Baek Jong-won Style Braised Tofu: Chewy and Savory National Side Dish
Making Baek Jong-won’s Delicious Braised Tofu at Home!
Hello everyone, this is Gurumdalbit! Today, I’m excited to share a recipe for a delicious braised tofu dish, a staple ingredient loved by everyone. I decided to try Baek Jong-won’s recipe, and as expected, it offered a uniquely delightful flavor profile for braised tofu. Braised tofu is a fantastic side dish that pairs perfectly with rice, and it’s also a great option for an appetizer or a late-night snack. Let’s dive into Baek Jong-won’s special recipe to create tofu that’s crispy on the outside and wonderfully soft on the inside!
Main Ingredients
- 8 slices of tofu (approx. 308g)
- A little green onion
- 1/4 onion
Seasoning Sauce
- 1 Tbsp red chili flakes (gochugaru)
- 0.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or rice wine)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp red chili flakes (gochugaru)
- 0.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or rice wine)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the seasoning sauce. We’ll add the sesame oil at the end, so don’t include it for now. Combine all the seasoning ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Step 2
Thinly slice the onion. Finely chop the green onion. Baek Jong-won’s recipe emphasizes using a generous amount of green onions.
Step 3
Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces. Use paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth to thoroughly pat the surface of the tofu dry. This step helps prevent oil splattering during cooking and keeps the tofu from breaking apart.
Step 4
To further prevent oil splattering and to firm up the tofu, lightly sprinkle the cut tofu with salt and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Heat about 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Pan-fry the tofu until it’s golden brown and firm. Baek Jong-won’s recipe highlights that cooking slowly over medium heat for a longer time develops a chewier texture. Fry the tofu until its surface is firm and nicely browned.
Step 5
Once the tofu is nicely browned and firm, carefully drain off most of the excess oil from the pan. Baek Jong-won’s recipe advises not to add too much water. Pour in about 1/3 cup of water (using a paper cup as a measure) and arrange the prepared onion and green onion slices on top of the tofu. Reduce the heat to low.
Step 6
(Tip) If you added the onion and green onion a bit late, use a spoon to ladle some of the prepared seasoning sauce over the tofu and around the sides. This will help the seasoning penetrate better and enhance the flavor.
Step 7
Simmer gently over low heat until the sauce has reduced to a glaze and the ingredients are well combined. Once the liquid has mostly evaporated and the seasoning has adhered well to the tofu, turn off the heat. Finally, drizzle with 0.5 tablespoon of sesame oil for shine and extra flavor. Your Baek Jong-won style braised tofu is complete!
Step 8
It’s absolutely delicious! This version offers a different charm compared to other braised tofu recipes, like Kim Su-mi’s. It’s fascinating how the order of ingredients or cooking methods can create such distinct flavors. Baek Jong-won’s recipe, with its crispy pan-fried tofu and the finishing touch of sesame oil, results in a savory and glossy braised tofu that’s incredibly appealing. The taste is always top-notch! Give this recipe a try!
