Legend of the Ma Po Tofu

Legend tells in ancient times there was a girl who names ”qiaoqiao” in Chengdu. Although qiaoqiao’s face was full of pockmarks, she is a clever just like her name and wins praise from everyone she met. After grew up, she married an oil press whose last name is Chen. Boss Chen used to be a poor man, so he never minded the pockmarks on her wife’s face, they treat each other with respect, joint efforts and had a good day.

Unfortunately, Boss Chen died in a fuel tanker accident on the way home one day. Qiaoqiao swallowed his grief and worked day and night with her sister-in-law. However, the heavy work in the oil press cannot be dealed with by only two women. Oil press is finally closed.

Neighbors sympathized with the two poor women, they often give them something to eat, especially the bean curd and meat shop on both sides, and they always sent them some tofu and meat on festivals. So one day they decided to invite neighbors for dinner, but what to treat them? They thought hard and had a bright idea. They cooked diced mutton together with tofu and pungent spices, and then a delicious dish is made. The neighbors was lavish with their praise for the dish after taste it.

Since then, Qiaoqiao and her sisters-in-law changed the oil press into a small restaurant specializing in this spicy and delicious, cheap mutton with bean curd, business is very good. Later, in honor of Qiaoqiao, this dish is called " Mapo Tofu ".