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Stinky tofu (Chinese: 臭豆腐; pinyin: chòu dòufu) is a form of fermented tofu, which, as the name suggests, has a strong odor. It is a popular snack in East Asia and particularly China mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, where it is usually found at night markets or roadside stands, or as a side dish in lunch bars.
Wide regional and individual variations exist in manufacture and preparation. Most typically, it consists of tofu which has been marinated in a brine made from fermented vegetables for as long as several months. It can be eaten cold, steamed, stewed, or most commonly, fried. It is often accompanied by chili sauce.
From a distance, the odor of stinky tofu is said to resemble that of sewage or a garbage dump, even by its enthusiasts. In spite of stinky tofu's smell, the flavor is surprisingly mild. Some have compared it to the taste of blue cheese.
Stinky tofu is said to have been a favorite food of Mao Zedong.