Huaiyuan Tofu Curtain

Huaiyuan Tofu Curtain

　　Huaiyuan Tofu Curtain is a famous specialty from Huaiyuan Ancient Town in Chongzhou, Chengdu, Sichuan Province. It is made by preparing edible soybean milk from high-quality soybeans, then adding an appropriate amount of brine to thicken it. The mixture is stirred with a brush, then layered with fine cloth and tofu curd in a wooden mold lined with gauze, filtered, and formed. Because of its curtain-like shape, it is named “tofu curtain.”

　　Huaiyuan Tofu Curtain has a long history. It is said to have been first produced during the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty, boasting over 500 years of history. Due to being naturally fermented through microbial inoculation and limited by local water, soil, and climatic conditions, it is only produced within a five-li radius of Huaiyuan Town (formerly known as Ancient Fen Zhou) in Chongzhou, Chengdu. It cannot be replicated elsewhere, which is why it has been hailed by scholars and food connoisseurs throughout the ages as one of the “Three Treasures of Shu Zhou,” now commonly referred to as one of the “Three Treasures of Huaiyuan” (the Three Treasures being Frozen Cake, Leaf Rice Dumpling, and Tofu Curtain). 7v9

　　The production process of Huaiyuan Tofu Curtain is unique. First, edible soybean milk is made from high-quality soybeans, then an appropriate amount of brine is added to thicken it. The mixture is stirred with a brush, then layered with fine cloth and tofu curd in a wooden mold lined with gauze, filtered, and formed. Because of its curtain-like shape, it is named “tofu curtain.” 7v9

　　Huaiyuan Tofu Curtain comes in two types: “Dry Curtain” and “Water Curtain.” 7v9

　　1. The Dry Curtain is made by rolling the extracted curtain-shaped tofu into a cylinder, placing it in a wooden mold to air-dry, allowing it to naturally grow mold. The mold has fine, dense fuzz about 1.5 cm long, snow-white like silver, and is ready to be used in about four days. Fresh “curtain” can be cooked in various ways: fried, baked, grilled, stewed, or steamed. After frying, it can be prepared as Fish-Flavored Curtain or Five-Spice Curtain. 7v9

　　2. The Water Curtain is made by directly cooking the extracted curtain-shaped tofu. It can be prepared as Clear-Stewed Curtain or Fresh Curtain Strips, suitable for both meat and vegetarian dishes. Its texture is delicate, and its flavor is unique—offering the richness of chicken soup without the greasiness. 7v9

　　In recent years, locals in Huaiyuan have deep-fried the curtain with cooking oil until crispy, mixed it with sesame, sweet sauce, and other seasonings, and sealed it for preservation. Even after six months, its color, aroma, and taste remain as fresh. Dubbed “artificial vegetable protein chicken” by food critics, Huaiyuan Tofu Curtain is a delicious dish suitable for all seasons and a premium choice for banquets and gifts. 7v9