Delicious Braised Tofu with a Golden Ratio Seasoning
The Best Home-Style Side Dish! Simple Yet Deep Flavored Tofu Braised Recipe (Baek Jong-won Style)
Transform half a block of leftover tofu into a fantastic main dish! With our secret, flavor-packed sauce, anyone can easily make ‘OMG-so-good’ braised tofu. It’s a real rice thief!
Main Ingredients- 1/2 block or 1 block of firm tofu (approx. 200-300g)
- A little perilla oil or cooking oil
Golden Sauce Ingredients- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/3 medium onion (approx. 50g)
- A little green onion (white parts preferred, approx. 20g)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 100ml water
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/3 medium onion (approx. 50g)
- A little green onion (white parts preferred, approx. 20g)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 100ml water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables for the sauce. Finely mince the garlic. Slice the onion into 3-4mm thick strips or chop it finely. Chop the green onion into small pieces.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, sliced onion, and chopped green onion. Add 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp sugar, and 100ml water. Mix well to create the sauce and set aside. Letting it sit for a moment will help the sugar dissolve.
Step 3
Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces (about 2cm thick) and pat them dry with paper towels. This helps prevent oil splattering when frying and ensures the tofu browns nicely.
Step 4
Heat a pan over medium-low heat and add a generous amount of perilla oil (or cooking oil). Pan-fry the tofu pieces on both sides until golden brown. Cooking slowly over medium-low heat allows the inside to warm through while the outside becomes nicely crisp.
Step 5
Once the tofu is golden brown, pour the prepared sauce evenly over the tofu pieces. Keep the heat at medium-low during this step.
Step 6
Simmer the sauce, basting the tofu with it using a spoon, until it thickens slightly and coats the tofu beautifully. Let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes until the sauce is reduced to your desired consistency and absorbed into the tofu. Gently flip the tofu pieces occasionally to prevent them from breaking.
Step 7
When the sauce has reached your desired consistency, turn off the heat and transfer the delicious braised tofu to a serving dish. It makes a wonderful meal when served with warm rice.
Step 8
Optional: For extra flavor and aroma, drizzle a little sesame oil and sprinkle some sesame seeds on top just before serving.
Step 9
Tip: For firmer tofu that holds its shape better and absorbs more flavor, you can briefly blanch the cut tofu in boiling water before pan-frying.
Step 10
If you prefer a spicier kick, add minced Cheongyang peppers or increase the amount of gochugaru.
