Crispy and Chewy Tofu Gangjeong (Sweet and Spicy Korean Fried Tofu)
Homemade Tofu Gangjeong Recipe
Have a block of tofu sitting in your fridge? Instead of eating it plain, transform it into delicious Tofu Gangjeong! This recipe features tofu that’s crispy on the outside and delightfully chewy on the inside, coated in a sweet and spicy glaze that will tantalize your taste buds. It’s a perfect snack for kids and an excellent accompaniment to drinks for adults!
Main Tofu Ingredients- 1 block Tofu (approx. 300g)
- Cornstarch (or frying powder) enough to coat
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, draining the tofu is crucial. Cut 1 block of tofu into approximately 2~2.5cm cubes. If they are too small, they might break easily, so aim for a manageable size.
Step 2
Place the cubed tofu in a large bowl and add half a tablespoon of salt. Salting helps to draw out moisture from the tofu and season it from within. Gently mix to avoid breaking the tofu. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, then thoroughly pat the surface of the tofu dry with paper towels.
Step 3
After draining the tofu, put a generous amount of cornstarch into a resealable plastic bag. Add the drained tofu, seal the bag tightly, and shake well. Ensure the cornstarch evenly coats all sides of the tofu; this is the secret to a crispy texture. Shake gently to prevent clumps.
Step 4
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan. Add the cornstarch-coated tofu and fry until all sides are golden brown and crispy. Since the cornstarch coating can cause the pieces to stick, it’s best to fry them in batches, leaving some space between each piece. Once golden brown, remove the fried tofu and place it on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
Step 5
Now, let’s make the delicious Gangjeong sauce. In a small bowl, combine 1.5 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp oligodang, 0.5 Tbsp gochugaru, and 2 Tbsp ketchup.
Step 6
Add half a tablespoon of minced garlic to the sauce mixture. To achieve the right consistency, add half a cup of water and stir until all sauce ingredients are well combined.
Step 7
Clean the pan used for frying the tofu, or use another pan, and pour in the prepared sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer over low heat. Once it starts to bubble, reduce the heat slightly.
Step 8
Add the pre-fried tofu back into the pan with the sauce. Gently toss the tofu to ensure it’s evenly coated with the glaze. Cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, being careful not to let the sauce burn or become too thick. If you want to maximize the crispiness of the tofu, consider making the sauce separately and pouring it over the finished tofu just before serving.
Step 9
Finally, sprinkle generously with sesame seeds for a beautiful finish! For an extra nutty flavor and texture, you can also add some crushed nuts along with the sesame seeds.
