Classic Braised Tofu Recipe
How to Make Quick and Delicious Braised Tofu
A simple and satisfying braised tofu recipe that’s perfect for a quick meal. This dish makes a wonderful side for rice and is also a great appetizer or snack.
Main Ingredients- 1 block of firm tofu (about 300-350g)
- Pinch of salt (for seasoning tofu)
- Cooking oil, as needed (for pan-frying tofu)
Braising Sauce- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 3 Tbsp Minced Scallions (green part)
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 3 Tbsp Minced Scallions (green part)
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp Sugar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by preparing 1 block of firm tofu. While freshly made tofu is ideal, cold tofu works well too. Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm thick squares. Gently press the cut tofu pieces with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. This step helps prevent oil splattering when frying and results in a crispier texture. Sprinkle a pinch of salt evenly over the tofu pieces and let them sit for about 10 minutes to lightly season.
Step 2
Let’s make the braising sauce that gives this dish its wonderful flavor. In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp Gochugaru, 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 3 Tbsp finely minced scallions, 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, and 0.5 Tbsp sugar. Mix everything thoroughly with a spoon until the sugar is dissolved, creating a delicious braising sauce.
Step 3
Now it’s time to pan-fry the tofu. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Carefully place the seasoned tofu pieces into the hot oil. Fry the tofu until both sides are golden brown and slightly crispy, similar to a pan-fried pancake. This step enhances the tofu’s texture.
Step 4
Once the tofu pieces are nicely golden brown on both sides, push them to one side of the pan or transfer them to a separate plate. Spoon the prepared braising sauce generously over the fried tofu. Ensure the sauce is spread evenly over the tofu pieces.
Step 5
Rinse out the bowl you used for the sauce. Pour 1/4 cup of water (approximately 50ml, using a standard Korean paper cup) into this bowl to dissolve any remaining sauce. This ensures no flavor is wasted and enriches the braising liquid.
Step 6
Pour the diluted sauce from the bowl over the tofu in the pan. The sauce will begin to coat the tofu.
Step 7
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Using a spoon, continuously ladle the sauce from the pan over the tofu pieces (basting). Repeat this process for about 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Occasionally flip the tofu gently to ensure even cooking and prevent burning. Adjust the heat to keep the sauce from reducing too much.
Step 8
Your delicious, classic braised tofu is ready! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
