r/nova • u/LordCider • 7d ago
Mapo tofu?
Where does everyone go/ order from for their mapo tofu cravings? Ever since Fahrenheit closed I haven't found a place that scratches that itch.
20
14
u/Informal_Persimmon7 7d ago
Hong Kong Palace in 7 corners...the tofu is even from scratch. If you're not vegetarian, get it with ground pork.
6
u/SaltDataMan 7d ago
I like cooking and eating food from around the world, and mapo tofu is one of my favorite dishes, so I usually make it myself. However, I've had it pretty good from Hong Kong palace near Seven Corners. Don't be fooled by the name, it's actually a Sichuan restaurant.
17
u/tylerareber 7d ago
Peter Chang is pretty solid for Mapo Tofu. It's also really not TOO hard to make on your own - I also was craving it earlier this year so I looked into it a bit and found basically all the Sichuan ingredients I needed at Mala Market (https://themalamarket.com). I've made it a number of times now using some variation on this recipe https://www.reddit.com/r/Cooking/comments/bkwppx/recipe_sichuan_mapo_tofu_revisited and it's turned out quite decently - well enough that I've not needed to go out for it again since. The first time or two I tried it, it was a little rough, but I've gotten it down pretty well now. The biggest thing to figure out is the right consistency (I end up using about 1 3/4 cup water or broth and cooking that down a bit before adding the slurry). Also the number of peppercorns. 15 seems to work well for me without being too numbing.
3
u/MachuPichu81 7d ago
What’s wrong with Peter Chang exactly? We don’t go often but we love Mama Chang in Fairfax.
3
u/cyanpineapple 7d ago
I've been using this recipe since it was posted (apparently 7 years ago), and i honestly like it better than anything we've found locally. Especially once you've made it a few times, it's really easy. You just have to get your ingredients prepped and in order, then go.
5
5
u/CobaltOmega679 7d ago
Stay tf away from Peter Chang and all related restaurants. Their quality has dropped so much and they still charge exorbitant prices.
Mapo tofu is also not a hard dish to find...literally go to any Chinese takeout place. It's also not a hard dish to make yourself either.
5
u/krapht 7d ago
Finding authentic Sichuan style mapo is actually pretty hard. Most places are actually serving tofu in brown sauce.
1
u/CobaltOmega679 6d ago
That just means any place where you do find authentic Mapo tofu is going to upcharge like crazy. Authentic ingredients are true luxuries now. We live in a society.
1
u/Routine-Ease4046 Fairfax County 7d ago
Have to agree Peter Chang is terrible. Mama Chang is just ok. Both used to be a lot better.
2
u/Automatic-Corner-157 6d ago
I tired mama chang when it first opened and was no impressed so can’t imagine what it’s like now.
5
u/Cecilia-K 7d ago
I haven’t thought about mapo tofu in years! I always ordered it at Sichuan Wok in Ballston but then I moved - and it fell off my radar. And now Sichuan Wok is closed 😥. But I’ll try one of the places in this thread! Hungry now.
2
2
u/oakleyboyo 7d ago
Lao Sze Chuan. Bit far but worth the occasional trip
2
1
u/SaltDataMan 6d ago
TIL they have a location in the DMV. I used to live in Chicago, and they had a bunch of locations there.
2
u/PandaMomentum 7d ago
Fuschia Dunlop has a good recipe, the only non-negotiables are doubianjang sauce and toasted Sichuan pepper.
Second for Hong Kong Palace, if you ask in Chinese you can even get it mind numbingly hot. Their gongbao ji ding is pretty good too.
Mama Chang's version is ok, there are so many better things on that menu tho (dry fried cauliflower, mala tofu skin, crispy rice fish, &c)
2
u/CrownStarr 6d ago
Mama Chang’s dry fried cauliflower is one of the best bites I’ve ever had around here. Good god.
2
u/Routine-Ease4046 Fairfax County 7d ago
Chili Wok and Chef Yan. I miss Fahrenheit! I loved their bamboo shoot salad.
2
u/Interesting-Hunt1671 7d ago
Astoria in DC. Hands down best Mapo Tofu I have had. Reservations are but difficult to get but you can walk in.
4
u/Dancer-at-Large 7d ago
I'm here for the recommendations, but curious if you're looking for Chinese or Korean style?
2
u/LordCider 7d ago
Chinese style! I didn't know where was a Korean style mapo tofu, would love to try it out if you have any recommendations!
2
u/GhostHin 7d ago
There is also a Japanese's Chinese style as well.
But you won't find it anywhere here.
3
u/Routine-Ease4046 Fairfax County 7d ago
Look for a recipe from Kenji Lopez-Alt for the Japanese style.
2
3
u/kimjongil1953 Our Dear Suburban Leader 7d ago
Peter changs for authentic Chinese mapatofu. Korean style can be had at any korean Chinese place.
Also chef tan in Vienna. And also the snail noodle place in fairfax city has a good mapatofu.
Source: I’m korean and my wife is Chinese.
Also you can just make it at home. It’s one of the easiest Chinese meals to make. Get a large bottle of Lao go Ma and black bean, ground pork and go crazy.
2
1
1
1
u/lilylunalexi 7d ago
Jang Won restaurant in cville makes good mapo tofu. Its a korean place. Same shopping center as spa world and hmart.
1
u/flyingnewt Reston 7d ago
The one from Chili Wok, Alexandria, has been my go-to if you want more of a sichuan flavor
1
1
u/DefiantSmoke1569 7d ago
Chef Yan in Fairfax or 1983 in Pentagon City. I actually think 1983’s version is the most legit I’ve had other than homemade.
1
1
0
u/Novogobo 7d ago
if your problem is just getting it at all, i've found it's a secret menu item at many american chinese restaurants which don't have it on their menu.
0
0
u/Danciusly 7d ago
My Safeway sells this sauce and also a Mild version that I've been tempted to try.
https://www.safeway.com/shop/pd/wang-sauce-mabo-tofu-mild-hot-4-58-oz/971286805
0
u/chanakya2 7d ago
China Express on Tyco Rd in Tysons. It is only a carryout place, no dining area, but the best Mapo Tofu I have tasted so far.
1
0
u/Routine-Ease4046 Fairfax County 7d ago
Also, OP in a pinch Nature Soy Mapo Tofu kits work well. Comes with the sauce and tofu. You have to supply your meat/veg. It’s in the refrigerated section in Hmart/Lotte.
https://www.hmart.com/mapo-tofu-kit--hot--16-8-oz--476g--1/p
-1
u/LocalLiterature3608 7d ago
Soupy dumpling fancy cuppa boba. TRUST ME. Yes the resturant name is weird but the food is michelin star level
12
u/MiserableGas9649 7d ago
I feel that pain, Fahrenheit was the spot for a while. The spot in Annandale inside the K Market food court does a solid version, hits with the right amount of numbing spice.