Crab Roe Tofu (Xie Fen Doufu)
蟹粉豆腐
Silken tofu bathed in golden crab roe sauce — a luxurious Jiangsu dish that turns cheap tofu into a delicacy with the richness of crab.
📋 Ingredients
What Is Crab Roe Tofu (Xie Fen Doufu)?
💡 Ingredient Notes: Crab Roe Tofu (蟹粉豆腐, xiè fěn dòu fu) is a luxurious Jiangsu dish that transforms humble silken tofu into something extraordinary by bathing it in a golden sauce of crab meat and crab roe. The crab roe (蟹粉) provides richness, color, and intense umami, while the silken tofu provides a silky, delicate contrast. A beloved banquet and home dish in Jiangsu, especially in autumn when hairy crabs are in season. The contrast of luxury (crab) and humble (tofu) is quintessentially Jiangsu — elegant without being pretentious.
Ingredients You'll Need
The Dish
- 1 block silken tofu, cut into cubes
- 100g crab meat (or 1 can)
- 50g crab roe (or 2 hard-boiled egg yolks mashed, as substitute)
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Chopped scallions
📝 Instructions
Prep the tofu
Cut silken tofu into 2cm cubes. Blanch in salted boiling water for 1 minute to firm them up slightly. Drain gently — silken tofu breaks easily.
Make the crab sauce
Heat oil in a pan. Add ginger and fry 15 seconds. Add crab meat and roe. Cook for 2 minutes, breaking up the roe. The oil should turn golden-orange. Add Shaoxing wine to deglaze.
Add stock and tofu
Pour in chicken stock. Gently add the tofu cubes. Simmer for 3 minutes — do NOT stir vigorously or the tofu will break. Gently shake the pan to move things.
Thicken and serve
Add cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Gently fold. Season with salt, white pepper, and sesame oil. Serve in shallow bowls, garnished with scallions.
💡 Pro Tips
- 💡Handle silken tofu like glass — use a gentle shaking motion, never aggressive stirring.
- 💡Crab roe gives the golden color and richness — if unavailable, mash hard-boiled egg yolks with oil as a rough substitute.
- 💡Shaoxing wine is essential — it removes the fishy smell of crab and adds depth.
📊 Nutrition Facts
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get crab roe? Asian markets sell crab roe (蟹粉) frozen or canned. In autumn, you can buy fresh hairy crabs and extract the roe yourself. Canned crab meat works for the meat.
