Rich & Flavorful Pork Belly and Tofu Stew
The Ultimate Rich and Savory Pork Belly and Tofu Stew Recipe
Traditional braised tofu often lacks a deep, rich flavor due to its watery broth. However, by incorporating thinly sliced pork belly (daepae samgyeopsal), you can create a truly delicious braised tofu dish with an incredibly savory and deep broth that will have you reaching for more rice!
Main Ingredients
- Thinly sliced pork belly (daepae samgyeopsal) – about 25 slices (half is sufficient)
- Firm Tofu – 1/2 block (approx. 200g)
- Green Onion – 1/2 stalk, chopped
Seasoning Ingredients
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) – 3 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce – 2 Tbsp
- Fish Sauce – 1 Tbsp (anchovy or sand lance)
- Sugar – 1 Tbsp (or corn syrup)
- Minced Garlic – 1 Tbsp
- Water – 1.5 cups (standard paper cup, approx. 270ml)
- Sesame Seeds – a pinch (for garnish)
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) – 3 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce – 2 Tbsp
- Fish Sauce – 1 Tbsp (anchovy or sand lance)
- Sugar – 1 Tbsp (or corn syrup)
- Minced Garlic – 1 Tbsp
- Water – 1.5 cups (standard paper cup, approx. 270ml)
- Sesame Seeds – a pinch (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare about 25 slices of thinly sliced pork belly. However, using just 10-15 slices is enough to make a delicious stew, so feel free to adjust the quantity to your preference.
Step 2
Take half a block of firm tofu (about 200g). Slice the tofu into pieces about 1.5cm thick. Avoid slicing them too thinly, as they hold their shape better during cooking.
Step 3
Get a pot or pan with a thick bottom. Start by laying the thinly sliced pork belly evenly across the bottom of the pot. The fat from the pork belly will add a wonderful richness to the tofu and broth.
Step 4
Arrange the sliced tofu on top of the pork belly, making sure not to overlap the pieces. As the tofu cooks, it will absorb the delicious flavors released from the pork belly.
Step 5
In a separate bowl, combine the gochugaru, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and minced garlic. Mix well to create the seasoning paste. Then, add 1.5 cups of water and stir until the paste is fully dissolved. (The photo shows the seasoning ingredients before water is added.)
Step 6
Pour the prepared seasoning sauce evenly over the tofu and pork belly. You can gently shake the pot to help the sauce seep in. Bring to a boil over high heat for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for another 10 minutes. During this time, taste the broth and if it’s not savory enough, add a little more soy sauce to adjust the seasoning.
Step 7
For a brothier stew, like I prefer, I added a little more water and a touch more soy sauce towards the end. This simmering process creates an exceptionally deep and delicious broth that’s perfect for spooning over rice. Feel free to adjust the amount of broth to your liking. Finally, garnish with the chopped green onions and sesame seeds for a beautiful presentation.
