Burmese tofu

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

To hpu (Burmese tofu), in two forms: fresh and fritters

Burmese tofu (Burmese: ; IPA: [tòpʰú] or [tòhú]) is a food of Shan origin and is different from Chinese tofu which is made from soybeans. Shan tofu is made from yellow split peas and the Burmese version from besan flour.^[1] The flour is mixed with water, a small amount of salt, and turmeric, and stirred constantly in a hot pan until it reaches a creamy consistency. This is then transferred into a tray and allowed to set. It is matte yellow in colour, jelly-like but firm in consistency, and does not crumble when cut or sliced. It may be eaten fresh as a salad or deep fried. It may also be sliced and dried to make crackers for deep frying.

1 Varieties and etymology
2 Preparation
- 2.1 Fried
- 2.2 Salad
3 Notes
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Varieties and etymology

To hpu gyauk (Burmese tofu crackers) are sold in bundles ready for deep frying.

Pè bya (, literally pressed peas) refers to Chinese tofu and is translated into 'beancurd' in English in Myanmar. Stinky tofu or the fermented form of Chinese tofu, however, is called si to hpu, probably a corruption of the Chinese word chòu dòufu.
Won ta hpo is the yellow form of tofu made from yellow split peas or zadaw bè in Shan State.
To hpu gyauk or dried tofu is yellow tofu sliced into a long thin rectangular form and dried in the sun. They are similar to fish or prawn crackers and sold in bundles.
To hpu made from chickpea (kala bè) flour or pè hmont is the common version in mainland Burma. It has the same yellow colour and taste but slightly firmer than Shan tofu.
Hsan ta hpo is still mainly confined to Shan regions, made from rice flour called hsan hmont or mont hmont, and is white in colour. It has the same consistency but slightly different in taste. It is as popular as the yellow form as a salad.

There is no /f/ (as in "French") in the Burmese language; hence, /pʰ/ (as in "prince") is used in to hpu, the Burmese version of "tofu".

[edit] Preparation

[edit] Fried

To hpu gyaw (Burmese tofu fritters) are popular as snacks on their own, with glutinous rice for breakfast, or as a salad.

To hpu gyaw is yellow tofu cut into rectangular shapes, scored in the middle, and deep fried. Tofu fritters may be eaten with a spicy sour dip, or cut and made into a salad. They are crispy outside and soft inside.
Hnapyan gyaw is so called because the fritters are "twice fried" after the tofu is cut into triangular shapes. It is the traditional form in the Shan States.
To hpu gyauk kyaw or deep fried tofu crackers, like hnapyan gyaw, are usually served with htamin gyin (rice balls kneaded together with fish or potato), another popular Shan dish.

Fried tofu goes very well with kau hnyin baung (glutinous rice) as a breakfast option, and also with mohinga (rice vermicelli in fish soup) or rice noodles called hsan hkauk swè, especially Shan hkauk swè. Green tea is the preferred traditional drink to go with all these in Burma.

[edit] Salad

Hnapyan gyaw or "twice fried " Shan tofu fritters served with a side salad at Inle Lake

To hpu thouk or tofu salad with either to hpu or hsan ta hpo is very popular as a snack or a meal in itself whereas fried tofu on its own is considered a snack. Both may form part of a meal where all the dishes are customarily shared at the same time. Fresh tofu, cut into small rectangular slices, constitutes the main ingredient of the salad, dressed and garnished with peanut oil, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted crushed dried chilli, crushed garlic, crushed roasted peanuts, crisp-fried onions, and coriander.
To hpu gyaw thouk refers to tofu fritters cut up and served as a salad as above.
To hpu nway (warm tofu) or to hpu byaw (soft tofu) is the soft creamy tofu served hot before it sets, usually as a salad dressed and garnished the same way. It may be combined in the same dish with tofu fritters or rice noodles.

[edit] Notes

^ Also called gram flour, besan flour is made from chana dal (also called kala chana or Bengal gram), a type of small, dark-colored chickpea also used in Indian cuisine).