Stinky Tofu

Before moving to Taiwan, I was warned by many Chinese friends who have come here for a return visit, a tour, or just passing through to beware of one of the most popular street food, Stinky Tofu or Chou Doufu, as they are called here!!! I was told that they can be found just about anywhere there is a night market, or neighborhood street food vendors.
Well, they were right in both counts... it is indeed stinky, though not as in BAD STINKY... it is an acquired smell, hahahahahaha.... and Yes, they can be found just about everywhere..... But one thing they failed to warn me is how addictive they are... if you can get over the initial smell, they are actually good -- filling and satisfying... after all, food just like beauty is very subjective...

Though Chou Doufu can be found in alot of Asian countries - in Taiwan it is the unofficial national snack food and is universally loved. It is very commonly served on roadside stands and in night markets. It is primarily served dry (deep fried) or, less commonly, wet (with goose blood and Sichuan mala soup).

Though most of my Taiwanese friends love to eat it with a lot of chili sauce (photo on top right), this is how I like it -- simple... Chou Doufu, pickled veggies, chopped garlic and sauce (a mixture of soy sauce with added vinegar, sugar, and other stuff I do not even know)....