Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim 두부조림)
May 04, 2021 • Updated Jun 20, 2023
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This Korean braised tofu recipe is a vegan, gluten-free, high-protein meal with crispy tofu simmered in a flavorful, sweet and savoury sesame and soy-based sauce with chili flakes for extra spice!
What is Braised Tofu?
Braised tofu (Dubu Jorim 두부조림) is small pieces of tofu that are pan-fried to crispy golden brown and simmered in a flavorful sesame-soy sauce. It is typically served at Korean BBQ places or Korean picnic places where you get ready-made food, but it is so easy to make at home!
What Makes This Recipe Great
This braised tofu recipe is extremely simple, serves well hot or cold, and goes perfectly over a bed of white rice. I love this recipe for meal prep because it’s a healthy, high-protein meal that stores super well in the refrigerator and makes for the best grab-and-go lunch option.
It’s also vegan, gluten-free, and healthy! Crispy, golden-brown tofu smothered in a flavorful sauce- what could be better?! The best part? This is my favourite meal to make when I don’t have a lot of time to cook and eat. This delicious recipe goes from prep to table in just 15 minutes!
If you love tofu dishes, try my Vegan Sundubu Jiggae, these Crispy Tofu Fingers, or this delicious Tofu Satay.
Ingredient Notes
- extra firm tofu: It’s important to use extra firm or high protein tofu so that it holds together when you give it a quick pan fry. Using less firm options means the tofu might fall apart while cooking. Make sure you squeeze excess moisture out of your tofu before frying. This will ensure that the tofu has room to absorb the sauce later on!
- toasted sesame oil: Using sesame oil to pan-fry the tofu adds extra delicious flavor.
Sauce
- gluten-free soy sauce: If you aren’t gluten-free, feel free to use regular soy sauce. Tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce alternative that works really well in this recipe.
- sesame oil
- coconut sugar
- gochugaru: These are Korean red pepper flakes. Use more or less depending on your spice preference.
- minced garlic
- scallions
- water
- salt and pepper: Use to taste.
Garnish
- sesame seeds
- scallions
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Gently press your tofu with a kitchen towel to remove excess moisture. No need to press for long, just pat dry. Slice into 1/4″ inch slices.
- In a pan, fry your tofu slices with sesame oil until lightly golden on both sides.
- In a small bowl whisk together all sauce ingredients then add to the pan. Cook on low heat until the sauce starts to bubble and thicken and the tofu absorbs some of the sauce.
- To serve, garnish with any remaining sauce from the pan, and sprinkle with extra toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions. Enjoy hot or cold!
Expert Tips
- Spice Level: Depending on your spice preference, you can make this braised tofu mild or hot. Simply adjust the gochugaru (red pepper flakes) for more or less spice.
- Tofu: It’s important to use extra firm or high protein tofu so that it holds together when you give it a quick pan fry.
Serving Tips
- Serve this dubu jorim warm or cold with white rice. Garnish with remaining sauce, scallions or green onions, and toasted sesame seeds.
- This Korean tofu banchan makes a wonderful side dish to accompany any meal or works really well as an appetizer.
Storage Tips
- Store leftover spicy braised tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the pan with a little sesame oil or serve cold with sauce and garnish.
Recipe FAQs
Braised tofu is made with extra firm tofu and a delicious, savoury, and sweet sauce and spiced with Korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru).
Try These Korean Recipes
Vegan Mu Guk (Korean Radish Soup)
Vegan Dduk Guk (Korean Rice Cake Soup)
Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim 두부조림)
Ingredients
- 1 block extra firm tofu 16-18 ounces
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- Sauce
- 2 tbsp gluten free soy sauce/tamari
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp coconut sugar
- 2 tsp gochugaru Korean red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 2 scallions finely sliced
- 1/3-1/2 cup water
- salt and pepper to taste
- Garnish
- sesame seeds
- scallions
Instructions
- Gently press your tofu with a kitchen towel to remove excess moisture. No need to press for long, just pat dry. Slice into 1/4" inch slices.
- In a pan, fry your tofu slices with sesame oil until lightly golden on both sides.
- In a small bowl whisk together all sauce ingredients then add to the pan. Cook on low heat until the sauce starts to bubble and thicken and the tofu absorbs some of the sauce.
- To serve, garnish with any remaining sauce from the pan, sprinkle with extra toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions. Enjoy hot or cold!
Video
@veggiekins What I make when I have 15 minutes 🙂✌🏼 #vegan #veganrecipes #tofu #highproteinmeals #tiktokrecipes #foodontiktok #gfdf #healthyrecipes #koreanfood
♬ Egyptian Pools - Jinsang
Notes
Expert Tips
- Spice Level: Depending on your spice preference, you can make this braised tofu mild or hot. Simply adjust the gochugaru (red pepper flakes) for more or less spice.
- Tofu: It's important to use extra firm or high protein tofu so that it holds together when you give it a quick pan fry.
Serving Tips
- Serve this dubu jorim warm or cold with white rice. Garnish with remaining sauce, scallions or green onions, and toasted sesame seeds.
- This Korean tofu banchan makes a wonderful side dish to accompany any meal or works really well as an appetizer.
Storage Tips
- Store leftover spicy braised tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the pan with a little sesame oil or serve cold with sauce and garnish.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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