At the table
Lift a small portion of tofu shreds with chopsticks and use a spoon for the broth. Let the hot broth cool before eating.
Tofu contains soy. The described dish uses chicken broth and may include shrimp, chicken meat or other animal ingredients. Confirm the stock, cooking fats and additions for your dietary needs.
Fine, softened tofu shreds in broth are easy to portion and share; cool the broth and confirm the additions.
Recipes vary. Ask the restaurant about ingredients and serving before you order.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
A Fuchun-style version adds chicken, shiitake, shrimp and caixin greens.
Typical ingredients
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Savory
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Soft fine shreds.
- How it’s made
- Slice dried tofu finely and simmer with chicken broth and additions.
A Fuchun-style version adds chicken, shiitake, shrimp and caixin greens.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Jiangsu.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有大煮干丝吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
The skill behind Yangzhou’s fine tofu shreds
At one Yangzhou tea house, cooks slice the firm pressed tofu the evening before morning tea service; one chef spent three years learning to cut the strands evenly and quickly. Dazhu gansi also appears at Yangzhou family dinners, so this Huaiyang knife work belongs to both the tea house and the home table. The dish combines fine tofu shreds with clear chicken broth and additions such as shrimp. Careful cutting keeps the shreds even. The broth is cooked first and the tofu added later; additions can change with the season.