Mun tahu facts for kids
Mun tahu, silken egg tofu with shrimp, chicken, leeks in thick savoury white sauce
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| Course | Main course |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Indonesia |
| Region or state | Southeast Asia |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Silken egg tofu, vegetables, chicken or seafood |
Mun tahu is a yummy dish from Indonesia that's popular in Chinese Indonesian cooking. It's made with soft, smooth tofu that's gently cooked in a thick, savory white sauce. Often, it includes tiny pieces of chicken and shrimp, making it a tasty and comforting meal.
What's in a Name?
The name Mun tahu tells us a bit about the dish! The word mun (燜/焖) means "braised" in Chinese. Braising is a cooking method where food is cooked slowly in liquid. This suggests the dish might have come from the Hakka people, a group from China. The word tahu simply means "tofu" in the Indonesian language. So, "Mun tahu" means "braised tofu"!
What's Inside Mun Tahu?
The main part of mun tahu is its super soft and smooth silken tofu. Sometimes, a yellowish kind called egg tofu is used too. This tofu is cooked with meat, like minced chicken or seafood (often peeled shrimp). Sometimes, minced beef or pork can be used instead.
The dish is mildly flavored with ingredients like garlic, ginger, and onion. It's seasoned with a little soy sauce, salt, and pepper. The sauce is usually whitish because only a small amount of soy sauce is added. To make the sauce thick and slightly runny, cooks add a special powder. This can be tapioca powder or maize powder. Finally, chopped leeks are sprinkled on top for extra flavor.
Mun tahu has a mild, savory taste and a wonderfully soft texture. This makes it a great meal for young children or for people who need easy-to-eat food.
