Mapo tofu

Recipe by
Chef Mulan

From the heart of Sichuan, China, comes the mapo tofu. Really good stuff. It's not your average tofu meal—think strong, spicy flavors and the tingly sensation from Sichuan peppercorns. What makes Sichuan mapo tofu really stand out is the combination of soft tofu with ground pork, creating a mix that's both tender and packed with taste. The secret ingredient? A generous scoop of doubanjiang, the chili bean paste that gives everything a deep, savory kick. Every bite brings a bit of numbing spice and a rich sauce that clings to the tofu—making it seriously hard to put your chopsticks down.

People in Sichuan love strong taste, and this classic dish doesn't hold back. It's typically served with plain steamed rice—which is great for cooling things down just enough to keep you coming back for more. Even though the authentic mapo tofu recipe is famous for its heat, you can tweak the chili or pepper level to suit your taste. Some folks in Sichuan keep it extra fiery with more chili, while others prefer it a bit milder but still full of flavor. Really, really tasty.

The way the ground pork blends with tofu makes for a moist and hearty meal, perfect when you crave something that feels like real comfort food but still wakes up your taste buds. It's one of those dishes that's super quick to whip up, so you won’t spend hours in the kitchen. And you know what? Once you try this spicy tofu dish, you might want to explore other Chinese tofu recipes—like mala tofu or simple stir-fried tofu if you want to dial down the spice.

Nothing quite matches the punchy flavors of this ground pork tofu recipe, though. Anyone looking for a meal that’s both easy and full of character will likely find themselves going back for seconds—and maybe even thirds. So... Next time you're in the mood for something with a kick, give this flavorful dish a try and experience a taste of Sichuan right in your own kitchen. Pretty simple, right?

You might also like:

• Gong Bao Chicken
• Spicy Shrimp
• Fried Tofu
• Tofu nuggets