Spicy Braised Tofu with Tuna: A Rice-Stealing Dubu Jjigae Recipe
How to Make Delicious Braised Tofu with Tuna and Spicy Braising Sauce: A Perfect Dubu Jjigae Recipe for Rice
As the weather gets chilly, warm and spicy dishes come to mind! This is a side dish that can be easily made even when you have no appetite! With this one dish, you won’t need any other side dishes. We’ve made a spicy braised tofu with tuna, also known as ‘Dubu Jjigae’ (tofu stew). It’s so delicious when you mix it with rice, so we’ve prepared this fantastic braised tofu with tuna. Let’s get started on making this spicy braised tofu with tuna and dubu jjigae recipe!
Main Ingredients- 1 block firm tofu
- 1 can tuna (drained)
- 1 stalk green onion
- 1 onion
- 1-2 Korean green chili peppers (adjust to spice preference)
Spicy & Sweet Braising Sauce- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 0.5 Tbsp doenjang (fermented soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or similar)
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine for cooking)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 300ml water (approx. 1.5 cups)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 0.5 Tbsp doenjang (fermented soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or similar)
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine for cooking)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 300ml water (approx. 1.5 cups)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s gently remove some moisture from the tofu. Place the tofu on a sieve or lightly press it with paper towels. This helps prevent the tofu from breaking apart during cooking and allows the sauce to penetrate better.
Step 2
Once the tofu has some moisture removed, cut it into bite-sized pieces. Slicing it about 1 to 1.5 cm thick is ideal for absorbing the braising sauce and provides a pleasant texture.
Step 3
Lightly season the sliced tofu with salt. This pre-seasoning enhances the tofu’s flavor and helps it blend better with the sauce later on.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the delicious sauce that will define our braised tofu with tuna! In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes, 0.5 Tbsp doenjang, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, 1 Tbsp mirin, and 1 Tbsp sugar. Mix them well.
Step 5
Add 300ml (about 1.5 cups) of water to the sauce mixture and stir again until evenly combined. This completes our flavorful braising sauce for tofu and tuna. (Tip: If you prefer a more concentrated ‘jjigae’ style, use slightly less water. If you want more sauce, add a bit more.)
Step 6
Lay the roughly sliced onion (1 medium onion) at the bottom of your pot. The onion will add sweetness as it cooks and also prevent the tofu from sticking to the bottom.
Step 7
Arrange the pre-seasoned tofu slices on top of the onion, making sure they don’t overlap too much. It’s best to layer them in a single layer rather than stacking them densely for even cooking.
Step 8
In the center of the tofu, place the drained can of tuna. You can add it whole or gently break it up with a spoon.
Step 9
Now, pour the prepared spicy and sweet braising sauce evenly over the tofu and tuna.
Step 10
Gently arrange the ingredients in the pot so they are mostly submerged in the sauce. If you desire a more ‘jjigae’ (stew-like) consistency, you can add about half a cup more water at this stage. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Step 11
Once the stew begins to bubble, reduce the heat to medium. Continuously spoon the simmering sauce over the tofu and tuna to ensure the flavors meld beautifully. Let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes.
Step 12
While the braised tofu is cooking, thinly slice the green onion (1 stalk) diagonally and finely chop the Korean green chili peppers (1-2). The chili peppers add a nice kick, so adjust the amount to your liking.
Step 13
After about 10 minutes of simmering, when the sauce has reduced slightly and the ingredients have started to absorb the flavors, add the sliced green onions and chopped chili peppers.
Step 14
Spread the green onions and chili peppers evenly, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer gently, allowing the flavors to deepen and the sauce to reduce further. This step infuses the vegetables’ aroma and creates a richer sauce.
Step 15
When the sauce has reached your desired consistency (nice and thick like a jjigae), sprinkle with a little black pepper. This completes your delicious braised tofu with tuna, or ‘Dubu Jjigae’!
Step 16
This is a wonderfully thick and flavorful ‘jjigae’ style braised tofu with tuna, where the ingredients are infused with the rich sauce. Just looking at it makes your mouth water, doesn’t it?
Step 17
With this incredibly tasty braised tofu with tuna, you won’t need any other side dishes. It’s truly the ultimate rice accompaniment.
Step 18
Prepare to enjoy the most delicious meal by placing a fried egg on top of warm rice and mixing it with the savory sauce from this braised tofu with tuna. Give it a try!
Step 19
The combination of the spicy, savory sauce, soft tofu, and rich tuna is a truly irresistible flavor that never gets old. Enjoy a satisfying meal with this spicy braised tofu with tuna, ‘Dubu Jjigae’!
