Part 4/8:
To uncover the historical roots of Mapo Tofu, a notable documentary from the early 1980s titled Chugoku No Shoku Bunka provides insights. Filmed in a legendary restaurant in Chengdu called Chen Mapo, the documentary captured chefs preparing what closely resembles modern-day Mapo Tofu. However, the absence of chili bean paste in the 1980s representation signifies that even then, the evolution of the dish was already underway.