How to Read a Tofu Label like a Bean Curd Boss

I've been professionally writing about tofu and developing tofu recipes since 2010. It a wondrous Asian ingredient but communicating how to shop for it isn't easy. How to read a tofu label? It's hard! There's so much information. Add to that, a recipe in a book or online can only contain so much information. You -- the cook, have a certain attention span. But, if you know about (1) tofu textures, (2) coagulants and (3) package weight, you'll be able to read a tofu label like a bean curd boss.

Tofu labels and tofu texture/density

A recipe will suggest a tofu density (firm, extra-firm, etc.) but when you’re shopping, there’s nuance. You can go off-road and choose something else. That's because like sizing for denim jeans and underwear, there’s no standard for tofu textures. What’s firm in one brand may be extra-firm in another. There are subtle in-between situations too. You can guesstimate a tofu block’s texture by:

• Grocery store: Korean markets tend to sell firmer tofu than Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese tofu. There are subtle tofu texture difference between cuisines. What’s labeled as “firm” tofu at a Korean market may be extra-firm tofu elsewhere. Chinese tofu firmness is between that of Korean and Japanese tofu. Japanese “regular” tofu may be firm or medium-firm tofu. Chinese “regular” tofu is mostly "medium-firm.” Viet-style tofu, mostly sold at Little Saigon markets, is akin to a chewy Chinese extra-firm tofu (see the coagulant discussion below).
• Tofu shop customers: If you buy from a small local shop, monitor who their customers are. If a Chinese-own tofu shop sells a lot to non-Asian folks who like firm tofu, the shop’s “regular” tofu may be on the firm or extra-firm side.
• Plastic tub vs. vacuum sealed packaging Any vacuum-sealed tofu will border on being super-firm. To be able to shipped in such packaging means that bean curd block better be super sturdy. It may be labeled “extra-firm” but check the protein count. Boxed tofu is always jello-like; I’d buy it for camping or emergencies because I don’t enjoy it.
• Nutrition labels: Look at the protein count in the nutrition label to understand the tofu’s density. Consider the protein count for each standard 3-ounce serving. Super-firm tofu is about 14g per serving but a tofu producer may decide to label its tofu extra-firm or firm!

For more tips to help you confidently buy and cook up delicious tofu, including a tofu texture cheat chart, tofu coagulant lowdown, and selection pointers, head to the mega newsletter article, How to Decipher Tofu Labels and Be a Better Cook. Subscribe to Pass the Fish Sauce while you at it so you don't miss a thing.

To explore tofu at Viet World Kitchen, there's general tofu information and tofu recipes -- from classic mapo tofu to a gingery Hawaiian tofu salad -- are here.