For the Love of Stinky Tofu

Stinky Tofu from Spices! Restaurant on Clement Street

They may look like ordinary cubes of fried tofu from far away, but once you get close enough to take a whiff, you'll know that they're stinky tofu.

Stinky tofu is fermented tofu usually served deep fried. Some say it's an acquired taste, but I believe if you can get past the smell, you're in for a treat. (I applaude my friends Alok, Albert, and Cecile for giving it a try when I first took them to Shanghai Small Eats on Jackson Street -- one of the few places in the Bay Area to serve the traditional Chinese street food.)

When I woke up today, I totally had a craving for stinky tofu. Rather than drive down to the Peninsula or the East Bay, I picked up stinky tofu from Spices! Restaurant. I haven't eaten stinky tofu in awhile so the 16-piece to-go order disappeared quickly after I got home.

I'm trying to decide on a new favorite place for stinky tofu. For the longest time, it was Shanghai Small Eats on Jackson where they serve the perfectly cut squared cubes extra crispy with sweet sauce and chili paste sans pickles. Then it was 168 Restaurant at the Pacific Mall because their version was fried but tender on the inside. The steamed version with hot chili oil at a restaurant which I never caught the name of at Cupertino's Wolfe Plaza is also delicious.

For two weeks, I really liked the ones from Sogo Tofu. But on the second visit, the tofu didn't taste stinky enough. They sell them uncooked for you to bring home but I'm not sure it's worth smelling up your house.

I just called Shanghai Noodles on Balboa, and they confirmed that they serve stinky tofu too. You'll know where to find me the next! If you know of more places for me to try, please post your recommendations. Now please pass the Altoids.

Places

Shanghai Small Eats on Jackson near Kearny, San Francisco. Sorry, I can't find the exact address at the moment. Note, stinky tofu is served on the weekends only.

Shanghai Noodles, 1808 Balboa Street, San Francisco; Phone: (415) 221-3988. Good stinky tofu from husband-and-wife team.

Spices! Restaurant is at 294 - 8th Avenue at Clement Street, San Francisco; (415) 752-8884. There's two Spices! Restaurant - only the one on 8th Ave. serves stinky tofu.

Joy Restaurant, Foster City, 1495 Beach Park Boulevard @ Marlin Avenue in Beach Park Plaza, Foster City; Phone (650) 345-1762. Go on East Hillsdale Blvd toward Foster City. Ma-la stinky tofu in a clay pot.

China B, South B Street, San Mateo

Steamed Stinky Tofu at Cupertino Wolfe Plaza off 280S. 10983 N Wolfe Road, Cupertino. This restaurant is next to the dim sum restaurant, Q-Cup is in front of it. There's also a Taiwanese restaurant, South Taste, on the same side as the jewelry store and Fantasia that serves deep fried stinky tofu.

Sogo Tofu is at 1610 S. De Anza Blvd., San Jose; (408) 517-8958.

168 Restaurant at Pacific Mall, 3288 Pierce Street, Richmond; Phone: (510) 558-9168.

Learn more about the making of stinky tofu at: http://ift.confex.com/ift/2000/techprogram/paper_2811.htm