Taho: Filipino Silken Tofu with Sago (2024)

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This Taho: Filipino Silken Tofu with Sago recipe makes for the perfect anytime-of-the-day snack. Simple to make, refreshing, and one of my favorite childhood treats.

If you’re in the mood for more Filipino recipes, then try my Pork Lumpia Shanghai recipe, next!

Taho: Filipino Silken Tofu with Sago (1)

Taho: Filipino Silken Tofu with Sago

“Taho! TAHOOO!” Memories of Taho venders walking along the streets selling this delicious breakfast or merienda (snack) in the streets of a small province in the Philippines come to mind anytime I indulge in this delicious sweet treat.

Taho is a Filipino snack food made of silken tofu, arnibal (sweetener), and sago (tapioca pearls) beautifully layered in a cup and served typically warm, but can also be served chilled.

Trying Taho for the first time in the Philippines

I tried taho for the first time as a child, while vacationing in the Philippines with my mom and sister. My younger cousins would wake up, gather their pesos (monetary unit served in the Philippines) and wait for the Taho vendor to make his way to our street.

Sometimes referred to as local breakfast heroes, these vendors stand out; balancing two buckets on their shoulders–one filled with warm silken tofu, the other housing arnibal and sago pearls.

Upon telling him how how many cups of taho you want, he swiftly ladles the tofu into an 8 ounce or smaller cup, tops it with arnibal and sago pearls and finishes it off with a quick swirl of his spoon.

Taho is love at first bite; a perfect balance of sweet, chewy sago balls and custardy silken tofu. The flavors and textures marry so well together and a is such a comforting treat.

After first trying it in the Philippines, I enjoyed it so much that would beg my mom to make her own rendition, and sometimes, she’d obliged me.

What Type of Tofu to Use for Taho

Silken Tofu can be found in four options of firmness: extra firm, firm, soft, and silken. When making taho, keep a lookout for silken tofu. The texture is custard-like and delicate, which is ideal for this sweet-treat.

What is Arnibal?

Arnibal is the Tagalog word for simple syrup. Its texture is that of syrup, has a unique slightly burnt and caramelized flavor and is dark in color. It’s simple to make, requiring water, brown sugar and for those who prefer, vanilla flavoring.

If you prefer your arnibal on the sweeter side, the color will appear darker, richer, and have a richer mouthfeel. I prefer less sweeter arnibal, so mine tends to be lighter in color and thinner in texture.

What is Sago?

Sago are similar to tapioca and boba pearls, the difference is in the ingredients. Sago is made from an edible pith found in palm trees, whereas tapioca and boba pearls are made from cassava root. You can use either for this recipe.

Bear in mind that the larger the pearl, the longer the cooking time. Pictured for this recipe are large pearls, but oftentimes I opt for small tapioca pearls, as the cooking time is significantly less. You can find sago or tapioca pearls at most Asian markets.

How to Make Taho

Taho is simple in preparation and assembly. What takes the most time is cooking the tapioca pearls, everything else is quite simple.

  1. Cook tapioca pearls as directed on package. Once cooked, drain and return to pot used to cook pearls. Add a tablespoon of arnibal to lightly flavor pearls. Set aside.
  2. Let’s make the arnibal. In a saucepan, add water, brown sugar, and vanilla extract and bring to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes or until you begin to smell caramelized notes from from the mixture and the texture is syrup-like. Turn off heat cover and set aside.
  3. In a steamer lined with parchment paper, carefully add silken tofu and cook for 10 minutes or until warmed through.
  4. To serve, scoop thin layers of tofu into a small cup. Top with warm arnibal and sago (or tapioca pearls). Serve warm.

My Take on Taho

What I’m sharing with you is how my momma would make taho for me. We prefer it less sweet, but if you’d like the arnibal on the sweeter side (the traditional way), add more brown sugar, adjusting the sweetness to your liking.

In the Mood for Filipino Eats?

Then check out my childhood favorites that are beloved by many:

  • Chicken Adobo
  • Pork Adobo
  • Sinangag
  • Chicken and Shrimp Lumpia

Do You Love This Recipe As Much As We Do?

Leave a comment below and share your love for this recipe on Instagram and Pinterest. We love to see you get down in the kitchen. Happy eating!

Taho: Filipino Silken Tofu with Sago

5 from 2 votes

This Taho: Filipino Silken Tofu with Sago recipe makes for the perfect anytime-of-the-day snack. Simple to make, refreshing, and one of my favorite childhood treats.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Jeri Mobley-Arias

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine Filipino

Ingredients

Sago

  • ½ cup sago or tapioca pearls
  • Water for cooking

Arnibal (sweetener)

  • cups water
  • 1⅓ cups brown sugar
  • teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Silken Tofu

  • 16 ounces silken tofu
  • Steamer basket for warming

Instructions

  • Cook sago or tapioca pearls as directed on package. Once cooked, drain and return to pot used to cook pearls. Add 2 tablespoons of arnibal to lightly flavor pearls. Set aside.

  • In a saucepan, add water, brown sugar, and vanilla extract and bring to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes or until you begin to smell caramelized notes from from the mixture and the texture is syrup-like. Turn off heat cover and set aside.

  • In a steamer lined with parchment paper, carefully place silken tofu onto a plate. Place into steamer basket and steam for 10 minutes or until warmed through.

  • To serve, scoop thin layers of tofu into a small cup. Top with warm arnibal and sago (or tapioca pearls). Serve warm.

Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @whisperofyum on Instagram and hashtag it #whisperofyum!

Taho: Filipino Silken Tofu with Sago (2024)

FAQs

How to heat up silken tofu for taho? ›

If you prefer to eat taho warm, place the block of tofu into a cheesecloth-lined steamer and steam for 6-8 minutes or until heated. With a knife or sharp spoon, cut the soft silken tofu into thin slivers of varying thickness.

What is taho made of in the Philippines? ›

Tahô (Tagalog: [tɐˈhoʔ]) is a Philippine snack food made of fresh soft/silken tofu, arnibal (sweetener and flavoring), and sago pearl (similar to tapioca pearls).

What Filipino dessert is made from soft tofu? ›

Taho (Filipino Sweet Tofu Dessert) Taho is a layered dessert made with steamed silken tofu, brown sugar syrup, and sago pearls. This is traditionally served warm, but it can also be enjoyed chilled.

Does taho need to be refrigerated? ›

A: Taho: To retain its freshness for up to 2 days, make sure to properly store it in the fridge and remove the excess water from the tub.

Do you need to cook silken tofu before eating? ›

Soft and silken tofu are ready to go right out of the package (though, technically, any tofu can be eaten raw). Drain off the excess water, and eat up! Draining/Blotting: For block tofu, I like to slit the package and drain out the packing water.

What is sago made of? ›

Sago (/ˈseɪɡoʊ/) is a starch extracted from the pith, or spongy core tissue, of various tropical palm stems, especially those of Metroxylon sagu. It is a major staple food for the lowland peoples of New Guinea and the Maluku Islands, where it is called saksak, rabia and sagu.

Is it OK to eat taho everyday? ›

Taho is a dessert made from sweetened tofu and syrup, and it is high in sugar and calories. Consuming too much sugar and calories can lead to weight gain and other health issues. No, eating taho every day is not healthy. Taho is a sweet snack made from a mixture of silken tofu, tapioca pearls, and sugar syrup.

Which is better, tapioca or sago? ›

Tapioca and sago pearls are both used the same way and can be substituted for any recipe. The only reason why tapioca pearls are more desirable is because they are more accessible and cheaper than the real sago pearls.

What does taho do to your body? ›

It can enhance the skin and hair, boost energy, and help maintain a healthy weight. Research has linked tofu, with its high levels of isoflavones, to a lower risk of several age- and lifestyle-related diseases.

What is the English of taho? ›

Noun. A Philippine snack food made from sweetened flavoured tofu with sago pearls.

Is silken tofu healthy? ›

Silken tofu and firm tofu are both high in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, and they're both good sources of vitamins C, A, E, and calcium. However, silken tofu has a lower ratio of calcium than firm tofu. It also has a different B complex profile, with higher levels of B3, B9, and B6, which provide energy.

What is the first Filipino dessert? ›

The origins of halo-halo can be traced back to pre-colonial times when indigenous Filipino communities enjoyed desserts made from shaved ice and sweetened fruits. These early desserts were simple yet satisfying, often incorporating local ingredients like coconut, palm sugar, and tropical fruits.

How do you know if taho has gone bad? ›

Use all your senses to tell if a food has gone bad by looking, touching and smelling the tofu. Spoiled tofu tends to have a darker color of tan or even brown. Mold may form on the surface or you may see discoloration. Tofu that has gone bad also tends to be slimy and have a sour or rotten odor – fresh tofu has no odor.

Can I reheat taho? ›

To reheat the taho, you can either use the microwave or have it steamed.

Can you eat taho for breakfast? ›

Taho consists of fresh soft or silken tofu, arnibal or caramelized sugar, and sago pearls. It's usually sold by roaming taho peddlers during the early morning and is best eaten hot (though it's also quite delicious cold). Since it's a soy-based food, taho is a great healthy breakfast meal to start your day.

How do you soften silken tofu? ›

Carefully lower the block of tofu into a pot of gently boiling water — you need just enough to cover the tofu by an inch or so. Reduce the heat to low and poach the tofu for at least 5 minutes (although you can allow it to sit in the hot water to keep it warm until ready to serve).

Can you reheat silken tofu? ›

Reheating Silken Tofu

If you don't want to use a microwave, you can put the tofu in a pot of boiling water and let it stay there for a few minutes, then drain off the excess water and use the tofu as you would.

How do you heat up tofu? ›

Place the tofu on a microwavable dish, sprinkle some water, and cover it with plastic wrap loosely to allow steam to escape your microwave. Set it with low heat and reheat for about 1 minute to 30 seconds. Check them after 30 seconds to ensure they are warm all through.

What happens if you boil silken tofu? ›

The purpose of both boiling and pressing tofu is to reduce moisture. The former process is grounded in both reason and preservation of the tender quality of bean curd, while Western cooking educators are hellbent on the view that tofu is unmanageable without the firmest, chewiest possible texture.

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