Image Credit to: eaterystreet
In night markets all over Malaysia, there’s a high change that you’ll see a stall selling soybean milk and this delicious treat – taufufa. Sure, this may be just a little snack to enjoy every now and then, but did you know that there is more to this Chinese snack than what meets the eye? Let us get to know today’s dish of the day!
What is Taufufa?
Taufufa can be known as ‘douhua’ in Mandarin, tofu pudding, or soybean pudding. Taufufa is actually a very soft type of tofu, despite not looking much like the tofu dishes that one might order in restaurants or other eateries.
The beauty of taufufa is that its plain flavour can be mixed with many kinds of condiments to create different tastes. Taufufa sold in one location may be salty, while sweet in the other. There may also be places where you’d find taufufa that tastes spicy!
Overall, taufufa would taste like a silky smooth snack that can be enjoyed without much chewing at all. Made with soy milk and cornflour, a typical taufufa can be prepared in just half an hour!
If you are looking to get your next taufufa snack from eateries and food establishments, you may find it sold in stalls or even special eateries selling soybean products where other snacks are also sold. It’s such a common snack in the city that you can even find it in shopping malls!
History of Taufufa
While there isn’t much written about the history of taufufa, it is believed that taufufa came into existence during the Western Han Dynasty in ancient China. At the time, only tofu was created. There wasn’t a dish known as taufufa yet, but the cooks have started to modify tofu to their liking and preferences.
From the creation of tofu, came the unique tastes of stinky tofu, steamed tofu, pickled tofu and more! Taufufa was among these modified tofu dishes! Today, taufufa can be found in many forms and paired with all sorts of syrups and condiments in China and Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia!
Don’t be afraid to try each country’s variation of taufufa. While the combination of soft tofu with a foreign-sounding syrup may sound intimidating at first, you might find yourself liking them later on!
As you might expect, the name of this delicacy varies from place to place. Even in Malaysia, the term can differ based on various Chinese dialects! For example, Hokkien-speaking Penangites know this snack as ‘tau hua’ instead of the usual tau fu fa that we know it as!
Types of Taufufa
One of the most popular variations of taufufa is known as the Shanshui taufufa. This variation originated in Hong Kong, and you can recognise it by the way the soft tofu is submerged in brown sugar syrup.
In places such as Taiwan, taufufa is served with ginger syrup instead of the typical sugar syrup. You can also find this versatile snack served with chilli oil, nuts, black sesame paste, coconut milk and many more!
Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia countries such as Malaysia and Singapore, you will find your snack served with a simple clear and sweet syrup and some gingko seeds in it.
While most of these varieties are sold in bowls and packaged in plastic containers, the Philippines have their version, known as taho, sold a little differently. Don’t be shocked when you’re served taho in a plastic cup!
Where to Find Taufufa in Malaysia
You can find taufufa in supermarkets, night markets and other stalls serving soy-based products. There are also places which exclusively selling soy products, such as the Tau Fu Fah Station in Petaling Jaya! If you’re looking for special varieties of taufufa, you can also check out Bean Factory in Kuala Lumpur.