Crispy and Sweet-Spicy ‘Ganpung Tofu’: Create a Stunning Main Dish with Just Tofu
Is Tofu Enough? ‘Ganpung Tofu’ Recipe to Complete a Gorgeous Main Dish Failure-Free!
Hello everyone! Today, I’m sharing a ‘Ganpung Tofu’ recipe, a fantastic main dish you can make with everyone’s favorite ingredient: tofu. It looks elegant, but it’s surprisingly simple, making it a confident choice even for beginner cooks. Its perfect sweet and spicy flavor makes it an excellent side dish for rice or a great appetizer with drinks. You must try making it!
Main Ingredients
- 1 block of tofu (firm tofu for pan-frying is recommended)
- 1 onion (medium-sized)
- 1/2 stalk of green onion
- 1 chili pepper (adjust to your preference)
- Flour for coating (for the tofu exterior)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- A pinch of salt
- A pinch of black pepper
- Generous amount of cooking oil (for frying/pan-searing the tofu)
Ganpung Sauce Seasoning
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (like mirin)
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (like mirin)
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Pat the tofu dry thoroughly with paper towels. This step is crucial to prevent the tofu from breaking apart and to achieve a crispier texture when fried. Lightly season both sides of the prepared tofu with salt and pepper.
Step 2
Evenly coat the lightly seasoned tofu with flour. Applying a thin layer of flour will result in a crispier texture after frying.
Step 3
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the floured tofu and pan-fry until golden brown and crispy on all sides. This step is key to achieving delicious ‘Ganpung Tofu’! Once cooked, place the tofu on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 4
In a separate pan, heat about 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Add chopped green onions and minced garlic (1 Tbsp), then sauté over low heat until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the green onions and garlic.
Step 5
Once the aroma of green onions and garlic is released, add chili powder (1 Tbsp) and stir quickly over low heat to create chili oil. It’s important to keep the heat low to prevent the chili powder from burning.
Step 6
Turn off the heat. Add all the pre-mixed Ganpung sauce ingredients (2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, 2 Tbsp vinegar, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp corn syrup) and mix well. Before the sauce boils, add the thinly sliced onion and mix.
Step 7
Now, turn the heat back on to low. Add the fried tofu to the pan and gently toss to coat it evenly with the sauce. Avoid overcooking, as it will diminish the tofu’s crispiness. The goal is to stir-fry briefly until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 8
Finally, add the diagonally sliced chili pepper and give it a quick mix. Your delicious ‘Ganpung Tofu’ is ready! See how simple yet impressive this dish is? The combination of spicy sauce and crispy tofu is truly delightful.
