Citong tofu skin is the soy product made in Yihe Village (Yihe Community), Citong Township, Yunlin County. Citong Township as a whole accounts for roughly 70% of Taiwan's tofu skin production, with Yihe Village alone contributing over 60% of the national total, earning it the nickname "Hometown of Tofu Skin." Producers heat soy milk with Zhuoshui River groundwater to draw up thin films, made into fresh or dried tofu skin.
Reports from Formosa TV News (非凡新聞) and Smile Taiwan confirm that Citong Township accounts for roughly 70% of Taiwan's tofu skin production, with the Yihe Community alone contributing over 60% of the national total, earning it the nickname "Hometown of Tofu Skin." Located along the Zhuoshui River, the area's abundant rice bran after milling serves as cheap fuel for tofu skin production, while the river's lime-rich water aids soy milk coagulation — the geographic factors behind this industrial cluster. Note: the village is correctly named Yihe Village (義和村), not 義合村.
What is Citong Tofu Skin
To make tofu skin, soybeans are ground into soy milk and heated to a specific temperature. The protein and fat in the milk thermally coagulate at the surface, forming a thin film that is gently lifted with a bamboo rod to produce 'fresh tofu skin' (also called yuba); further drying yields 'dried tofu skin.' Producers in Yihe Village insist on using Zhuoshui River groundwater, believing the local water's hardness and mineral composition allow the skin to form more evenly and gives the finished product a springier, more tender texture. Common culinary uses include hot-pot ingredient, cold dressed tofu skin strips, tofu skin sushi, and braised tofu skin.
Citong Township is located in central Yunlin County, where early agriculture centered on rice farming before the tofu skin industry grew to prominence and Yihe Village gradually became a cluster of tofu skin factories. Smile Taiwan 319 Townships+ has documented the concentration of tofu skin enterprises in Yihe Village. This geographically concentrated industrial cluster enables the sharing of technical knowledge and raw materials, which helps maintain a consistent level of quality in Citong tofu skin.
How to eat it like a local
Local knowledge
Verified sources
- Smile Taiwan 319 Townships+ has confirmed Yihe Village as the core cluster of Taiwan's tofu skin industry, with a large share of Taiwan's tofu skin factories located in Yunlin.
- Yihe Village accounts for roughly 70% of Taiwan's tofu skin output and is known as the 'Hometown of Tofu Skin' — an established record within Taiwan's soy products industry.
- Producers use non-GMO soybeans and Zhuoshui River groundwater; some factories have obtained food safety certifications.
Practical tips
- Tofu skin factories in Yihe Village are working production sites, not fully open for tourism. Confirm each factory's retail hours before visiting.
- Fresh tofu skin is a perishable product and should not be left at room temperature for more than one day. Refrigerate after purchase and consume within two days.
- Citong Township is primarily accessible by car; there is no direct public transport. The drive from Douliu city center to Yihe Village takes approximately 20 minutes.
Sources: Smile Taiwan 319 Townships+, Citong Township Farmers' Association. Photos pending Dio's on-site photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Citong called the "Hometown of Tofu Skin"?
Because the Yihe Community alone accounts for over 60% of Taiwan's tofu skin output, with Citong Township overall reaching about 70%.
Why do Citong producers use Zhuoshui River groundwater?
The river's lime-rich water aids soy milk coagulation, helping the tofu skin form more evenly.
What led to the tofu skin industry clustering in Citong?
Rice bran left over from local milling provided cheap fuel for the factories, combined with the area's mineral-rich groundwater.
Sources
- 雲林莿桐前三大豆皮廠 外銷美國年收破千萬 — 非凡新聞：莿桐豆皮產業規模與外銷概況
- 雲林莿桐豆皮，美味的秘訣全靠好功夫 — 微笑台灣：莿桐義和村豆皮產業與製程