Hearty Ground Pork Mapo Tofu
A Satisfying Meal! Easy Mapo Tofu Rice Bowl with Plenty of Ground Pork!
Introducing a delicious and filling Mapo Tofu rice bowl, packed with ground pork, that can be enjoyed as a complete meal without any side dishes. This simple recipe is perfect for students living alone or busy office workers – anyone can easily make a wonderful meal!
Main Ingredients
- 600g Ground Pork (pork shoulder recommended)
- 1 block Firm Tofu (approx. 300g)
- 1 medium Onion
- 1 stalk Green Onion
- 7-8 Green Peppers (similar to Shishito peppers)
Seasoning Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- Pinch of Black Pepper Powder
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (or seasoned soy sauce)
- 2 Tbsp Chili Powder
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Wine (Mirin or Rice Wine)
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 cup Water or Dashi Stock (200ml)
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil
- Pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- Pinch of Black Pepper Powder
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (or seasoned soy sauce)
- 2 Tbsp Chili Powder
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Wine (Mirin or Rice Wine)
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 cup Water or Dashi Stock (200ml)
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil
- Pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 600g of ground pork, preferably from the shoulder, to add flavor to your Mapo Tofu. Using ground meat ensures the sauce evenly coats the ingredients for a tastier result.
Step 2
Cut the firm tofu into bite-sized cubes, about 1.5 cm. Handle them gently to prevent them from breaking apart.
Step 3
Remove the stems from the green peppers and finely chop them. They add a pleasant aroma without too much heat. Finely chop the onion and green onion as well. Chopping the vegetables finely helps them absorb the sauce better.
Step 4
In a wide wok or pan, add the ground pork. Sprinkle with 1 Tbsp minced garlic and a pinch of black pepper. Stir-fry over high heat until the pork is no longer pink and some of the fat has rendered out.
Step 5
Once the pork is partially cooked, add 1 Tbsp oyster sauce and 1 Tbsp cooking wine (or mirin). Stir-fry together to eliminate any gamey smell and enhance the flavor.
Step 6
When the ground pork is fully cooked, add the cubed tofu, onion, and chopped green peppers. Gently mix everything together to avoid crushing the tofu.
Step 7
Now it’s time to season! Add 2 Tbsp chili powder, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, and 2 Tbsp sugar. Gently mix and stir-fry until the ingredients are well combined. You can adjust the amount of sugar to your personal preference for sweetness.
Step 8
If you prefer a saucier rice bowl, add 1 cup (200ml) of water or dashi stock. If you don’t like it too watery, you can reduce the amount of liquid or omit it altogether.
Step 9
Continue to stir-fry over high heat for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. Finish by drizzling in 1 tsp of sesame oil and sprinkling with toasted sesame seeds for extra aroma. This hearty Mapo Tofu rice bowl is ready! You can make a generous batch, store it in the refrigerator, and reheat it in the microwave with rice for a delicious meal anytime.
