Soft and Savory Braised Tofu Recipe
A Must-Have for Home Cooking! Deliciously Soft Braised Tofu with Perfectly Infused Flavors, Ideal as a Side Dish!
We’ve prepared the beloved classic, braised tofu, in a wonderfully soft texture using the most fundamental seasonings. This flavorful braised tofu is so delicious it’s like a ‘rice thief’ – it’s fantastic even when mashed into rice. It makes an excellent side dish that can be prepared in advance and enjoyed over time, and it’s also a satisfying option for lunchboxes.
Ingredients for Braised Tofu- 1 block Firm Tofu (approx. 300g)
- 1 stalk Scallion
- 2 Green Chilies
- 2 Red Chilies
- 5 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Rice Syrup (or Corn Syrup)
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/3 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes)
- 3 Tbsp Water
- Sesame Seeds, for garnish
- Sesame Oil, for garnish
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients for the braised tofu. Drain the tofu and wash the scallions and chilies thoroughly.
Step 2
Cut the tofu into 4-5cm thick slices lengthwise, then cut each slice in half, resulting in 8 pieces total. Cutting them not too thinly will help them maintain their shape and prevent breaking during cooking.
Step 3
Sprinkle 3 pinches of salt evenly over the sliced tofu and let it sit for 10 minutes to marinate. Tip: This step helps to lightly remove moisture from the tofu and allows it to absorb flavor, leading to a tastier braised tofu.
Step 4
While the tofu is marinating, finely chop the scallions. Remove the seeds from the green and red chilies, then mince them finely or chop them. The chilies add both color and a mild spicy kick.
Step 5
In a bowl, combine 5 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp rice syrup, 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1/3 Tbsp sugar, 1 tsp gochugaru, and 3 Tbsp water. Mix well to create a delicious sauce. This is the golden ratio for sweetness, saltiness, and spiciness.
Step 6
Gently press the marinated tofu with paper towels to remove excess water. Be careful not to press too hard, as this can cause the tofu to break apart.
Step 7
Arrange the drained tofu pieces neatly in a wide pan. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the tofu. Tip: If you are stacking the tofu in two layers, first place a layer of tofu, pour some sauce, then add the second layer of tofu and pour the remaining sauce. This alternating method ensures the sauce penetrates evenly.
Step 8
Cover the pan with a lid and simmer over very low heat until the sauce has reduced and become slightly thick. Cooking over medium-high heat can burn the tofu, so it’s crucial to cook it slowly over low heat.
Step 9
Once the sauce has thickened and permeated the tofu beautifully, turn off the heat. Garnish with the prepared scallions and chilies, and drizzle with sesame seeds and sesame oil. Your perfectly savory and soft braised tofu is ready!
