Lao A-Bo Fresh-Braised Dried Tofu

Review

Lao A-Bo Fresh-Braised Dried Tofu sits at No. 37 Zhongzheng Road in Daxi, between Zhongzheng Park and Daxi Old Street. Supertaste reports that the family first ran a stall at the park gate before moving to this larger shop, and it is now run by the second generation after more than half a century. Daxi is famous for dried tofu, and this stall is close to a compulsory stop for visitors, with well over ten thousand online reviews.

The draw is braised food cut to order. Dried tofu, tofu sheets, vegetarian chicken, vegetarian intestine and vegetarian tripe soak in a big pot of braising liquid, and the owner slices your choices on the spot. The liquid is rich and savoury, the tofu is braised all the way through and tasty on its own, and the house chili sauce adds a salty, spicy, numbing kick. A golden egg can be added separately. Portions are generous; one blogger says the full set nearly feeds four.

Fans praise the deep flavour, the punchy chili sauce, and a queue that is long but well organised with fast service. Others find the braise on the salty side and the dried tofu firm and chewy, which is not for everyone, and some locals feel it mainly caters to tourists and is not very different from other tofu stalls. Seating is limited and sharing tables is common at weekends.

Sources give opening hours of roughly 8 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m., opening earlier and closing later at weekends; sources differ, so check before you go. Supertaste lists dried tofu at NT$15 and vegetarian chicken at NT$28, so most people spend around NT$100. Weekend queues build after 10 a.m., so come early to wait less. Parking is tight; try the underground car park at Daxi Elementary School or nearby paid lots. Cash is the norm.

Ideal for first-time visitors who want to taste Daxi tofu, and for vegetarians, who should tell the staff in advance. Two or three people can share the signature set and add a golden egg. If you are wary of heat, try a little chili sauce first, then stroll on to the old street.