Step 1

First, wash the green onion, remove the outer leaves, and thinly slice it into about 0.5cm pieces. Finely chopped green onions will help the sauce blend better.

Step 2

Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5-2cm thick (squares or half-moons). Place the cut tofu on paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth and gently press to remove as much water as possible. This helps the tofu hold its shape and become crispier when fried. Lightly sprinkle a pinch of salt on both sides of the drained tofu and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes for seasoning. This adds flavor and prevents it from being bland.

Step 3

While the tofu is seasoning, let’s make the delicious soy sauce marinade. In a bowl, combine 4 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp water, 1 Tbsp mirin (or cooking wine), 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1.5 Tbsp sugar. Add a pinch of black pepper. Stir well with a spoon until all ingredients are combined. We’ll add the sesame seeds at the end as a garnish, so don’t add them yet.

Step 4

Add the finely sliced green onion to the prepared soy sauce marinade and mix well. The aroma of the green onion will blend with the sauce, creating a richer flavor.

Step 5

Now it’s time to fry the tofu. Heat a pan over medium heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Place the seasoned tofu in the hot oil and fry until each side is golden brown and looks appealing. Use a spatula to gently flip the tofu to prevent it from breaking.

Step 6

Once the tofu is nicely browned on both sides, pour the savory and sweet soy sauce marinade evenly over the tofu. It’s important to let the sauce seep into the tofu.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer until it thickens and coats the tofu. Spooning the sauce over the tofu while it simmers helps the flavor penetrate deeper. Continue to cook until most of the liquid has evaporated.

Step 8

And there you have it – delicious savory soy sauce braised tofu! It’s absolutely wonderful served over a bowl of hot rice.

Step 9