Yuba (Tofu Skin)

What Is Yuba (Tofu Skin)?

Yuba is a product obtained by lifting off, with a stick, the thin protein-rich film that forms on the surface of soy milk as it is slowly simmered. It has been known in Chinese and Japanese cuisine for centuries.

Fresh yuba is soft and slightly creamy; the dried form is sold as crisp sheets or curled sticks and is soaked in water to soften before use.

Nutritional Values of Yuba

100 grams of dried yuba contains approximately 230 kcal of energy; it is very high in plant-based protein and moderate-to-high in fat, making it even denser in protein than tofu. Values vary by fresh/dried form and are approximate.

How Should Yuba Be Consumed?

Yuba is consumed as a plant-based protein source alongside other food groups, as part of a balanced diet.

This information is general; yuba is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment. People with soy allergies should avoid yuba.

How to Choose Yuba?

Fresh yuba has a cream-yellowish color and a soft-smooth texture. Dried yuba should be light yellow in color with a brittle-crisp surface.

• The fresh form should be cream-yellowish in color with a soft texture
• The dried form should be light yellow in color with a crisp-brittle surface
• The smell should be mildly soy-like and neutral, not sour

How Is Yuba Stored?

Fresh yuba stays fresh in the refrigerator for a few days; the dried form can be kept in a sealed container at room temperature for months.

Using Yuba in the Kitchen

Yuba is used most often in Japanese cuisine's soups, and in Chinese cuisine's stir-fries and vegetarian "mock meat" recipes; its fresh form is also preferred for sushi wrapping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are yuba and tofu the same thing?

No; both are made from soy milk, but tofu is obtained by coagulating and pressing the milk, while yuba is obtained by collecting the film on the surface of simmering milk. Their textures and production methods differ.

How is dried yuba prepared for use?

It is soaked in warm water for 15-20 minutes to soften, then drained and used in the recipe.

Is yuba available in Turkey?

The dried form can be found at specialty stores selling Asian products; the fresh form is not common.