My Favorite Braised Tofu
Guaranteed Rice-Stealer! The Ultimate Delicious Braised Tofu Recipe
Today, I’m sharing my go-to recipe for braised tofu! This is how I always make it, and it’s truly my absolute favorite way to enjoy braised tofu. It’s incredibly delicious and satisfying!
Ingredients for Braised Tofu- 1 block (approx. 300g) firm tofu
- 1/2 medium onion (approx. 80g)
- 1-2 Korean green chili peppers (adjust to your spice preference)
Braising Sauce Ingredients- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, approx. 15g)
- 0.5 Tbsp Maesil-cheong (plum syrup) or Oligodang (corn syrup, approx. 8g)
- 4 Tbsp Soy Sauce (approx. 60ml)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine, approx. 15ml)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic (approx. 10g)
- 150ml Water
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil or Perilla Oil (approx. 15ml)
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, approx. 15g)
- 0.5 Tbsp Maesil-cheong (plum syrup) or Oligodang (corn syrup, approx. 8g)
- 4 Tbsp Soy Sauce (approx. 60ml)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine, approx. 15ml)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic (approx. 10g)
- 150ml Water
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil or Perilla Oil (approx. 15ml)
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Pat the tofu block dry with paper towels and cut it into 1.5cm thick slices. Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Pan-fry the tofu slices until they are golden brown and slightly crispy on both sides. This step prevents the tofu from breaking apart and helps it absorb the sauce better, making it more delicious.
Step 2
Thinly slice the onion. Slice the Korean green chili peppers diagonally; you can remove the seeds if you prefer less heat, or leave them in for more spice. Using 2 chili peppers will give it a good kick.
Step 3
In a bowl, combine all the braising sauce ingredients: 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru, 0.5 Tbsp maesil-cheong or oligodang, 4 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp mirin, and 1 Tbsp minced garlic. Mix well to create the sauce.
Step 4
Arrange the pan-fried tofu slices in a pot or a wide pan. Neatly place the sliced onions and chili peppers on top of the tofu. Pour the prepared braising sauce evenly over everything. Add 150ml of water and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
Step 5
Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and thicken. Periodically, open the lid and spoon some of the sauce over the tofu and vegetables to ensure they are evenly coated and absorb the flavors.
Step 6
When the tofu and vegetables have absorbed the sauce and the liquid has reduced to a desirable consistency, turn off the heat. Drizzle in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil or perilla oil for extra aroma and flavor. Finally, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for garnish. Your delicious and visually appealing ‘favorite’ braised tofu is ready to be enjoyed!
