Sun-Kissed & Sweet: ‘Gat Sumi’s’ Braised Tofu Recipe
Braised Tofu with the Natural Sweetness of Onions
A delicious braised tofu recipe inspired by the secret method of Gat Sumi, also featured on ‘Home Alone Baek Jong-won’. The natural sweetness of onions complements the mildness of the tofu, creating a crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for any meal.
Main Ingredients
- 1 block (approx. 300-400g) firm tofu
- 1 medium onion
Braising Sauce Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce (jin ganjang)
- 4 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- A small amount of green onion (finely chopped)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- A small amount of carrot (thinly julienned)
- 1-2 Korean chili peppers (optional, to taste, finely chopped)
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or oligodang (adjust sweetness as needed)
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce (jin ganjang)
- 4 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- A small amount of green onion (finely chopped)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- A small amount of carrot (thinly julienned)
- 1-2 Korean chili peppers (optional, to taste, finely chopped)
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or oligodang (adjust sweetness as needed)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, slice the block of tofu into pieces about 1.5 to 2 cm thick. Then, gently press the tofu slices with paper towels or a clean cloth to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial for preventing the tofu from breaking apart and ensuring it gets a nice golden-brown sear.
Step 2
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add enough cooking oil to coat the bottom. Carefully place the drained tofu slices in the pan, ensuring they don’t overcrowd. Pan-fry each side for about 5 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly crisp. While the tofu is frying, let’s prepare the delicious braising sauce!
Step 3
Finely chop the green onion and thinly julienne the carrot. In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, water, sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, minced garlic, and corn syrup (or oligodang). Whisk everything together until well combined to create your flavorful braising sauce. If you like a little heat, finely chopped Korean chili peppers can be added at this stage.
Step 4
Once one side of the tofu is beautifully golden, carefully flip the pieces over. Continue to cook the other side for about 3 minutes. Then, pour the prepared braising sauce evenly over the tofu. Cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer gently over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the tofu beautifully.
Step 5
While the tofu is simmering, thinly slice the onion. Heat a little cooking oil in a separate pan and sauté the sliced onions until they become translucent and slightly softened. Sautéing the onions brings out their natural sweetness and adds depth of flavor to the dish.
Step 6
We’re almost done! Arrange the braised tofu and the sautéed onions attractively on a serving plate. A sprinkle of extra chopped green onion or sesame seeds on top makes it look even more appealing. Enjoy this simple yet incredibly delicious braised tofu, best served with a side of warm rice!
