Braised Tofu: A Classic Korean Side Dish (Sumi’s Kitchen Style)
Braised Tofu: A Classic Korean Side Dish (Sumi’s Kitchen Style)
Savory and Sweet Braised Tofu with Caramelized Onions – A Must-Try Korean Comfort Food!
Discover the ultimate comfort food: Braised Tofu, a beloved Korean staple. This dish features tender tofu simmered in a savory soy-based sauce, creating a flavor profile that’s both deeply satisfying and incredibly addictive. The secret touch? Topping the braised tofu with sweet, sautéed onions, which perfectly complement the salty tofu and create a delightful harmony of flavors. It’s a simple yet elegant dish that pairs wonderfully with steamed rice. Let’s make this delicious Korean classic together!
Main Ingredients- 2 blocks firm tofu (approx. 600g)
- 1 medium onion
- 2 Korean green chili peppers (cheongyang peppers)
- 2 red chili peppers
- 4 stalks scallions (or 1 stalk of the white part of a leek)
- A little olive oil (for frying tofu)
Braising Sauce- 6 Tbsp soy sauce (yangjo ganjang)
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 4 Tbsp water
- 4 tsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 6 Tbsp soy sauce (yangjo ganjang)
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 4 Tbsp water
- 4 tsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, it’s crucial to remove excess moisture from the tofu. Gently press the tofu blocks with paper towels to absorb as much water as possible. This step helps the tofu hold its shape when frying and prevents it from becoming mushy.
Step 2
Once the tofu is drained, cut it into large, bite-sized pieces. I typically get about 7 pieces per block. Aim for pieces about 1.5 to 2 cm thick.
Step 3
Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and add a generous amount of olive oil. Carefully place the tofu pieces in the hot oil. Reduce the heat to low and fry the tofu until both sides are golden brown and slightly crispy. Frying gives the tofu a wonderful texture.
Step 4
While the tofu is frying, let’s prepare the delicious braising sauce. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, water, gochugaru, and minced garlic. Mix well until everything is thoroughly incorporated. If you don’t have scallions, finely chopped white parts of a leek can add a lovely aroma.
Step 5
Keep the perfectly golden-brown tofu in the pan. Pour the prepared braising sauce directly over the tofu pieces. This allows the tofu to absorb the flavors as it simmers.
Step 6
Cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the tofu is well-infused. The key here is to simmer gently over low heat, preventing the sauce from burning, allowing the tofu to soak up all the delicious flavors.
Step 7
While the tofu is braising, thinly slice the onion into half-moons or strips. Slicing the onion thinly will help it caramelize beautifully when sautéed.
Step 8
In a separate wide pan or wok, add a little olive oil and heat over medium-low heat.
Step 9
Add the sliced onions to the pan and sauté until they become translucent and sweet. Cooking the onions until they are tender and slightly caramelized will bring out their natural sweetness.
Step 10
Arrange the beautifully braised tofu pieces on a serving plate. The rich, golden-brown color of the tofu looks incredibly appetizing.
Step 11
Finally, generously spoon the sweet, sautéed onions over the braised tofu. For an extra touch of visual appeal and flavor, sprinkle some toasted black sesame seeds on top. Your delicious Braised Tofu is ready to be enjoyed!
