The history of Sichuan Mapo Tofu dates back to the Qing Dynasty in the late 1800s. The dish was created by a woman named Chen Mapo, who was the owner of a small restaurant in the Sichuan province. Chen Mapo was known for her delicious tofu dishes, and she created Sichuan Mapo Tofu as a way to use up leftover ingredients and satisfy her customers. The name "Mapo" comes from Chen Mapo's nickname, which means "pockmarked old woman" in Sichuanese dialect. Legend has it that Chen Mapo was known for her pockmarked face, but her tofu dishes were so delicious that people continued to flock to her restaurant despite her appearance.