Delicious Braised Tofu (Kim Soo-mi Style)
How to Make Kim Soo-mi’s Simple Braised Tofu: An Easy Tofu Dish Recipe
We’ve prepared Kim Soo-mi’s famous braised tofu recipe. This dish is a comforting and flavorful addition to any meal.
Main Ingredients- 1 block Firm Tofu (firm or frying tofu recommended)
- 1/2 Onion
- 1 Cheongyang pepper (Korean chili pepper)
- 1 Red chili pepper
- 2 Tbsp Minced Scallions
- Plenty of Olive oil or cooking oil
Braising Sauce- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic (approx. 1 tsp)
- 2 Tbsp Water
- 2 tsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic (approx. 1 tsp)
- 2 Tbsp Water
- 2 tsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the chili peppers. Remove the seeds from the Cheongyang and red chili peppers, then cut them into quarters and mince them very finely. (If you prefer a bit more texture, you can cut them into halves before mincing.)
Step 2
Finely chop the scallions. You’ll need about 2 tablespoons of minced scallions.
Step 3
Peel and thinly slice the half onion. These will be added on top of the tofu later.
Step 4
Cut the tofu into large, bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm thick). Cutting them thicker helps prevent them from breaking apart during cooking.
Step 5
It’s important to remove excess water from the tofu. Pat both sides of the tofu pieces dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth. This helps prevent oil splatter when frying and makes the tofu crispier.
Step 6
Now, let’s make the delicious braising sauce. In a bowl, combine the minced Cheongyang pepper and red chili pepper, minced scallions, soy sauce, minced garlic, water, gochugaru, and sesame oil. Mix everything thoroughly with a spoon until well combined. (Tip: For a touch of sweetness, you can add about 1/2 teaspoon of sugar or corn syrup.)
Step 7
Preheat a pan over medium-low heat and add a generous amount of olive oil or cooking oil. Carefully place the tofu pieces in the hot oil, ensuring they don’t overcrowd the pan. Pan-fry the tofu until both sides are golden brown and slightly crispy. Once the tofu is lightly browned, evenly spoon the prepared braising sauce over the tofu pieces.
Step 8
Reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan or let it simmer gently until the sauce has thickened slightly and coats the tofu beautifully. Be careful not to overcook, as the sauce can become too salty. Once the sauce has reduced, turn off the heat.
Step 9
In a separate pan, add a little oil and lightly sauté the thinly sliced onions over medium heat until they become translucent. (Tip: A tiny pinch of salt while sautéing can enhance the onions’ natural sweetness.)
Step 10
Arrange the beautifully braised tofu on a serving plate. Top generously with the sautéed onions.
Step 11
Finally, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds over the top for an extra nutty aroma. Your delicious and appetizing braised tofu is now ready to be served!
