Hot and Sweet Tofu from Tung Woo Co. (230 Grand Street)
Today we noticed that this small shop — which sells fresh soy milk, bean curd, and rice noodles — also offers something called “hot and sweet tofu.”
Since all we knew about this mysterious dish was that a small portion cost $1.75, we had to try it.
What we think we got is douhua, which is basically a tofu pudding popular in China and Malaysia.
We’re guessing that we got served the Cantonese version — compared to other varieties, it’s the one that features a simple syrup sauce atop the silken tofu squares.
At first we were wary: Could warm, plain tofu — with sugar water, no less — be anything but bland?
Answer: Yes!
The gentle texture and mild simplicity mix to create a satisfying — yet light — dessert.