Sweet & Savory Beef Tofu ‘Gangjeong’ (Crispy Glazed Bites)
Delectable Korean Sweet and Sour Beef Tofu Gangjeong Recipe
Experience the delightful chewy texture and tangy-sweet flavor of this simple Beef Tofu Gangjeong! It’s incredibly easy to make and perfect as a side dish or a fun snack.
Main Ingredients- Tofu: 200g (firm, pan-frying type recommended)
- Minced Garlic: 3 cloves worth
- Minced Onion: 1/5 of a small onion
- Beef: Approx. 50g (ground beef or thinly sliced bulgogi cut)
- Starch Powder: As needed (cornstarch, potato starch, or even flour can be substituted)
Sauce Ingredients- Sugar: 2 Tbsp
- Vinegar: 2 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce: 1 Tbsp
- Mirin (Rice Wine): 1 Tbsp
- Salt: A pinch
- Black Pepper: A pinch
- Ketchup: 20g (approx. 1-2 single-serving packets)
- Hot Sauce: 3.5g (approx. 1 single-serving packet)
- Sesame Seeds: As needed
- Sugar: 2 Tbsp
- Vinegar: 2 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce: 1 Tbsp
- Mirin (Rice Wine): 1 Tbsp
- Salt: A pinch
- Black Pepper: A pinch
- Ketchup: 20g (approx. 1-2 single-serving packets)
- Hot Sauce: 3.5g (approx. 1 single-serving packet)
- Sesame Seeds: As needed
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cut the tofu into bite-sized squares, about 1.5 cm thick. Sprinkle the cut tofu lightly with salt and pepper to season, then let it sit for a moment. In a separate bowl, combine the sauce ingredients: 2 Tbsp sugar, 2 Tbsp vinegar, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, and 1 Tbsp mirin. Mix well to create the gangjeong sauce. Set this aside.
Step 2
Prepare the minced garlic and minced onion. For the beef, sprinkle 1/3 Tbsp of sugar over it and mix evenly to marinate. This step helps tenderize the beef and enhances its savory flavor.
Step 3
Gently pat the marinated tofu dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Then, coat the tofu pieces evenly with starch powder. Ensuring a good coating of starch will help create a crispy exterior when fried.
Step 4
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, carefully place the starch-coated tofu pieces into the pan, making sure they don’t overcrowd or stick together. Pan-fry them slowly until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.
Step 5
Once the tofu is nicely fried, transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. While the tofu rests, reheat the same pan with any remaining oil. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry until it’s cooked. As the beef cooks, sprinkle starch powder over it through a sieve. This technique helps prevent the ground beef from clumping and ensures even cooking.
Step 6
When the beef is fully cooked, add the minced garlic and minced onion to the pan and stir-fry until fragrant. Next, add the ketchup (20g, about 1-2 packets) and hot sauce (3.5g, 1 packet). Pour in 3 Tbsp of the prepared gangjeong sauce and stir everything together until well combined and the sauce starts to thicken slightly.
Step 7
Add the fried tofu pieces back into the pan with the sauce mixture. Pour in the remaining gangjeong sauce. Stir-fry quickly to coat the tofu evenly with the sauce until it becomes glossy and well-glazed. Be careful not to overcook, as the tofu might become too soft.
Step 8
Transfer the finished Sweet and Sour Beef Tofu Gangjeong to a serving plate. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for an extra nutty aroma and flavor. Enjoy this delicious dish while it’s warm!
