Delicious and Foolproof Braised Tofu Recipe
The Golden Recipe for Simple and Successful Braised Tofu
Braised tofu (Dubu Jorim) is wonderfully simple, but achieving the perfect flavor can be tricky, which is why many shy away from making it! This recipe will guide you through creating a delicious and foolproof version of this affordable and nutritious dish. Learn how to master it without failure!
Ingredients for Braised Tofu- 1 block (approx. 380g) firm tofu
- 3 pinches salt (for draining tofu)
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1/4 medium onion
Golden Ratio Braising Sauce- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 stalk green onion
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or rice syrup (for gloss and sweetness)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 stalk green onion
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or rice syrup (for gloss and sweetness)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing the tofu. Slice the tofu into approximately 1cm thick pieces. Sprinkle 3 pinches of salt evenly over the surface of the sliced tofu and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. This process draws out excess moisture, making the tofu firmer and less likely to break apart during cooking. It also allows the tofu to absorb flavor more effectively.
Step 2
Peel the onion, wash it thoroughly, and then slice it thinly into half-moons. The natural sweetness of the onion will add a wonderful depth of flavor to the braised tofu.
Step 3
Finely chop the green onion, including both the white and green parts. Wash it under running water before chopping. The fragrant aroma of the green onion will enhance the braising sauce.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the delicious braising sauce. In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp corn syrup, 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, and the finely chopped green onion. Add 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds and 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil for a final touch of aroma. Mix all the ingredients well with a spoon until the sauce is smoothly combined.
Step 5
Heat a wide pan over medium heat and add 2 Tbsp of cooking oil. Swirl the oil to coat the pan. Carefully place the prepared tofu slices in a single layer in the hot pan. Ensure there’s a little space between each piece to prevent sticking.
Step 6
Pan-fry the tofu, flipping it gently, until each side is golden brown and slightly crisp. This step not only improves the texture of the tofu, giving it a pleasant chewiness, but also creates a surface that absorbs the braising sauce beautifully.
Step 7
Once the tofu is nicely browned on both sides, arrange the thinly sliced onions evenly over the top of the tofu pieces. This allows the onions to steam and soften as the dish cooks, releasing their natural sweetness into the sauce.
Step 8
Spoon the prepared braising sauce evenly over the tofu and onions. Make sure to coat everything generously. Be mindful of the amount of sauce so it doesn’t reduce too much too quickly.
Step 9
Reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cover the pan with a lid and let it braise gently for about 10 minutes. This low and slow cooking allows the flavors to meld perfectly and the tofu to absorb the delicious sauce. Check occasionally to ensure the sauce isn’t reducing too much.
Step 10
Your delicious braised tofu is now ready! It’s a perfect side dish to serve with a bowl of warm rice. Enjoy your meal!
