Mapo Tofu
麻婆豆腐A spicy and numbing Sichuan dish featuring silky tofu and minced meat in a complex sauce
About the Dish
Mapo Tofu is a famous Sichuan dish that combines the numbing sensation of Sichuan peppercorns with the heat of chili peppers. The dish's name literally means "pockmarked grandmother's tofu," referring to the story of its creation by a woman with smallpox scars who ran a restaurant in Chengdu.
Key Ingredients
- Soft tofu
- Ground pork
- Doubanjiang (fermented broad bean paste)
- Sichuan peppercorns
- Garlic and ginger
- Green onions
- Chili oil
Flavor Profile
The dish is characterized by its numbing spiciness (málà) from Sichuan peppercorns, combined with the umami richness of doubanjiang. The soft tofu provides a silky texture that contrasts with the crispy ground meat.
Cultural Significance
Mapo Tofu represents the ingenuity of Sichuan cuisine in transforming simple ingredients into extraordinary dishes. It has become a globally recognized symbol of Sichuan cooking and continues to be one of the most ordered dishes in Chinese restaurants worldwide.