sufu: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareSpecialized/Culinary
Quick answer
What does “sufu” mean?
A type of fermented bean curd originating from Chinese cuisine, with a soft, creamy texture and a pungent, salty flavor.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of fermented bean curd originating from Chinese cuisine, with a soft, creamy texture and a pungent, salty flavor.
Often called 'Chinese cheese' due to its fermentation process and strong aroma; used as a condiment or ingredient.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage difference; term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral/exotic food item. No region-specific connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general corpora; slightly higher in food/cuisine-specific texts.
Grammar
How to Use “sufu” in a Sentence
[eat/have] sufu with [rice/congee][describe/refer to] X as sufuVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sufu” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The recipe didn't mention you need to sufu the tofu for several weeks.
- They sufu the beans in a clay pot.
American English
- You have to sufu the curd to get that signature flavor.
- They sufu the tofu in a brine solution.
adverb
British English
- The dish was seasoned sufu-style.
- It was prepared quite sufu-ly.
American English
- It was fermented sufu-style.
- The tofu was cured sufu-like.
adjective
British English
- The sufu paste added a unique depth to the sauce.
- It had a distinctly sufu aroma.
American English
- The sufu flavor was quite pronounced.
- This is a sufu-based marinade.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; potentially in import/export of specialty foods.
Academic
In anthropology, food studies, or cultural papers discussing fermentation.
Everyday
When discussing or ordering in Chinese restaurants, especially regional cuisine.
Technical
In food science contexts discussing fermentation processes of soy products.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sufu”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sufu”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sufu”
- Pronouncing it as /ˈsʌf.u/ or /ˈsjuː.fjuː/.
- Using it as a countable noun without a quantifier (e.g., 'a sufu' is uncommon; better: 'a piece of sufu').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically yes, as it is made from soybeans. However, some varieties might use alcohol or other minor non-vegan ingredients in the brine, so checking labels is advised.
'Stinky tofu' usually refers to a different, often stronger-smelling, fermented tofu dish that is typically fried. Sufu is generally the softer, paste-like version served as a condiment. The terms are sometimes conflated.
It is sold in jars or containers with its brine. Once opened, it should be kept refrigerated and submerged in its brine to preserve its flavor and texture.
Yes, but it is a lengthy process involving inoculating tofu cubes with a specific mould (like Actinomucor elegans), followed by aging in a seasoned brine for weeks or months.
A type of fermented bean curd originating from Chinese cuisine, with a soft, creamy texture and a pungent, salty flavor.
Sufu is usually specialized/culinary in register.
Sufu: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsuː.fuː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsu.fu/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SOUp for FU' – imagine a strong, fermented flavor dropped into your soup.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD IS A CULTURAL ARTIFACT (specialized food representing a culinary tradition).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary ingredient of sufu?