Lazy Tofu 懒豆腐
Lazy Tofu is featured among the local specialties of Hubei.
Lazy Tofu (懒豆腐) is a soybean-and-greens dish eaten in Shennongjia (神农架). Shennongjia News (神农架新闻网) describes it alongside cornmeal-based mianfan (面饭), a pairing particularly enjoyed by Tujia (土家) households in a mountain region that grows both maize and soybeans.
How it is made
Soybeans are soaked until swollen, then ground into a slurry with a stone mill or a grinding bowl. The slurry is brought to a boil in a pot. Greens and salt are added as the foam rises, making the foam subside.
Where it comes from
Shennongjia News also describes a custom of sharing a freshly made batch with neighbours. A household sends over a bowl of Lazy Tofu, and accepting it expresses friendliness. These exchanges make the dish both everyday food and a small gift that maintains relationships between neighbouring families.
Sources & reading
Written from the linked sources and fact-checked against them on 2026-09-27. Recipes and servings vary between kitchens.
Image credits & notes (1)
- Reference photo of a similar dish · 同类菜品参考照片A similar preparation is pictured; the local version may differ. 同类菜品参考照片，当地做法可能不同。Photo: Archon6812 · CC BY-SA 3.0Resized for the web; the photo itself has not been edited. Thumbnails may show a cropped view.
