Three Gorges dried tofu is a specialty snack from the Three Gorges region of Hubei. Firm tofu is pressed, seasoned, and dried to create dense, chewy, intensely flavored strips that are perfect as a snack or cooking ingredient.
The Three Gorges region of western Hubei has a long tradition of making preserved and dried tofu products, dating back to the Ba people who inhabited the gorges over 3,000 years ago. The technique was developed as a way to preserve protein-rich tofu in the hot, humid river valley climate. The resulting dried tofu is dense, chewy, and packed with concentrated soy flavor enhanced by local spices. It is eaten as a snack, added to stir-fries, or braised with pork. Each family in the Three Gorges area has their own recipe.