What is "mapo tofu," and what makes it a distinctive dish in Sichuan cuisine?

Mapo tofu is a classic dish from Sichuan cuisine known for its spicy and numbing flavors. The key components of mapo tofu are tofu cubes and minced pork (or sometimes beef), cooked in a sauce made from doubanjiang (fermented broad bean paste), chili oil, and Sichuan peppercorns. The combination of these ingredients creates a dish with a unique balance of heat, umami, and a characteristic numbing sensation from the peppercorns. The dish is typically served with steamed rice.