Tofu Kimchi Stir-fry: Perfect as a Makgeolli Snack or a Hearty Side Dish!
Try This Delicious Tofu Kimchi Stir-fry Recipe at Home
Introducing a comforting and flavorful Tofu Kimchi Stir-fry that’s always a delight. The perfect harmony of well-fermented kimchi and tender tofu makes this dish an ideal accompaniment to makgeolli (Korean rice wine) or a satisfying and clean-tasting side dish for any meal. Everyone in the family will love this! Follow along and make it yourself.
Main Ingredients- Well-fermented kimchi, 1.5 cups (approx. 300g)
- Tofu, 1/2 block (approx. 150g)
- Onion, 1/2
- Green onion, 1/2 stalk
- Cheongyang pepper, 1 (optional, for spice level)
- Red chili pepper, 1 (for color)
Seasoning Ingredients- Soy sauce, 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (rice wine), 1 Tbsp
- Plum extract, 1 Tbsp
- Corn syrup, 2 Tbsp (or oligodang)
- Black pepper, a pinch
- Minced garlic, 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), 2 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste), 1 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds, a pinch
- Sesame oil, 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce, 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (rice wine), 1 Tbsp
- Plum extract, 1 Tbsp
- Corn syrup, 2 Tbsp (or oligodang)
- Black pepper, a pinch
- Minced garlic, 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), 2 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste), 1 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds, a pinch
- Sesame oil, 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash and prepare all the ingredients for the dish. Chop the kimchi into bite-sized pieces and set aside the tofu. Slice the vegetables appropriately.
Step 2
Let’s start by making the core of this delicious Tofu Kimchi Stir-fry: the seasoning sauce. In a medium-sized bowl, add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
Step 3
Add 1 tablespoon of mirin to help remove any unwanted odors and add umami.
Step 4
Add 1 tablespoon of plum extract for a sweet and sour flavor and a glossy finish.
Step 5
Add 2 tablespoons of corn syrup for sweetness. You can also use oligodang.
Step 6
Sprinkle in a pinch of black pepper for added aroma.
Step 7
Add a generous 1 tablespoon of minced garlic to give the stir-fry its deep flavor.
Step 8
Add 2 tablespoons of gochugaru for a spicy kick and vibrant color. Feel free to add more if you like it spicier.
Step 9
Incorporate 1 tablespoon of gochujang for a rich, spicy, and savory taste.
Step 10
Add a pinch of sesame seeds for a nutty flavor.
Step 11
Finally, add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil to enhance the dish’s overall aroma and taste.
Step 12
Using a spoon or whisk, thoroughly mix all the seasoning ingredients together until well combined. Ensure there are no lumps in the sauce.
Step 13
Slice half an onion into large, roughly 1cm pieces. Cutting them this way helps maintain a pleasant texture when cooked.
Step 14
Finely chop half a stalk of green onion. The green onion will add sweetness and a fresh aroma as it cooks.
Step 15
If you enjoy a spicy flavor, thinly slice one Cheongyang pepper diagonally. Adjust the amount according to your preference.
Step 16
Slice one red chili pepper diagonally for a beautiful pop of color. You can omit this if unavailable.
Step 17
Chop the well-fermented kimchi into bite-sized pieces, about 3cm in length. You’ll need about 1.5 cups (measured by a paper cup). Be careful not to chop it too finely, as it can become mushy when stir-fried.
Step 18
Now it’s time to season. Place the sliced onions, green onions, and chili peppers into a large bowl.
Step 19
Add the chopped kimchi to the bowl as well.
Step 20
For an even richer and more satisfying dish, you can add about 200g of thinly sliced pork belly (or pork neck). (This ingredient is not in the original input but greatly enhances the flavor.)
Step 21
Pour the prepared seasoning sauce evenly over the ingredients in the bowl.
Step 22
Use your hands to gently mix everything together, ensuring the sauce coats all the ingredients well. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes for the flavors to meld beautifully. If you’re short on time, you can proceed to cooking immediately.
Step 23
Now, let’s prepare the tofu. Place half a block of tofu into a clean bowl.
Step 24
Submerge the tofu in boiling water for about 10 minutes or until lightly cooked. This process removes any raw tofu smell and firms it up, making it easier to slice without breaking.
Step 25
Carefully remove the blanched tofu from the water and drain any excess moisture.
Step 26
Slice the prepared tofu into uniform pieces, about 1cm thick. You can also serve these slices directly on a plate as they are.
Step 27
If you want to make it extra special, especially for children or guests, try creating cute shapes. Get some cookie cutters ready.
Step 28
Place a cookie cutter on top of a tofu slice and press down firmly. You’ll create adorable shapes like circles or stars.
Step 29
Use black sesame seeds to create eyes and a mouth on your cute tofu shapes, bringing them to life!
Step 30
Dip the tip of a chopstick into the stir-fry sauce and gently dab it onto the cheeks of your cute tofu characters to give them a lovely blush.
Step 31
Now, let’s get stir-frying. Heat a preheated pan with a generous amount of cooking oil, such as grapeseed oil. Add the chopped green onions and sauté until fragrant.
Step 32
Once the aroma of the green onions starts to fill the air, add all the marinated ingredients from the bowl into the pan.
Step 33
Stir-fry over high heat until the kimchi is tender and the pork (if added) is fully cooked. The kimchi will soften and the flavors will blend with the meat, creating a wonderful aroma.
Step 34
It’s important to stir frequently to prevent the sauce from burning. Once the meat is cooked and the vegetables are tender, turn off the heat.
Step 35
Transfer the deliciously stir-fried Tofu Kimchi to a serving dish.
Step 36
Artfully arrange the cute tofu shapes you made around or on top of the stir-fry for a beautiful presentation. Your impressive dish is ready!
Step 37
How about enjoying a cool glass of makgeolli with this wonderfully spicy and sweet Tofu Kimchi Stir-fry today? It’s the perfect pairing!
