Tofu Skin also called Yuba is made from soy milk. So the name might be slightly confusing. When the soy milk boils for a longer time, a very thin layer of skin floats on the surface. In China, people pick the skins out, hang and dry completely. It can be kept for quite a long time after drying out. The tofu skin can bring strong soy aroma to other ingredients. 

Tofu skin stir fry|chinasichuanfood.com

What’s Tofu Skin (豆腐皮 or 腐竹)

Tofu skin or tofu Yuba stick with firm but also softened soy milk product. Unlike other tofu produce, there is no coagulant used during the process. But tofu skin has a concerted soy aroma.  

There are two forms of tofu skin in China, one is large piece (usually called 豆腐皮) and the other one is stick (腐竹). They are packaged in different forms but from the very basic ingredient and can be used interchangeably in most cases. But large piece tofu skin can be used for wrapping dim sum and dumplings while stick is commonly used in stir-fries and stews. 

tofu skin stir fry|chinasichuanfood.com

This yellow tofu skin stir fry might be more delicious than you think. Softened tofu skin stick can absorb all of the yummy flavors and turn itself extremely yummy. Tofu skin is also widely used in soups or stocks. In that case, it is plain and contributing flavors to the soup base. In Chinese stocks, there is a version named as “三鲜”, usually contains tofu skin, wood ear mushroom, cucumber and tomatoes. 

Tofu skin stir fry|chinasichuanfood.com

Ingredients 

  • 2 sticks of tofu skin stick
  • 1 green pepper, cut into pieces
  • 1/2 long English cucumber, cut into pieces
  • 6-8 dried wood ear mushrooms
  • a small pinch of salt
  • 2 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 2 tbsp. cooking oil
  • 1 and 1/2 tbsp. light soy sauce
  • 1 tsp. sesame oil

Cook’s Note

  1. Tofu skin stick should be pre-hydrated in cold or warm water. Never cut your tofu skin stick when it is still hard.
  2. There is no need to squeeze the water out after soaking. Squeezing might break the shape and we need some extra liquid to avoid the ingredients been burnt in a relatively longer process of stir-frying.
  3. Tofu skin and wood ear mushroom needs to be fried for 3-4 minutes over slow fire to make sure they are completely well cooked.

Steps

Soak the tofu sticks in a large pot with enough water to cover until they become soft again. Cut into 1 inch sections.Tofu Skin Stir Fry |chinasichuanfood.com

Pre-hydrate wood ear mushrooms, remove the ends and any sandy parts.

Cut cucumber and bell pepper into small pieces.

Heat oil in wok, add garlic slices and fry until aromatic, place wood ear mushroom, tofu skin sticks and drizzle light soy sauce in. Slow down the fire and cook the two ingredients for 3-4 minutes.

Tofu Skin Stir Fry |chinasichuanfood.com

Then place bell pepper and cucumber in. Fry until the later two ingredients are soft.Tofu Skin Stir Fry |chinasichuanfood.com

Add a pinch of salt if necessary. Mix well with sesame oil and serve hot.

Tofu skin stir fry|chinasichuanfood.com

Other vegan recipes 

Tofu skin stir fry|chinasichuanfood.com

Tofu skin stir fry

Vegan friendly vegetable and tofu skin stir fry
4.75 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: stir fry, Tofu Skin
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 3
Calories: 117kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 sticks tofu skin stick
  • 1 green pepper
  • 1/2 Long English Cucumber , peeled
  • 6-8 dried wood ear mushrooms
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 tbsp. cooking oil
  • 1 and 1/2 tbsp. light soy sauce
  • 1 tsp. sesame oil

Instructions

  • Soak the tofu sticks in a large pot with enough water to cover until they become soft again. Cut into 1 inch sections.
  • Pre-hydrate wood ear mushrooms, remove the ends and any sandy parts.
  • Cut cucumber and bell pepper into small pieces.
  • Heat oil in wok, add garlic slices and fry until aromatic, place wood ear mushroom, tofu skin sticks and drizzle light soy sauce in. Slow down the fire and cook the two ingredients for 3-4 minutes.
  • Then place bell pepper and cucumber in. Fry until the later two ingredients are soft.
  • Add a pinch of salt if necessary. Mix well with sesame oil and serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 117kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 414mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 10.2mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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7 Comments

  1. Never knew what that ingredient was! Thank you for the knew ideas 😀 maybe next time you can also show us how to make those tofu skin wraps ??
    Kisses from Portugal ??

  2. 5 stars
    Thank You for the recipe, I ate something similar in Chengdu and I loved it; now I have a chance to repeat it at home. Could You share a recipe for tofu skin in sheet? You know, not stick but like sheet of paper. Thank You again, Your site is amazing!

  3. 4 stars
    I only recently discovered tofu skin and just love it. This recipe is such a fabulous way to use it – and my first time stri frying cucumber = how one great discovery leads to another. Thanks for the inspiration