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Most people looking for tofu walk straight to the world food aisle. That is the wrong aisle, and it is why so many end up asking a member of staff.
Which aisle is tofu in?
Fresh tofu is in the chilled section of UK supermarkets, alongside the vegetarian and plant based range, near the meat free burgers and sausages. It is not with the Asian ingredients. Long life silken tofu in a carton is the exception and sits at room temperature in the world food aisle.
Chilled tofu or long life tofu?
The two live in completely different parts of the shop, which is the root of most of the confusion. Knowing which one a recipe wants saves a lap of the store.
| Chilled tofu | Long life tofu | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Chilled, with the plant based range | World food aisle, on the shelf |
| Packaging | Plastic tub of water, or vacuum pack | Sealed carton |
| Usually | Firm or extra firm | Silken |
| Good for | Stir fries, curries, frying | Soups, sauces, puddings |
| Keeps | Days, in the fridge | Months, in the cupboard |
Where to look, supermarket by supermarket
Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Waitrose all carry firm tofu in larger branches, and the pattern is the same in each. Head for the chiller cabinets holding the meat free range rather than the ambient shelves.
- First place to look. The chilled plant based or vegetarian cabinet, usually next to the meat free mince and burgers.
- Second place. The chilled world food or Asian section, where some larger stores put fresh tofu instead.
- Third place. The world food aisle, on the shelf, for long life silken cartons.
- Fourth place. The free from or health food bay, where a few stores group it with other soy products.
Aisle numbers move between stores even within the same chain, so the sections above are more reliable than any number. Smaller Express, Local and Metro branches often carry none at all, so a big store is the safer trip.
What to ask a member of staff
Say tofu rather than bean curd, and say whether you want the chilled block or the carton. Asking for bean curd sends people to the tinned aisle in some stores, because that is how a few older products are labelled.
Asian supermarkets
A Chinese, Vietnamese or Korean grocer is the better trip if you cook with tofu often. The range is wider, the blocks are larger, and the price per gram is usually lower. You will find pressed tofu, smoked tofu, fried tofu puffs and fresh silken, none of which the supermarkets carry.
Look in the chiller near the fresh noodles. Fried tofu puffs are often bagged and hung on the end of the same cabinet.
Buying tofu online
Long life silken cartons are the easy online buy, because they need no refrigeration and keep for months. Supermarket delivery is the simplest way to get chilled tofu without a trip, and specialist Asian grocers ship chilled boxes if you order enough to justify the postage.
Which type to buy
| Type | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Extra firm | Frying, air frying, anything that needs to hold its shape |
| Firm | Stir fries and curries. The default choice |
| Silken | Soups, dressings, blended sauces, puddings |
| Smoked | Eating cold, salads, sandwiches |
| Fried puffs | Hot pot, noodle soups, soaking up broth |
Press firm tofu before cooking. Squeezing the water out is what lets it brown instead of steam.
Frequently asked questions
Where is tofu in the supermarket?
In the chilled cabinets with the vegetarian and plant based food. Not the world food aisle, and not with the fresh vegetables. Long life cartons are the only version kept on an ambient shelf.
Which aisle is silken tofu in?
Usually the world food aisle, in a sealed carton on the shelf near the Japanese ingredients. Some stores also stock a chilled silken block with the other tofu, so check both.
Do all supermarkets sell tofu?
Larger branches of the main chains do. Small convenience format stores often do not, and stock varies by area. If your local shop has never had it, a bigger branch or an Asian grocer is the answer.
Is tofu near the meat?
Often close to it. Many stores put the plant based chiller at the end of the meat aisle, so tofu ends up a few metres from the mince. It should not be mixed in with the meat itself.
Can you buy fresh tofu in the UK?
Yes. Chilled blocks in supermarkets are fresh tofu. Chinese and Korean grocers sometimes sell it loose or in large blocks made locally, which is fresher again and worth seeking out.
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- Firm tofu. A long life pack for the cupboard, not the fridge.
- Tofu press. Squeezes water out for a firmer texture.
