Spicy and Savory Braised Tofu with Eggs
A Fantastic Side Dish: Spicy and Savory Braised Tofu with Eggs
Introducing our incredible ‘Braised Tofu with Eggs,’ featuring a fantastic combination of firm tofu and soft eggs, all coated in a deliciously spicy and savory sauce. While it may resemble a Western shakshuka in appearance with its vibrant colors, the taste is pure, deeply flavored Korean braised tofu! This dish is a true rice thief, guaranteed to make you devour an extra bowl of rice. We’ll guide you through this delightful recipe, perfect for special occasions or to elevate an everyday meal.
Main Ingredients- 2 blocks Firm Tofu (recommended for frying)
- 3 Eggs
- 2 Korean Green Chilies (for a spicy kick)
- 1/2 Red Chili Pepper (for beautiful color)
- 1 stalk Green Onion (about 10cm long)
- Pinch of Salt (for seasoning tofu)
- 1.5 cups Water (approx. 300ml)
Spicy Braising Sauce- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce (approx. 45ml)
- 1 Tbsp Soup Soy Sauce (approx. 15ml, for extra umami!)
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, approx. 30g, adjust for spice level)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic (approx. 15g)
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Syrup (approx. 30ml, or rice syrup, sugar)
- A little Sesame Oil (for nutty aroma)
- A little Black Pepper (to taste)
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce (approx. 45ml)
- 1 Tbsp Soup Soy Sauce (approx. 15ml, for extra umami!)
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, approx. 30g, adjust for spice level)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic (approx. 15g)
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Syrup (approx. 30ml, or rice syrup, sugar)
- A little Sesame Oil (for nutty aroma)
- A little Black Pepper (to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gently press any excess water from the tofu. Cut it into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5-2cm thick. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the cut tofu and let it rest for 10 minutes. This helps firm up the tofu and seasons it from within, making it more delicious.
Step 2
Now, let’s make the star of the dish: the sauce! In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce, 3 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 2 Tbsp cooking syrup. Mix well. Finally, add a little sesame oil and a pinch of black pepper for fragrance, and your spicy braising sauce is ready.
Step 3
Finely mince the Korean green chilies and red chili pepper, removing the seeds first. Thinly slice the green onion as well. Finely chopped vegetables will absorb the braising sauce beautifully, enhancing the flavor.
Step 4
Heat some cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Pan-fry the prepared tofu pieces until golden brown on both sides. This step prevents the tofu from breaking apart easily during braising and adds a wonderful nutty flavor. Aim for a nice golden-brown color.
Step 5
Carefully transfer the pan-fried tofu to a pot or a deep skillet. Pour the prepared spicy sauce evenly over the tofu. Add 1.5 cups (approx. 300ml) of water. Gently mix the ingredients to ensure the tofu is coated with the sauce.
Step 6
Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Once bubbling, sprinkle the thinly sliced green onions, Korean green chilies, and red chilies evenly over the tofu. The colorful garnish will surely whet your appetite.
Step 7
Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer until the sauce has reduced to about 1 cup. This concentrated sauce will beautifully coat the tofu. When the sauce is nearly reduced, create a small well in the center and carefully crack in the 3 eggs. Cook until the egg whites are set. Turn off the heat once the yolks are cooked to your liking (you can adjust the doneness of the yolks).
Step 8
Serve the braised tofu and eggs directly from the pot! It makes for an incredible meal when paired with a hot bowl of rice. It’s also perfect for mixing with rice!
