dish has a bright red color, with tender white tofu, and is characterized by being "numbing, spicy, fresh, hot, tender, firm (referring to the shape), and crispy (referring to the minced beef)."