Pingyuan Tofu in Spicy Broth 平原老豆腐
Pingyuan Tofu in Spicy Broth is featured among the local specialties of Shandong.
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Pingyuan Tofu in Spicy Broth (平原老豆腐) is a breakfast dish of soft bean curd served with a seasoned broth, from Pingyuan County (平原县) in Dezhou (德州), Shandong. The Pingyuan county government says the county's tofu is known far and wide, that there are many producers, and that its taste makes it a first choice for breakfast with young and old alike.
How it is made
According to Chinese Wikipedia, what marks out the Pingyuan version among the local foods of Dezhou's counties is a broth simmered with wheat gluten (面筋). At Wang Ji (王记老豆府), the best-known maker, the curd is made from selected soybeans and served with a broth simmered to the house's own recipe.
Flavour and texture
The county government describes Wang Ji's curd as white and glossy, tender without falling apart, and rich without being greasy. The broth is spicy but not harsh, its oil is clear yet the taste is not thin, and it tastes of meat without any gamey smell.
Best-known maker
The county says many visitors from outside the county make a point of eating Wang Ji's tofu at breakfast. In 2004 Wang Ji's tofu received the title of Shandong Famous Snack (山东名小吃).