Towards the end of Qing Dynasty Emperor Xianfeng's reign, Chen Chunfu opened a smaN but popular restaurant near Chengdu's Wanfu Bridge. People traveled miles to taste his wife's culinary creations
Chen's pock-faced wife had unique seasoning skills, and tofu dishes were her specialty. She flavored her beancurd with minced beef, peppers, and spicy bean sauce. Wandering sellers of cooking oil would regularly stop off at the restaurant for one of her zesty dishes. Customers nicknamed the hostess "Pockmarked Grandma Chen," and in time her most popular fare became known simply as Pockmarked Grandma's Beancurd.
Purveyors of cooking oil passed through Wanfu Bridge when traveling into Chengdu, and never failed to pay a visit to Chen's restaurant. They'd bring Pockmarked Grandma Chen oil and beef to make her dishes even more delectable.
The restaurant earned an excellent reputation, and served an endless stream of people every day. Many others tried and failed to copy the dish. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, Pockmarked Grandma's Beancurd was honored as a "Chengdu Delicacy," and became one of the country's most famous dishes.
This Sichuan-style dish can be found in Chinese restaurants all over the world. Tinned Pockmarked Grandma's Beancurd is also widely available.
