Spicy Korean Braised Tofu / Dubu Jorim – A traditional Korean dish made with pan-fried tofu, braised in a savory-spicy sauce with green onions and garlic. It’s juicy, a little spicy and delicious. It is the best Korean Side Dish served with Rice, Noodles or with Coconut Quinoa.
Are you a fan of Asian Food takeouts? Join this club!! Making our own favorite healthy recipes gives satisfaction, saves money and calories. This Braised Tofu recipe will make you want to eat in instead of ordering or going to the restaurants.
I adapted this traditional Korean Tofu recipe from Maangchi. I made it so many times and it’s now our one of the favorite Korean dishes. So thought let me share this utterly delicious recipe with you all!
This recipe of Braised tofu is easily put together in no time, gets ready under a few minutes. It is a standard Korean lunchbox recipe.
What is Braising means?
Braising means a method of cooking in which you first cook your main ingredient on a high flame and then finish cooking it in a liquid-based sauce.
When we use this technique with tofu it makes it crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
What are ingredients used in making this Spicy Korean Braised Tofu?
You will need only a handful of ingredients to make this vegan tofu dish.
Tofu
Tofu is very high in protein and low in fat and is a great alternative in many dishes that have meat. I have pan fried the firm tofu for this recipe. Pan frying tofu is far better than deep frying.
How to pan-fry tofu perfectly?
First, open a tofu package, drain all the water and wash tofu block with water. Wrap it in kitchen napkin or paper towel, place a heavy pan on top and let stand for 15 minutes to press out the excess liquid. This step is very important to get nice, golden brown and evenly cooked Tofu.
Another tip to get crispy tofu is pan fry it in cast iron pan.
Oil
I have used peanut oil to pan fry the tofu. You may use any oil of your choice.
Korean red pepper powder / Gochugaru – Korean chili powder
The ingredient to make this recipe is Guchugaru – Korean Chili powder. It adds heat and is the main flavor profile behind this dish.
To get the best flavor, I highly recommend you to use this Korean chili powder only. It’s not substitutable. This is the main ingredient of many Korean dishes, especially this is the specific chili powder what they use to make traditional Kimchi.
You will easily find this chili powder in any Korean grocery store. It is also available on Amazon.
Soy Sauce
I have used Light soy sauce.
Green onion and grated garlic
How to make Braised Tofu?
The recipe is really very straight forward.
Pan fry the sliced tofu.
Saute onion and garlic.
Add soy sauce, salt, and Korean red chili powder.
Then add pan-fried tofu. Stir and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
Garnish it with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
That’s it!
Enjoy it with sticky rice, quinoa or noodles.
It is spicy, satisfying, full of flavors and delicious.
I am very happy to share this recipe with you all!
Don’t forget to check some of our favorite Asian Inspired recipes like
Vegetable Thai curry noodle soup.
Spicy Korean Braised Tofu
Ingredients
- 14 oz. - Firm Tofu
- ¼ cup - Peanut oil
- 1 teaspoon - Grated garlic
- ½ cup - Chopped green onions
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon - Soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon - Sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoon - Korean chili powder use as per your spice level
- ½ cup - water
Instructions
- Open a tofu package, drain all the water and wash tofu block with water. Wrap it in kitchen napkin or paper towel, place a heavy pan on top and let stand for 15 minutes to press out the excess liquid.
- Cut it into 22 equal square pieces.
- Heat oil in a cast iron pan over high heat.
- Place tofu pieces onto the pan and cook for 7 to 8 minutes. Gently flip the tofu in between. Cook from both the sides until each tofu pieces are crispy and golden brown.
- Transfer the pan-fried tofu in a plate. Keep the leftover oil in a pan.
- In the same pan(with leftover oil), add chopped onion and garlic. Saute for a minute.
- Now add water, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and Korean chili powder.
- Cook it on medium heat until it reduces a little bit and thickens about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add tofu and braise for a minute until the tofu absorbs some of the flavors.
- Garnish it with sesame seeds and chopped green onion.
- Enjoy it with sticky rice, coconut quinoa or noodles.
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