Braised Tofu with Pork Belly: The Ultimate Rice-Stealing Side Dish
Spicy Pork Belly Tofu Braise Recipe, Baek Jong-won Style Sauce, Perfect with Rice, Great as a Side Dish, Easy Tofu Dish
Introducing our household’s favorite, Braised Tofu with Pork Belly! This dish is a staple, often made with various added ingredients, serving as a simple yet satisfying side. The delightful combination of chewy pork belly and tender tofu creates an exceptional flavor even without complex seasonings. This recipe is my own twist on the #BaekJongwonTofuBraise and #BaekJongwonPorkBellyTofuBraise, inspired by Baek Jong-won’s style, using leftover pork belly from making spicy bean sprout stir-fry. The savory sauce infused into the tofu and the rich flavor of the pork belly are addictively delicious, making you finish your rice in no time! I’ll guide you through it step-by-step, making it easy even for beginners!
Main Ingredients
- 1 block Firm Tofu (320g)
- 180g Sliced Pork Belly
- 1/2 Onion
- 1 stalk Green Onion
- 2 Korean Green Chilies (Cheongyang peppers)
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
Seasoning Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (Anchovy or Tuna extract)
- 0.7 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (or Cooking Wine)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (Anchovy or Tuna extract)
- 0.7 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (or Cooking Wine)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
For this braised tofu, you can add various ingredients like tuna, Spam, or mushrooms instead of pork belly to make it even more delicious and varied.
Step 2
Slice the tofu into thick, about 1cm pieces. Thinly slice the onion. Cut the green onion, green chilies, and red bell pepper diagonally. Lay the sliced pork belly in a single layer at the bottom of a pot. This prevents the tofu from sticking and adds richness as the fat renders.
Step 3
Arrange the sliced tofu neatly over the pork belly. Then, evenly spread the sliced onions and green onions on top of the tofu.
Step 4
In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, fish sauce, and minced garlic. These three core ingredients are the key to its savory depth.
Step 5
Add the mirin to eliminate any porky smell, and then stir in the gochugaru for a spicy kick to complete the seasoning sauce. Mix everything well until the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Step 6
Pour the prepared seasoning sauce evenly over the ingredients in the pot. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it starts boiling, add the red bell pepper and the remaining green onion on top. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer until the sauce thickens and flavors meld into the ingredients. Covering the pot will help the tofu become even more tender.
Step 7
The finished braised tofu is delicious served directly from the pot. The savory and spicy flavor is incredibly addictive with rice. You’ll find yourself finishing your rice before you know it!
Step 8
Here’s a beautifully plated serving. The tender, savory tofu and chewy pork belly create a harmonious bite that will definitely make you crave more rice.
Step 9
This is a fantastic dish to make easily with leftover ingredients when you’re short on side dishes. While pan-frying the tofu until golden is also delicious, I personally prefer braising it directly in the sauce without frying, as it makes the tofu incredibly soft and tender.
Step 10
Wondering what to make for dinner tonight? How about this spicy and delicious braised tofu for your Friday night meal? It’s excellent as a side dish or even as a drinking snack. This time, try adding a bit of pork belly for an extra special treat. You’ll enjoy the dual flavors of tofu and pork belly in this ultimate rice and drink thief! Enjoy your meal!
