Chen Chuming is the brand owner of Chen Chuming smelly bean curd, a famous brand in Zhoushan. [Photo/WeChat account: zsqdly]

Chen Chuming smelly bean curd is a famous brand in Zhoushan that is known for its traditional taste.

The brand owner is Chen Chuming, a Wenling native who used to sell his Taiwan-style smelly bean curd on the streets using a wheelbarrow. He now operates a store located across the Elderly University in Dinghai district.

Odd-odor bean curd occupies the entire life of Chen, who gets up at three or four in the morning to prepare for the day's business.

Creating this snack is much more difficult that it seems. Mastering the dish requires a keen understanding of the time it should spend in the pan as well as the amount of heat required to ensure a crispy exterior and moist interior.

When the bean curd turns from greyish white to golden yellow, Chen slathers a secret sauce on it to impart its distinctive flavor.

Although the bean curd has an unpleasant smell from a distance, the stench turns into an aroma when it is held near the nose.

"Children who came to eat my bean curd in the past now return with their own children," said Chen with a smile.

For regular customers, the flavor of Chen Chuming smelly bean curd has etched into their memories. Even the versions sold in trendy shops going viral online cannot compare with his traditional taste.

The crispy bean curd is dipped in sauce. [Photo/WeChat account: zsqdly]

Customers queue to eat Chen's smelly bean curd. [Photo/WeChat account: zsqdly]