Best. Tofu. Ever. (As in EVER.)

I might receive some flak from soy bean lovers out there (or maybe not), but I would like to go out on a limb here. I think it’ll be worth it.

I was happily swimming in my bowl of Chicken Chop Noodles when a plate of six golden brown square nuggets was placed beside me. I emerged from my bowl gasping for air and curiously looked at the innocent little squares sitting by their lonesome selves, waiting for their turn to go down into my belly.

“Try their fried tofu, To,” Carlos said.

I awkwardly grabbed one piece using my chopsticks. It was fragile and difficult to hold on to, the outer crust easily breaking to reveal its soft yummy goodness inside. I hurriedly placed the piece on the tiny bowl of hot sauce and then quickly transferred it to my mouth. My eyeballs began turning as my toes started to curl.

The tofu itself was soft and unbelievably malleable. It was a cousin of the Japanese variety and a complete stranger to the ones used in our tokwa’t baboy dishes. The crust had this wonderful subtle eggy taste similar to that of the outer edges of tortang talong. Biting into it, you begin to wonder how they were able to encapsulate something so delicate inside something so delicious. And the sauce that came with it had the right kick and tanginess to boot.

Do I dare say it? Yes, I guess so. In my opinion, this was the best fried tofu dish I have ever had.