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–+ servings
Tofu slices in a cast iron pan coated in a spicy sauce with sesame seeds and green onions as garnish.

Easy Spicy Korean Braised Tofu Recipe

Grace Stewart
Spicy Korean Braised Tofu, or Dubu Jorim, is pan fried tofu simmered in a delicious spicy braising sauce! It's the perfect side dish to accompany rice and all your favorite Korean mains!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 11 minutes
Pressing The Tofu 30 minutes
Total Time 46 minutes
Course banchan, Side Dish
Cuisine Korean
Servings 4 people
Calories 187 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 non stick skillet or cast iron pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb tofu select hard or extra firm tofu
  • 1.5 tablespoon vegetable oil can sub canola oil

Sauce Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoon soy sauce
  • ¾ cup water
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 ts sesame oil
  • 1.5 tablespoon gochugaru Korean red pepper flakes
  • 1 ts sugar

Garnishes

  • ½ ts sesame seeds
  • 1 green onion sliced
  • black pepper freshly ground to add to the finished dish

Instructions
 

  • Begin by draining the liquid from the tofu block or blocks. Press the tofu by placing a heavy object on top of a plate on top of the tofu, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, it's best to press the tofu for around 1.5 hrs-2 hrs. This will help to draw the water out of the tofu.
  • Cut the tofu into rectangular pieces around ½" thick. Use paper towels to pat dry the tofu pieces.
  • Make the braising sauce by combining the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Set this aside while we pan fry the tofu pieces.
    A white bowl containing spicy braising sauce including garlic and red pepper flakes. There is a spoon containing some of the sauce in the foreground.
  • Now place a non stick skillet or well seasoned cast iron pan on medium high heat. Add the vegetable oil, and once the oil is hot place the tofu slices into the pan. Fry each side until golden brown, around 3 minutes for each side.
    Rectangular pieces of tofu pan in a cast iron skillet being pan fried in oil.
  • Take the pan off the heat for a bit. Turn the heat down to low and allow the temperature of the stove to reduce to low. Then return the pan to the heat. Give the sauce a good stir, then add this to the pan. Simmer this uncovered for about 5 - 7 minutes. If it gets too dry, you can add a little water here and there. During this time spoon the sauce over the tofu slices as they simmer.
    Pieces of browned tofu in a spicy simmering sauce in a cast iron skillet.
  • The final touch is the garnishes. Sprinkle the sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and add some freshly ground black pepper and then dig in!
    Pan fried pieces of tofu in a cast iron skillet that has been braised with a spicy sauce so that the pieces are red in color. The tofu is garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

Nutrition

Calories: 187kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 12gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.04gSodium: 811mgPotassium: 108mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 920IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 164mgIron: 2mg
Keyword braised tofu, spicy food, tofu
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