Description
A traditional breakfast soup loved across Northern China alongside fried dough. 'Nao' means brain, referring to the extra-soft, brain-like fluffy tofu pudding. Unlike Southern sweet 'Dou Hua', this is drenched in a salty, savory soy-based gravy (Lu) containing wood ears and dried shrimp.
Restaurants serving Dou Fu Nao (Northern Tofu Pudding with Savory Gravy)
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We are researching restaurants that serve this dish.
On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Tofu pudding
- Soy sauce
- Wood ears
- Dried shrimp(or pork)
- Potato starch
- Eggs
- Chili oil
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- Boil rich unsweetened soy milk, add coagulant, and rest to create extra-soft fluffy tofu pudding.
- Boil chicken broth; add rehydrated shiitake, wood ears, lily flowers, and minced pork.
- Season with soy, salt, and star anise.
- Thicken heavily with starch slurry. Drizzle in beaten egg to form ribbons.
- Use a large flat ladle to skim thin layers of tofu into a bowl without breaking them.
- Drench with the boiling savory gravy. Garnish with chili oil, garlic, and cilantro.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Savory soy gravy infused with umami of dried shrimp and shiitake
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Pour homemade savory gravy over JP warm Oboro Tofu
Pairing
You Tiao (Fried Dough) / Baozi(Meat Buns)
Trivia
The biggest catalyst for the eternal 'North vs South Debate' on the Chinese internet. Northerners fiercely argue 'Tofu pudding MUST be savory!', while Southerners insist 'It MUST be sweet!'
Eating tips & etiquette
Scoop with a spoon. The tofu requires no chewing, sliding down the throat with the thick gravy. Dipping You Tiao (fried dough) into this salty gravy is the ultimate Northern breakfast.
Allergen
Soybeans, Wheat, Eggs, Shrimp