Ma Po Tofu is a classic Sichuan dish known for its bold, spicy, and numbing flavors, featuring soft tofu simmered in a savory sauce with minced pork, fermented black beans, chili, and Sichuan peppercorns. The dish originated in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, in the late 19th century and is named after its creator — a woman nicknamed Ma Po, meaning “pockmarked old woman,” who ran a small restaurant. Over time, Ma Po Tofu became one of the most iconic dishes of Sichuan cuisine, celebrated for its signature málà (spicy and numbing) taste and comforting, hearty texture.