Tofu & Fried Tofu Pouch Sushi (Yubu Chobap)
Homemade Tofu Yubu Chobap featured on ‘I Live Alone’
Hello! Today, we’re making the popular Tofu Yubu Chobap that was featured on the hit Korean variety show ‘I Live Alone’. This recipe is a healthy and delicious twist on traditional sushi, using mashed tofu instead of rice for a lighter yet satisfying meal. Let’s dive into how to easily create these delightful bites at home!
Ingredients for Tofu Yubu Chobap- 1/2 block (large) firm tofu
- 1 set of pre-packaged Yubu Chobap kit
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare one set of the pre-packaged Yubu Chobap kit. These kits are typically portioned for one person and usually contain about 8 pieces of seasoned fried tofu pouches.
Step 2
Inside the kit, you’ll find not only the fried tofu pouches but also a sweet and sour sushi vinegar mix and a savory seasoned topping mix, making the cooking process incredibly convenient.
Step 3
We’re using half a large block of firm tofu. Tofu, with its soft texture, acts as a fantastic substitute for rice, allowing us to enjoy yubu chobap in a healthier way.
Step 4
Mash the tofu using the back of a knife, then press out excess water using a tofu press, cheesecloth, or a fine-mesh sieve (like an onion bag, as seen on TV). While the show often uses mashed tofu directly, excess moisture can make the sushi soggy. Therefore, we’ll lightly pan-fry it to remove moisture for a much cleaner and more pleasant texture.
Step 5
Place the mashed tofu in a dry, non-stick skillet over medium-low heat, with no added oil. Stir continuously with a spatula. This process will evaporate the moisture, resulting in a crumbly, fluffy texture similar to cooked rice grains. This step is key to achieving the perfect consistency.
Step 6
Transfer the dried, crumbly tofu to a mixing bowl. Add both the seasoned topping mix and the sushi vinegar mix from the kit. Feel free to adjust the amount of seasoning to your preference.
Step 7
Mix the tofu with the seasoning packets and vinegar mix thoroughly using a spoon or spatula. Pan-frying the tofu not only helps it absorb flavors better but also gives it a wonderfully loose, non-clumpy texture that’s quite delightful.
Step 8
Now, let’s prepare the fried tofu pouches. Rinse them gently under running water and then squeeze out the excess liquid. Avoid twisting them vigorously, as this can tear the delicate pouches. Instead, press them gently with your palms to expel the water.
Step 9
Carefully fill each seasoned tofu pouch with the prepared tofu mixture. Pack it in firmly but avoid overfilling, which could cause the pouch to burst. And there you have it – 8 delicious Tofu Yubu Chobap are ready to be enjoyed!
