Spicy and Sweet Braised Tofu Recipe
Beloved National Side Dish: Braised Tofu
Introducing a delicious braised tofu recipe with a perfect balance of spicy and sweet flavors that will make you reach for more rice! It’s simple to make, foolproof, and an excellent addition to your banchan (side dish) repertoire.
Main Ingredients- 1 block of tofu (approx. 300-400g)
- A few green onions, finely chopped
- A little carrot, thinly julienned or minced (optional)
- A sprinkle of sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 1 paper cup of water (200ml)
Seasoning Sauce Ingredients- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce (ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar or corn syrup (oligo-dang)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of black pepper (a few grinds)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce (ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar or corn syrup (oligo-dang)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of black pepper (a few grinds)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by making the delicious seasoning sauce! In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 4 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp sugar (or corn syrup), 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and a pinch of black pepper. Add a good amount of finely chopped green onions and mix well. If you’d like to add carrot, you can finely mince some leftover carrot pieces and mix them in. (Tip: If you’re adding onions, they can make the sauce taste weaker, so it’s recommended to add onions last after adjusting the seasoning. It’s delicious with just green onions!)
Step 2
If you are using a large block of tofu, around 520g, the amount of sauce ingredients listed above might be a bit much. In this case, it’s best to reduce each sauce ingredient by about 0.5. For example, use 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru, 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, 3.5 Tbsp soy sauce, 0.5 Tbsp oyster sauce, 0.5 Tbsp sugar, and 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil. (Tip: For a 300g block of tofu, the listed sauce quantities are perfect.)
Step 3
Cut the tofu into your desired serving pieces. Cutting them about 1.5cm thick will help them hold their shape during cooking without breaking apart.
Step 4
Add a generous amount of cooking oil to a pan. Place the tofu pieces in the pan, then turn on the heat. (*Very Important: If you put the tofu into a preheated pan, the oil can splatter dangerously. Always add oil to a cold pan, place the tofu, and then turn on the heat.)
Step 5
Over medium-low heat, lightly pan-fry the tofu on both sides until golden brown. You don’t need to make it super crispy; just cook until the surface firms up slightly and develops a nice color.
Step 6
Once the tofu is fried, turn off the heat. Wrap a paper towel around the tip of your chopsticks and gently press it onto the pan to absorb and remove any excess oil. This step helps prevent the braised dish from becoming too greasy.
Step 7
Now, pour all the prepared seasoning sauce over the fried tofu in the pan. Pour 1 paper cup (200ml) of water into the empty sauce bowl to rinse out any remaining sauce, and pour that into the pan as well. Gently stir the tofu to coat it evenly with the sauce.
Step 8
Reduce the heat to low and begin braising. Occasionally, gently flip the tofu pieces with chopsticks or a spatula to ensure the sauce is evenly absorbed. (Tip: If the heat is too high, the sauce can easily burn, so be sure to maintain a low heat. The sauce might look concentrated as it simmers, but the flavor will beautifully infuse into the tofu, making it perfect with rice.)
Step 9
Once the sauce has thickened slightly and generously coated the tofu, turn off the heat. Transfer the delicious braised tofu to a serving dish. Finish by sprinkling some sesame seeds on top for extra flavor and visual appeal. Enjoy your satisfying meal with this flavorful braised tofu!
