The name of each region is different, but tao pho (toufu) is a cool snack that many people love every summer.
Tofu is a popular summer snack loved by all ages, not only in Vietnam but also in Asian countries. The origin of this name is unknown. It is said that it comes from "tofu", which means tofu in Chinese.
Tofu is made from finely ground soybeans, filtered out the residue like tofu but more carefully, then boiled and then cooled, frozen. When eating tao pho, we add a little ice and immediately have a bowl of too pho that is cool, easy to eat, light on the stomach, suitable for cooling in the summer sun.
In 3 regions, people call this dish made from soybeans by different names. Hanoi people call it tào phớ, Hai Phong people call it mixed tàu pha, the Central people call it đậu hũ, but the Southern people call it tàu hũ... In Hanoi, tofu is eaten with sugar water mixed with jasmine flowers water. Like other dishes, the profession of making tao pho also has its own craft village. An Phu village (now in Nghia Do ward, Cau Giay district) is considered the birthplace of this dish in Hanoi. Currently, diners can find many tofu shops in this area. The seller uses a spoon, or mussel shell, to put each spoonful of thin tao pho into the bowl so that it's really comparable and fits, and then adds sugar water, a few ice cubes. A standard bowl of too pho in Hanoi is sugar water that is not too sweet, has jasmine flavor, is light on the mouth, comfortable.
Tofu in the Central region has a little bit of crushed ginger, or sliced and put on top of tofu pieces. In the South, tofu is thicker and thicker, often adding coconut milk. Varied dishes from tofu were also born here, such as pearl tofu, caramel tofu, tofu eaten with jelly, lotus seeds...
In the past, too pho was often peddled with the familiar "Who want to eat tao pho.....!" echoing through the streets on summer afternoons, but this has gradually become less popular. Although many cool desserts have been imported, tofu, tofu, and tofu still retain their own position as a popular dish loved by Vietnamese people of all ages. Today, in all 3 regions, the way to eat tofu has been changed to suit the increasingly diverse culinary tastes of diners. However, at any store, you can still enjoy the classic tofu, served with sugar water and ice.
