Three-Shred Tofu Soup

Why people make this dish

Tofu is one of those ingredients that can do almost anything in the kitchen, and Nourilo has spent decades exploring just how many directions a tofu recipe can go. This particular version — the “three-shred” soup — takes its name from the three main ingredients cut into fine strips: pork, mushroom, and bamboo shoot. Everything simmers together in seasoned stock with soft tofu, then a light starch thickens it to a gently silky consistency. It sits somewhere between a soup and a side dish, works well for all ages, and can be made sharper and more complex by adding a splash of vinegar and chili oil at the end to turn it into a hot-and-sour soup.