Delicious Mapo Tofu Without Doubanjiang
Simple Homemade Recipe: Spicy and Sweet Mapo Tofu Rice Bowl Without Doubanjiang
You can make a wonderful Mapo Tofu using only the basic seasonings you have at home! Here’s a recipe for Mapo Tofu Rice Bowl that you can adjust to your liking, from a mild taste that even children love to a spicy version for adults.
Main Ingredients- 1 block of tofu (approx. 300-350g)
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 handful of minced green onions (approx. 50g)
- 150g minced pork or beef
- 100ml water
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 3 Tbsp water (for cornstarch slurry)
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp doenjang (fermented soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (adjust for spiciness)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1.5 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce (jin ganjang)
- A little sesame oil (for finishing)
- 1 Tbsp doenjang (fermented soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (adjust for spiciness)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1.5 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce (jin ganjang)
- A little sesame oil (for finishing)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare one block of tofu and cut it into bite-sized cubes, about 1.5cm to 2cm. Cutting the tofu beforehand allows some of its moisture to drain, which helps prevent it from breaking apart during cooking.
Step 2
Prepare the minced meat before you start cooking. If using frozen meat, make sure it is fully thawed.
Step 3
In a small separate bowl, measure out 1 tablespoon of doenjang. Doenjang plays a crucial role in adding umami and a deep flavor to the Mapo Tofu.
Step 4
Combine all the seasoning ingredients: gochugaru, gochujang, minced garlic, mirin, brown sugar, and soy sauce in a bowl and mix them well to create the sauce mixture. Preparing the sauce in advance makes the cooking process much smoother.
Step 5
Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the minced green onions and stir-fry until fragrant, being careful not to burn them. This step creates fragrant green onion oil, which enhances the overall flavor of the Mapo Tofu.
Step 6
Once the green onion oil is ready, add the minced meat to the pan. Increase the heat to high and stir-fry, breaking up any clumps, until the meat is cooked through and crumbly. It’s important to ensure the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink.
Step 7
When the meat is done cooking, pour 100ml of water into the pan.
Step 8
Turn the heat up to high and bring the water to a rolling boil.
Step 9
Once the water is boiling, add the prepared 1 tablespoon of doenjang. Stir well to dissolve it into the liquid and cook, as if stir-frying, until it’s well combined. Stir-frying the doenjang with the oil further deepens its savory taste.
Step 10
Next, pour all the pre-mixed seasoning sauce into the pan.
Step 11
Stir the sauce and meat mixture together with a spatula and let it simmer over medium heat until it thickens slightly and becomes bubbly. As the sauce reduces, the flavors will become more concentrated.
Step 12
Once the sauce mixture is bubbling, carefully add the cubed tofu. Gently mix to coat the tofu with the sauce, being careful not to break the tofu pieces.
Step 13
Continue to gently stir and cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the tofu to absorb the flavorful sauce. The tofu will become even tastier as it absorbs the sauce.
Step 14
In a separate small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water. Whisk until smooth to create a cornstarch slurry. It’s best to make this slurry right before you need it, as it can separate if left sitting.
Step 15
Gradually add the cornstarch slurry to the simmering Mapo Tofu while stirring gently, until you reach your desired consistency. Be careful not to make it too thick.
Step 16
Finally, turn off the heat and drizzle in some sesame oil to taste. The nutty aroma of the sesame oil will add another layer of flavor to the dish.
Step 17
Give it a final gentle stir after adding the sesame oil, and your delicious Mapo Tofu is ready!
Step 18
Serve generously over a bowl of warm rice for a delicious rice bowl, or enjoy it as a side dish. You can also garnish with chopped green onions or chili peppers if desired.
