Tofu
Overview
Tofu is one of the most common foods on the Korean table today, but the Donguibogam classes it as having toxicity — not in the modern sense, but as a classical caution about its cooling, qi-stagnating nature when eaten to excess. The text's warning about overeating tofu with alcohol is a striking, very specific piece of dietary advice from four centuries ago.
In the Donguibogam
寶鑑
Traditional functions
- Benefits qi
- Harmonizes the spleen and stomach
Traditional applications
- General digestive harmonization
- Everyday plant-protein nourishment
Traditional preparation
Eaten cooked in soups, stews, and side dishes as a daily food; the classics recommend moderation, especially alongside alcohol.
Cautions
Frequently asked questions
Is tofu actually dangerous, since the Donguibogam calls it toxic?
No — this reflects a classical dietary caution about its cold, qi-stagnating nature when overeaten, not a modern toxicity finding. Tofu is a normal, safe food in moderation today.
What specific warning does the Donguibogam give about tofu?
It warns that overeating tofu together with alcohol can cause dangerous bloating, made worse by drinking — and notes that drinking cold water was the traditional remedy.
Sources
- 동의보감 탕액편 (원문) — 한문 원문 발췌 — 한의학고전DB 탕액편 대조 검증 완료 (DATA-001)
- 한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 국역 참조 후 자체 재서술 (LEGAL-001)