Wang Zhihe's stinky tofu is very smelly, but Empress Dowager Cixi still eats it every day for two reasons.

Originally, the dishes of the monarchs and harems of the Qing Dynasty were sumptuous but simple and not exaggerated. There were also strict regulations on food expenses, and each meal was not allowed to exceed the ration of silver required.

But when it comes to the Empress Dowager Cixi, everything is fleeting and only depends on her own preferences.

The Empress Dowager Cixi was extremely arrogant and extravagant. Not only did she spend thousands of gold to collect precious jewelry, but she was also extravagant when eating. The banquet she gave for her sixtieth birthday even cost tens of millions of taels of silver.

But even though it was so luxurious, she had to eat a simple dish for every meal, which was stinky tofu made by Wang Zhihe.

The first reason why Wang Zhihe stinky tofu appealed to the Empress Dowager Cixi was its taste.

Wang Zhihe stinky tofu is still liked by many people today, which shows that its taste is indeed delicious and special.

Although stinky tofu is extremely smelly, it becomes more and more delicious after you eat it.

Moreover, the Empress Dowager Cixi had tasted almost all delicacies from the mountains and seas. Then a novel stinky tofu suddenly appeared. Naturally, she was very curious and liked it very much.

The second reason why Empress Dowager Cixi had stinky tofu in every meal was because of Wang Zhihe's "advertisement".

Wang Zhihe discovered the deliciousness of stinky tofu by accident.

At that time, a friend came to see him in a hurry. He left the house without caring about packing the tofu. When he came back, the stinky tofu had grown green hair. Wang Zhihe could only shave off the hair and add seasonings to marinate it. Later, he forgot

He didn't know about this until one day he wanted to find a side dish to eat and opened the pickling container. The tofu was already smelly, but he tasted it and it was delicious.

Later, Wang Zhihe wrote a poem about stinky tofu, which was used both as an answer to the exam and as an advertisement. Unexpectedly, he was promoted to an official because of it, and even Cixi heard about this delicacy he made.

The stinky tofu is so delicious and the advertising is good. Many people in the capital know that the stinky tofu made by Wang Zhihe is very special. It would be unreasonable for Cixi if she has not tasted it.

After she tasted it, she praised it repeatedly, and eventually every meal must have stinky tofu.