Wheatsville Popcorn Tofu Is a True Austin Dish | Eater Austin
"An Old Austin, member-owned grocery founded in 1976, this beloved cooperative is prized for its cozy, local-focused deli and an iconic popcorn tofu that has become a lifeline for vegetarians and snack lovers alike. Created around 2008 by a deli cook named Wonko, the snack was born from combining a wet marinade and dry coating into a single batter and quickly sold out daily when produced in small batches; after kitchen upgrades a commercial fryer allowed much larger quantities. Each nugget delivers a strong umami hit from the batter, with a texture that—especially when eaten cold straight from the plastic deli container—lands between crispy and chewy as the flavor soaks into the porous soy curd; chasing the salty crust crumbs at the bottom of the container is a particular pleasure. The preparation is deliberate: tofu is deep-frozen to strengthen texture and help the batter cling, then thawed, pressed, torn into bite-sized pieces, and battered in a mix of vegan chicken broth, tamari, flour (now gluten-free), cornmeal, nutritional yeast, and a spice blend of sea salt, black pepper, onion powder, oregano, and thyme before frying to golden brown. The recipe has stayed largely consistent, with a Buffalo variant—originally a Super Bowl special—now outpacing the original in popularity. Popcorn tofu has spawned its own uses across the deli menu (po’ boys, greens-and-grain bowls, burritos, and even, briefly, as a pizza topping), is made fresh throughout the day to keep shelves stocked, and is described by staff as a labor of love that represents the store’s crunchy, locally minded approach to food." - Eric Webb
