Spicy & Sweet Tofu Braise (Baek Jong-won Style)
Baek Jong-won’s Fail-Proof, Super Simple Tofu Braise: A Spicy and Sweet Side Dish That Steals Your Rice!
Tofu braise is a beloved staple side dish that many home cooks make. This incredibly simple recipe, inspired by Baek Jong-won, is perfect for anyone, and once you master it, you’ll use it for a lifetime! Its delicious flavor is so addictive, it’s guaranteed to make you devour your rice. Get ready to enjoy a truly satisfying and comforting meal!
Ingredients- 1 block (approx. 300-350g) firm tofu
- 1 Cheongyang chili pepper (or other hot chili pepper)
- 1/2 stalk green onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
- 1 Tbsp fermented shrimp paste
- 2 Tbsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 cup (200ml) purified water (or anchovy-kelp broth)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic (about 5g)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients for your tofu braise. Drain the tofu by placing it on a sieve, and wash and thinly slice or mince the green onions and chili peppers to save cooking time.
Step 2
Gently rinse the tofu under running water and lightly pat it dry. Then, cut it into your desired serving size. A thickness of about 1cm to 1.5cm is ideal; too thin and it might crumble during cooking, too thick and the sauce may not penetrate well. Feel free to adjust the thickness to your preference. Finely mince the Cheongyang chili pepper. If you prefer less heat, you can substitute with a regular red chili or green pepper.
Step 3
Arrange the tofu pieces in a wide pot or pan, making sure they don’t overlap. Evenly scatter the sliced green onions and minced chili pepper over the tofu. Pour in 1 cup of purified water. Some recipes call for pan-frying the tofu until golden brown or coating it with starch before braising. However, cooking it without oil results in a wonderfully clean, non-greasy flavor. This makes it a great option for those who prefer a lighter taste or are mindful of their diet.
Step 4
Now it’s time to add the seasoning. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp of fermented shrimp paste, 2 Tbsp of Korean chili flakes, 2 Tbsp of soy sauce, 1/3 Tbsp of sugar, and 1/2 Tbsp of minced garlic evenly over the tofu. Add the 1 cup of water to submerge the tofu. You can add the seasoning ingredients directly onto the tofu, or you can mix them together in a small bowl beforehand. The taste difference is usually negligible, so feel free to choose the method that’s most convenient for you.
Step 5
Begin cooking over medium heat. Once the liquid starts to boil, gently stir the mixture with a spatula to ensure the sauce coats the tofu evenly. As the liquid reduces and thickens, lower the heat to low. Finally, drizzle in 1 Tbsp of perilla oil. Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, your delicious tofu braise is ready! If you prefer a saucier dish, you can taste it and turn off the heat when it reaches your preferred level of moisture. As the sauce reduces, the salty flavor intensifies, making it an excellent pairing with rice.
Step 6
This perfectly cooked tofu braise is a true ‘rice thief’ with its savory and satisfying flavor! The recipe is so straightforward, it hardly needs explaining. Simply follow these steps, and you’re guaranteed to create a delicious tofu braise without any worries. Elevate your meals with this fantastic homemade side dish!
