Yen Ta Fo Sauce

Yen Ta Fo is a Thai dish that most of us are probably hearing about for the first time. But let me tell you that this pink noodle soup is not only colorful, but also flavorful. And it’s the Yen Ta Fo sauce that makes this soup so unique. You can also pair the sauce with many other dishes, like fish fillets, fried wontons, vegetable tempura, etc. Now, how to make this exotic condiment? Let’s check out.

All About Yen Ta Fo Sauce 

Yen Ta Fo sauce is also known as pink fermented bean curd sauce. It is primarily used in the Thai dish Yen Ta Fo noodle soup. And because of this sauce, the soup turns pink in color. 

Anyway, this Thai hot pot sauce gives a salty, sweet, sour, and umami flavor. You may think that its ingredients are going to be exotic. But no. You can easily find them at your local grocery. 

Ingredients You Need 

To start with the Yen Ta Fo sauce recipe, make sure you have these ingredients. 

Red Fermented Bean Curd (2 cubes)

Red fermented bean curd is going to give that signature pink color and umami flavor to the sauce. 

Fermented Soybean Paste (1 tbsp)

Soybean also gives a salty umami flavor and balances the sweetness. So don’t forget to add it. 

Sugar (2 tbsp)

To round out the salty and tangy notes, you will need some sugar. 

White Vinegar (1 ½ tbsp)

To make the sauce bright and bring some acidity into it, use white vinegar. If you don’t have white vinegar, you can use rice vinegar instead. 

Sriracha or Thai Chili Sauce (1 tbsp)

For a little heat, use Sriracha or Thai chili sauce. They both are best for enhancing the color and flavor. 

Garlic (1 clove minced or ½ tsp garlic paste)

Garlic will boost the flavor and add an aromatic punch to the sauce. You can use it both as a clove and as a paste. Both forms will give the best results.

Water (3 to 4 tbsp)

With water, you can thin out the sauce and give it the right consistency. 3 to 4 tablespoons is the average quantity. If needed, you can use more. 

How To Make Yen Ta Fo Sauce? A Step-by-Step Guide 

Let’s now start making our Thai fermented tofu sauce.

Step 1: Mash the Bean Curd 

First, take a small bowl. Mash the cubes of fermented bean curd in it. Keep smashing until they turn smooth. 

Step 2: Mix With Soybean Paste and Garlic 

Add the soybean paste and minced garlic or garlic paste into the bowl. Stir everything well until it fully combines. 

Step 3: Add Vinegar, Sugar, and Chili Sauce 

Now, add sugar, vinegar, sriracha, or Thai chili sauce into the mixture. Mix everything again until it becomes uniform and smooth. 

Step 4: Add Water To Adjust Consistency 

Add water gradually to the sauce. Keep mixing until you get your desired consistency. But make sure the texture doesn’t become too thin.

Step 5: Cook on Low Heat 

Now, heat the sauce over a low flame for 3 to 5 minutes. Within this time the flavors will meld and the sugar will dissolve completely. 

Step 6: Taste and Make Adjustments 

After you are done cooking, taste the sauce. If it needs to be spicier, add some more chili sauce. And if it needs to be more sour, add some more vinegar. 

Step 7: Cool and Store

Now, let the sauce cool down and transfer it to a clean glass jar. And you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Special Tips 

Try out these tips to get the best out of your Thai seafood noodle sauce.

• To get the correct flavor and color, you must use the authentic red fermented bean curd. 

• You can adjust the amount of sugar and vinegar as per your preferences. 

• Don’t skip garlic. Or else, you won’t get the real boost of flavors.

• Use a glass jar to store the sauce. Only then can you keep it fresh.

Best Pairings For Yen Ta Fo Sauce 

Your pink noodle sauce will taste even better with the following dishes.

• Crispy tofu cubes
• Egg noodles 
• Fish fillets 
• Grilled shrimp 
• Bok choy
• Chinese broccoli 
• Fried wontons 
• Thai fish cakes
• Vegetables tempura 
• Glass noodle salad

Conclusion 

So now, we don’t have to buy Yen Ta Fo sauce from the store anymore, as we can make it ourselves. Maybe, we will like our homemade recipe more because here we can at least adjust the ingredients as per our taste.

I suggest you try this sauce with egg noodles and fish fillets the most. Because these two dishes complemented the Yen Ta Fo sauce very much when I tried it at my friend’s house. So should you. And don’t forget to serve it to your guests. I am sure they will also keep asking you about the recipe!

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is Yen Ta Fo Sauce Made of?

Yen Ta Fo is a sweet, tangy, and a bit spicy Thai sauce. It is primarily made from red fermented bean curd, fermented soybean paste, sugar, vinegar, garlic, and chili sauce. All these ingredients give this sauce an umami flavor and an iconic pink color. 

Why is Yen Ta Fo Sauce Pink?

Yen Ta Fo is pink in color because it has red fermented bean curd in it. It’s a Chinese condiment that is made by aging tofu in rice wine, fermented red yeast rice, and spices. These ingredients not only make the sauce colorful but also flavorful. 

What Are the Best Noodles for Yen Ta Fo?

With Yen Ta Fo, you can try egg noodles, glass noodles, flat rice noodles, etc. But my personal favorite is the wide rice noodles to have with Yen Ta Fo soup.