Shin Dong-yeop’s Recipe! Soft Braised Tofu with Eggs
A Hearty Main Dish Made with Tofu: Braised Tofu with Eggs is the Best!
This recipe for braised tofu with eggs is inspired by Shin Dong-yeop’s cooking, creating a dish that’s not overly spicy and wonderfully tender. The combination of tofu and eggs is simply divine! It’s a perfect main course that pairs beautifully with rice.
Main Ingredients
- 1 block (about 350-400g) firm tofu (for pan-frying)
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1 stalk green onion
- 2 large eggs
Seasoning/Sauce
- Pinch of fine salt
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 200ml water
- Pinch of fine salt
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 200ml water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare 1 block of firm tofu, ideally the type meant for pan-frying, as it holds its shape better. Cut the tofu block into three equal pieces horizontally, then cut each piece into two vertically, resulting in six rectangular pieces. Avoid slicing them too thinly to prevent breakage during cooking.
Step 2
Place the cut tofu pieces on a layer of paper towels. Press down gently and allow the paper towels to absorb excess moisture. This step helps firm up the tofu and makes it more receptive to the braising sauce. Lightly sprinkle the top surface of the tofu with fine salt for a subtle seasoning.
Step 3
While the tofu is draining, thinly slice the white parts of the green onion into small pieces (chopping them finely). You can reserve the green parts for garnishing later.
Step 4
Finely chop about half of a medium onion. The onion will add natural sweetness and depth to the sauce. Aim for a similar amount of chopped onion as the chopped green onion.
Step 5
In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil, and 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar. Mix well to create the sauce base. Add the finely chopped onion and the sliced white parts of the green onion to the sauce and toss everything together to combine.
Step 6
Heat a frying pan with a generous amount of cooking oil over medium-high heat. Carefully place the lightly salted tofu pieces in the hot oil and pan-fry them until they are golden brown and lightly crisp on both sides. This step not only adds a nice texture but also helps the tofu maintain its shape during braising.
Step 7
Prepare a wide, lidded pan or pot. Spread the prepared onion and green onion mixture evenly across the bottom of the pan. This layer will form the base for the braised tofu and infuse it with flavor.
Step 8
Arrange the golden-brown pan-fried tofu pieces around the edge of the pan, on top of the sauce mixture. Leave the center of the pan empty; this is where the eggs will be placed.
Step 9
Pour 200ml of water into the pan. Turn the heat up to high and bring the mixture to a boil. The water will help the sauce ingredients meld together and start the braising process.
Step 10
Once the liquid is bubbling vigorously, reduce the heat to medium. Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce until the sauce is slightly thickened and coats the ingredients (becomes ‘jajak’). You can gently swirl the pan occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom.
Step 11
When the sauce has reduced to your desired consistency, carefully crack two eggs directly into the empty center space of the pan. Try not to break the yolks.
Step 12
Cover the pan with a lid and continue to cook over low heat until the egg whites are set but the yolks are still soft and runny (sunny-side up or soft-boiled). The eggs are ready when the whites are opaque. Avoid overcooking if you prefer a runny yolk.
Step 13
Your delicious braised tofu with eggs is now ready! For an extra touch of freshness and color, sprinkle with the reserved chopped green parts of the green onion. For the best experience, enjoy the soft-boiled egg yolk first – break it and mix it with the flavorful tofu and sauce. It’s a truly delightful combination!