Spicy Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) Recipe
Mastering Spicy Braised Tofu: A Delicious Recipe with a Kick
Introducing a delightful braised tofu dish, perfect for drizzling over rice with its generous, flavorful sauce. It makes a wonderful side dish or a hearty meal when mixed with rice. The spicy, zesty flavor is incredibly delicious and satisfying.
Main Ingredients- Tofu 290g (firm or pan-frying tofu recommended)
- Green Onion 1 handful (approx. 30g)
- Cooking Oil 1 swirl (approx. 1 Tbsp)
- Perilla Oil (Deulgireum) 1 swirl (approx. 1 Tbsp)
Spicy Sauce (using adult-sized spoon)- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes) 2 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Oyster Sauce 0.5 Tbsp
- Sesame Oil 1 Tbsp
- Black Pepper a pinch (dash)
- Sesame Seeds a pinch
- Water 100ml (approx. half a standard paper cup)
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes) 2 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Oyster Sauce 0.5 Tbsp
- Sesame Oil 1 Tbsp
- Black Pepper a pinch (dash)
- Sesame Seeds a pinch
- Water 100ml (approx. half a standard paper cup)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
For this braised tofu, firm or pan-frying tofu is recommended as it has a lower water content and holds its shape well during cooking. However, any type of tofu can be used to achieve a delicious result.
Step 2
Gently rinse the tofu under cold running water, then place it in a colander to drain thoroughly. Removing excess water is key to preventing splattering when pan-frying and achieving a beautiful shape.
Step 3
You can use frozen green onions if you have them. Prepare about one handful of chopped green onion. Thaw and chop if using frozen.
Step 4
Let’s make the star of this dish: the spicy sauce! In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 0.5 Tbsp oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, a pinch of black pepper, and a pinch of sesame seeds. Mix well. Finally, add 100ml of water and stir until the sauce is well combined.
Step 5
Cut the drained tofu into your desired pieces, about 1.5-2cm thick. Pat the cut tofu pieces dry again with paper towels. This step helps the tofu achieve a crispier texture when pan-fried.
Step 6
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add about one swirl (1 Tbsp) of cooking oil and one swirl (1 Tbsp) of perilla oil. Using perilla oil adds a wonderful nutty aroma that enhances the flavor of the braised tofu.
Step 7
Arrange the dried tofu pieces in the heated pan and fry them over low heat until golden brown on both sides. Be careful not to use high heat, as the outside may burn before the inside is cooked.
Step 8
Once one side of the tofu is golden brown, carefully flip the pieces to brown the other side, still maintaining low heat. The tofu should develop a nice golden-brown color where it touches the pan.
Step 9
Gently push the tofu pieces to one side of the pan or lift them slightly, then pour the prepared spicy sauce evenly over the entire pan. Keep the heat on low.
Step 10
Once the sauce begins to bubble, cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. This allows the tofu to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
Step 11
After 5 minutes, remove the lid and carefully flip the tofu pieces to coat the other side with the sauce. Cover again and simmer over low heat for another 2 minutes until the dish is complete. The tofu should be thoroughly infused with the sauce.
Step 12
Your delicious spicy braised tofu is ready! The combination of the spicy, zesty sauce and the nutty perilla oil makes this a perfect dish that will have you devouring your rice. Serve it over hot rice and enjoy this ultimate rice thief!
