Savory Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim)
Savory Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim)
[Easy & Delicious] The Ultimate Savory Braised Tofu Recipe with Soy Sauce! Perfect for Side Dishes!
Introducing a recipe for a moist and delicious braised tofu dish, seasoned with a classic soy sauce base, loved by the whole family. It’s perfect as a main side dish or a staple for meal prep, and so easy to make that anyone can achieve a fantastic result. This dish is a true ‘rice thief’!
Main Ingredients- 1 block firm tofu (approx. 300g)
- 1/3 onion
- 1/6 carrot
- 1/3 green onion (mainly the white parts)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5 to 2 cm thick. Cutting them too thin can cause them to break easily, so maintaining a moderate thickness is recommended.
Step 2
Lightly sprinkle the cut tofu with salt and let it sit for about 5 minutes. This helps to remove any unwanted odors from the tofu and allows it to absorb some flavor, making it even more delicious.
Step 3
Prepare the vegetables: thinly slice the onion, cut the carrot into half-moon or square shapes about 2 cm thick, and diagonally slice the green onion, focusing on the white parts.
Step 4
Thinly slice the onion.
Step 5
Cut the carrot into pieces about 2 cm thick. You can cut them into any shape you prefer.
Step 6
Diagonally slice the green onion, mainly the white parts. If you like a bit of spice, you can add a small amount of spicy green chili peppers here.
Step 7
Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil and 1 Tbsp of perilla oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
Step 8
Arrange the salted tofu pieces in the preheated pan and pan-fry over medium heat for 3 minutes until lightly golden brown on both sides. Lightly searing the surface helps the tofu maintain its shape during the braising process.
Step 9
While one side is browning, carefully flip the tofu and pan-fry the other side for another 3 minutes. The goal is to get a nice golden color all around. (Tip: Lightly searing the tofu’s exterior before braising prevents it from becoming mushy and helps maintain a firm texture, making it much tastier.)
Step 10
Remove the pan-fried tofu to a separate dish. Now, let’s make the braising sauce. In a small bowl, add the sliced onion, carrot, and green onion.
Step 11
Add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic to the vegetables for aromatic flavor.
Step 12
Pour in 5 Tbsp of soy sauce to add a savory umami base.
Step 13
Add 1/2 Tbsp of sugar to balance the sweetness. It’s best to keep it from being too sweet so the soy sauce flavor can shine.
Step 14
If you prefer a bit of heat, add 1 Tbsp of red pepper flakes (gochugaru). You can omit this or adjust the amount if serving to children.
Step 15
Add 1 Tbsp of perilla oil for an extra layer of flavor. The nutty aroma of perilla oil complements the tofu beautifully.
Step 16
Add 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds for a nutty taste and texture.
Step 17
Add 3 Tbsp of water to the seasoning ingredients and mix well to create the sauce.
Step 18
Add a pinch of black pepper to eliminate any unwanted odors and mix everything thoroughly.
Step 19
Now it’s time to braise. Spread a thin layer of the prepared sauce at the bottom of a small pot. This prevents the sauce from burning and helps season the tofu from the bottom.
Step 20
Arrange the pan-fried tofu pieces neatly on top of the sauce layer.
Step 21
Drizzle the remaining sauce evenly over the tofu. It’s important to ensure the sauce seeps well between the tofu pieces.
Step 22
Layer the tofu again, creating a second tier, and pour all the remaining sauce over it. Layering the tofu twice not only looks appealing but also ensures the sauce permeates evenly.
Step 23
Add 5 Tbsp of water to the bowl used for the sauce and rinse it out, then pour this water into the pot. This ensures you use all the flavorful sauce.
Step 24
Cover the pot with a lid and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes. You can start with high heat until it boils, then reduce to medium.
Step 25
During the simmering process, open the lid 1 to 2 times and gently lift the tofu with a spoon, allowing the sauce from the bottom of the pot to flow over the tofu. This technique helps the sauce penetrate the tofu thoroughly, resulting in a deeper flavor.
Step 26
(Delicious Braised Tofu is Ready!)
Step 27
Plate the finished braised tofu beautifully. Enjoy a hearty meal with a bowl of warm rice!
