Chef Shin Dong-yeop’s Secret! Tender and Deep-Flavored Braised Tofu
The Ultimate Home-Cooked Meal: A Perfect Recipe for Delicious Braised Tofu
With the popularity of cooking shows these days, more and more delicious and new recipes are emerging, aren’t they? Thanks to that, our home dining tables are becoming richer! This time, I tried making the braised tofu that Shin Dong-yeop introduced on the show ‘What Should I Eat Today?’ as ‘Mom’s taste’. The tofu is lightly pan-fried until golden brown on the outside and remains soft inside, thoroughly infused with a savory sauce that makes it a true rice thief! Complete your hearty and delicious meal with this simple yet deeply flavorful recipe!
Main Ingredients- Tofu (for pan-frying), 1.5 blocks
- Eggs, 2
- Salt, a pinch (for seasoning tofu)
- Cooking oil, a little
Sauce Ingredients- Onion, 1/2
- Green onion, 1 stalk
- Green chili peppers, 2
- Gochugaru (Korean chili powder), 2 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds, a little
- Sugar, 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce, 3 Tbsp
- Sesame oil, 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic, 1 Tbsp
- Water (generous amount)
- Onion, 1/2
- Green onion, 1 stalk
- Green chili peppers, 2
- Gochugaru (Korean chili powder), 2 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds, a little
- Sugar, 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce, 3 Tbsp
- Sesame oil, 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic, 1 Tbsp
- Water (generous amount)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, slice the tofu into thick pieces, about 1.5 cm thick. Sprinkle salt lightly over the surface of the sliced tofu to season it; this helps the flavor penetrate into the tofu, making it even more delicious. Let it sit for a moment, then place it on a sieve or use paper towels to drain off excess water. Removing excess water prevents oil splattering when frying and results in a more savory crust.
Step 2
Now, let’s make the sauce. Finely chop the onion. Thinly slice the green onions and green chili peppers. In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp gochugaru, a little sesame seeds, 1 Tbsp sugar, 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp sesame oil, and 1 Tbsp minced garlic. Mix them well to create the sauce. At this stage, add a generous amount of water, more than 1 cup, to prevent the sauce from being too salty and to create a delicious braising liquid that complements the tofu. More water will help the tofu absorb the flavors better.
Step 3
Heat a frying pan over medium heat, add a generous amount of cooking oil, and place the drained tofu slices. Pan-fry the tofu on both sides until it’s lightly browned and firm. While tofu is often braised directly without frying, pan-frying first removes some moisture, firming up the texture and adding a nutty, savory flavor. Carefully transfer the fried tofu slices to a hot pot or a deep pan.
Step 4
Pour the prepared sauce generously over the tofu in the hot pot. It’s best to add enough sauce to cover the tofu surfaces, or even a little more than you think, to ensure it’s well-seasoned. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat slightly and let it simmer until the sauce is absorbed into the tofu. Spooning some of the braising liquid over the tofu periodically will enhance the flavor.
Step 5
When the braised tofu is almost done, crack the 2 eggs into the pot around the tofu or directly on top. Cook for a little longer until the egg yolks are half-cooked (soft-boiled). This completes the delicious braised tofu, featuring a wonderful combination of tender tofu and creamy eggs! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice!
