Where can I buy fresh tofu

[DBnyc]

Surely there is someplace in nyc that makes and sells tofu. Brooklyn or Downtown would be handiest for me.

[coasts]

From Jungmann on 8/5/09:

I get tofu from the guy on Columbus and 70th who says it's made in-house. It's not as good as what I get at H-Mart, but it makes for fine curry or mapo tofu when I'm in the mood.

[hungryinmanhattan]

Where is H-Mart? I just made some garlic chili oil and would love get some great fresh tofu.

[Cheeryvisage]

H-Mart is a Korean supermarket (actually, the Manhattan one is just a small grocery store) located on 32nd Street, between Broadway and 5th Avenue. Not sure if it sells fresh tofu though, I never paid attention.

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Han Ah Reum
25 W 32nd St, New York, NY 10001

[DBnyc]

Thanks for the information. The best tofu is tofu that has never been put in water, straight out of the press, with a little soy sauce. My wife made it in the 70s (I ground wheat to make flour). Where did we find time to do all of that?

[Miss Needle]

The stand that swannee mentioned is your best bet in Manhattan to find what you're looking for. I don't think it's ever been in the water. The texture is really silky and lovely.

In Brooklyn on 8th Ave in the 50s, there's a tofu stand that describes exactly what you're talking about -- they sell tofu straight out of the press that has never been in water.

And H-Mart's tofu isn't that great.

[ineemeeny]

I'd be very very surprised if the HMart in Koreatown sold fresh tofu. Even their vegetables aren't very fresh. But they do sell silken tofu that you can't find at most grocery stores (as well as firm and medium-firm of course).

[DBnyc]

Tofu is nearly as perishable as bred. Putting it in water is roughly the equivalent to freezing bread (of course, if you freeze tofu, you get something quite otherwise, which some people like, and can be good if it is properly prepared). The texture changes so significantly that I can only imagine that the chemistry changes. Of course, I can hope to find tofu straight out of the mold. But tofu is best to be eaten in three or four days. It will remain good if the water is changed daily. But soon it begins to develop an odor--something like vinegar.

[hungryinmanhattan]

Much thanks for all the suggestions.

[JungMann]

I do like the organic silken tofu at H-Mart, but if the OP wants fresh tofu, I'd point them in the direction of Kong Kee as swannee suggests.

[hungrycomposer]

I agree. Get some of their delicious fresh rice noodles while you're there. I love shopping at Kong Kee but be warned, the women who work there may try to sell you more than you might want to buy. Enjoy the bargain for a larger quantity or be ready to be firm in your resolve for a smaller order!

[swannee]

The store on the NE corner of the Bowery and Grand St. sells excellent tofu and homemade rice noodles.

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Kong Kee Food
240 Grand St, New York, NY 10002