Sichuan
Mapo tofu
麻婆豆腐
Má pó dòu fu
Soft tofu, a deeply savory sauce, and the distinctive tingle of Sichuan pepper.
Regional starting pointSichuan
On the menuMain dishes
Typical heatHot
Flavor & textureNumbing · Savory · Silky
Get to know the dish
Mapo tofu puts soft tofu at the center of a bold Sichuan dish. Fermented chili bean paste brings depth, while Sichuan pepper adds a sensation quite different from the heat of chili. Minced meat is common, so the name alone does not make this a vegetarian dish.
What to look for
Tender pieces of tofu that hold their shape in a sauce with layers of fermented savor, chili warmth and pepper fragrance.
Every kitchen has its version
Meat, stock, bean paste and heat all vary. Mushroom-based versions exist; ask the kitchen about the whole preparation if you avoid meat.
Sources & further reading
Background and preparation references. Our descriptions are editorial summaries, not restaurant reviews.
