If you’re no stranger to the staples of Japanese, Chinese, and other Asian cuisines, you might already be a fan of yuba. Now brands like Trader Joe’s and Hodo are bringing these fun-to-eat sheets of soy to the masses.

“Trader Joe’s Tofu Sheets aren’t technically tofu—at least not in the traditional sense,” the company explains. “They’re what’s known throughout Asia as yuba, a.k.a. the delicate ‘tofu skin’ that forms atop soy milk when heated on a stovetop.”

Yuba’s taste is similar to tofu’s, but its texture isn't. Unlike blocks of tofu, yuba comes in thin sheets that are pleasantly chewy and springy.

And yuba is easy to use. A few ideas:

• Chop into bite-size pieces and toss in a stir-fry with vegetables like shiitake mushrooms and bok choy.
• Slice into strips to replace some or all of the noodles in a dish like Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, or Lo Mein.
• Stir-fry bits and toss into an Asian-inspired salad (try shredded cabbage, carrots, greens, and a soy-sesame or ginger-miso dressing).

Check out The Healthy Cook’s yuba recipes.

Since the only ingredients are soybeans and water, a 3 oz. serving of Trader Joe’s “tofu sheets” delivers 15 grams of protein, 10 percent of a day’s iron, and a dose of healthy unsaturated fat for only 150 calories.

How’s that for a sweet soy surprise!