臭豆腐
cau³ dau⁶ fu⁶
The English phrase "stinky tofu" is translated into Cantonese as 臭豆腐 (cau³ dau⁶ fu⁶).
臭豆腐 refers to a form of fermented tofu.
Meaning: form of fermented tofu (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 臭 (stinky) and 豆腐 (tofu). The middle character 豆 (bean) is part of the word for tofu.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is cau³ dau⁶ fu⁶.
Did you know?
- The process of making 臭豆腐 involves a brine that is often kept for years and replenished, meaning some stalls use a 'mother brine' that is decades old.
- In many Cantonese-speaking regions, the smell of 臭豆腐 is often described as a 'delicious' scent rather than a foul one. This paradox means a 'stinky' smell can actually be a sign of high quality.
- While 臭豆腐 is loved globally, the smell is so potent that some hotels and public transport in Asia have historically debated banning it to avoid lingering odors.
Examples in context
- 我好鍾意食臭豆腐。ngo5 hou2 zung1 ji3 sik6 cau3 dau6 fu6.I really love eating stinky tofu.
- 呢份臭豆腐好香。ni1 fan6 cau3 dau6 fu6 hou2 hoeng1.This stinky tofu smells very fragrant.
- 街口嗰度賣緊臭豆腐。gaai1 hau2 go2 dou6 maai6 gan2 cau3 dau6 fu6.They are selling stinky tofu at the street corner.
Example conversation
Two friends are walking through a night market.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit曉彤，妳想唔想試吓嗰度嘅臭豆腐？hiu2 tung4, nei5 soeng2 m4 soeng2 si3 haa5 go2 dou6 ge3 cau3 dau6 fu6?Hiu Tung, do you want to try the stinky tofu over there?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我唔係好敢食臭豆腐呀。ngo5 m4 hai6 hou2 gam2 sik6 cau3 dau6 fu6 aa3.I don't really dare to eat stinky tofu.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit唔怕，呢度嘅臭豆腐好出名。m4 paa3, ni1 dou6 ge3 cau3 dau6 fu6 hou2 ceot1 ming4.Don't be afraid, the stinky tofu here is very famous.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung噉好啦，我哋試一試。gam2 hou2 laa1, ngo5 dei6 si3 jat1 si3.Okay then, let's give it a try.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stinky tofu” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
