Freshly prepared yuba looks similar to tofu, but a little bit denser.
Tofu is a common ingredient in many types of Asian cuisine. Yuba, in particular, is a popular item on Chinese and Japanese menus. The term itself means “dried tofu skins” and it comes from soy milk. However, it’s not often used as a topping for tofu, exactly – instead, you’ll find it incorporated into sushi, dim sum, soups, and noodle bowls. Try it out for dinner tonight, and if you like it, keeping some in your kitchen pantry isn’t difficult, either!
So What is Yuba Supposed to Be?
Freshly prepared yuba looks similar to tofu, but a little bit denser. It also has a different mouth feel – it’s rather bouncy. There’s a legend that the foodstuff came to two Japanese cities – Kyoto and Shiga – by way of mainland China. As such, it has been part of both Chinese and Japanese cookery for thousands of years.
Jai is a vegetarian stew made during Lunar New Year. Meanwhile, you’ll probably encounter yuba during your next dim sum dining experience. It usually comes in the form of stuffed bean curd rolls. For the vegetarians and vegans amongst your group of friends and family, you can devise some truly delicious dishes that imitate meat and bring out that ever-elusive umami quality.
What Do You Do With It?
Fresh and dried yuba are both readily available. Still, you can attempt to make it at home by simmering soy milk for about half an hour. Let it cool down so that the proteins have time to mingle and bond. Skim the film off of the top and then set it aside. At this point, you can either let it dry out or eat some right then and there. In many ways, yuba is as versatile as butter. Add it to your morning toast, or drop it into a steamy bowl of noodles! Dry yuba must be dehydrated before you can include it in your next meal, but it’s quite versatile. Soups, stews, stir-fries, and gluten-free pastas are potential recipes that can be enhanced by this surprising food byproduct.
What Does It Taste Like?
You might find tofu bland and unappetizing. Yuba has a similar texture. But since it doesn’t have a notable flavor of its own, it’ll absorb whatever you’re cooking it in – when it’s raw, it’ll present notes of subtle nuttiness and sweetness.
Some Quick Meal Ideas for You
Many Chinese and Japanese recipes include this ingredient. As such, feel free to experiment with different sauces, spices, seasonings, and cooking techniques. Do you need some inspiration? We’ve got you covered:
- Wontons
- Dumplings
- Orange sesame yuba rolls
- Vegan Thai coconut milk soup with tofu
- And shumai dumplings featuring pork and shrimp
Get All Your Asian Groceries at Lotte Plaza Market
Lotte Plaza Market is your one-stop-shop for all of your Korean and Asian grocery needs. With more than 10 Maryland and Virginia locations, this growing market is continually expanding and opening new markets to better serve our customers. Since we opened in 1976, our goal has always been to provide the best customer service and groceries to our customers. For answers to all of your questions, please email us at LottePlaza.com.