'Tofu of love' in Guizhou

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-09-02 16:52

If any food epitomizes the lifestyle of Guizhou province, it is most certainly the "tofu of love".

It is customary for a boy to invite a girl to "eat the tofu" here, even though elsewhere in China the phrase is used as a euphemism of sexual harassment and no man dares issue such an invitation.

People here have given this particular kind of tofu a pretty name - lian'ai doufu or the "tofu of love".

Men and women get acquainted while sharing it on street corners in the provincial capital Guiyang.

Together they barbecue tofu pieces about the size of a fingertip and triangular in shape.

It takes about 20 minutes or more to prepare a tiny piece of tofu, the perfect length of time to allow a man and woman to chat.

It is a pleasure to sit on the lawn beside the Stream of Flowers in Guiyang as local boys and girls share tofu surrounded by beautiful green mountains.