White blocks of soybean curd made from soybeans, water, and a curdling agent, tofu is chock-full of protein and calcium and absorbs spices and flavorings well when you cook with it. There are two main types of tofu: soft/silken (also called Japanese-style) and firm/extra-firm/regular (also called Chinese-style). It is sometimes called bean curd and is sold fresh or packaged at most supermarkets.