Korean braised tofu is quick to make yet loaded with irresistible flavors. This easy one-pan dish calls for lightly seared tofu braised in a delicious spicy-savory sauce, to be served over rice or noodles in just 20 minutes or less.
What is Dubu Jorim?
Dubu Jorim (두부조림) is a traditional Korean spicy tofu dish often served as a side dish (banchan) to be enjoyed with a bowl of steamed rice to make up for a healthy meal that’s suitable for any time of day.
Tofu is an essential ingredient in Korean cuisine thanks to its versatility and can be found in many staple dishes including Soondubu Jjigae (Korean Soft Tofu Stew) and Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Soybean Paste Stew).
This is personally one of my favorite Korean side dishes to make during the week as it is quick & simple to prepare and calls for only a handful of ingredients that are always available in my fridge.
Dubu Jorim is without a doubt, one of the most flavorful ways you can prepare a block of tofu, which is an incredible source of protein and other essential nutrients.
How do you make Korean Braised Tofu?
On the busier days when I don’t have much time to spend much time on dinner, this spicy tofu dish is often my go-to choice to be served over a bowl of steamed rice and some sautéed greens.
It is also highly infused with flavor, which also makes it the ideal meal for when I don’t have much of an appetite.
This recipe calls for an easy two-step process that involves pan-searing the tofu until golden, then quickly braising them in a spicy-savory sauce loaded with onion, green onion, and garlic.
The result is flavor-packed pieces of tofu that are crisp around the edges, but tender and juicy on the inside – which can be served both hot or cold depending on your preference.
Korean braised tofu also makes for a great meal-prep dish as a high-protein alternative to meat or seafood, and a perfect option to add to a vegan or vegetarian diet as well.
What do I need to make Korean Braised Tofu?
As mentioned above, one of the best parts about this recipe is that it calls for a handful of simple ingredients. Here is a list of ingredients you will need:
- A block of tofu: medium-firm or firm tofu is ideal for this recipe, as it will hold its shape during the pan-frying process.
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), sugar, garlic, soy sauce, mirin, and sesame oil, diluted with a little bit of water: to make up for the base sauce.
- Onion + green onion: for the aromatics. If you want a little bit more spice, you can add in some finely diced chili peppers as demonstrated in the video.
- Green onion + toasted sesame seeds: optional, for garnish.
And that’s it! This has to be one of the easiest recipes I’ve shared on the blog, which can be prepared in less than 20 minutes from start to finish.
Best of all, this easy & delicious dish is prepared all in a single pan, which makes cleanup a breeze! Let’s be honest, we are all struggling with an endless amount of dishes, and simple recipes like this are truly a breath of fresh air. 🍃
For visual instructions, please refer to the video tutorial above (you will need to disable AdBlock if you are on your computer!).
I hope you enjoy this easy and delicious recipe, and please feel free to leave a comment below or message me on Instagram for any questions!
Other easy Korean recipes you may like:
- Stir-Fried Bulgogi Udon Noodles
- Mayak Eggs (Korean Marinated Eggs)
- Soondubu Jjigae (Korean Soft Tofu Stew)
- Korean Seafood Pancake (Haemul Pajeon)
- Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi Bokkeumbap)
Dubu Jorim (Korean Braised Tofu)
Ingredients
- 1 package ( 454g) tofu preferably medium-firm or firm
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 medium onion diced
- 1 green onion diced, some reserved for garnish
- 1 red or green chili pepper diced, optional for extra spice
- green onion, toasted sesame seeds optional, for garnish
Sauce
- 1-2 tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to taste
- 1/2 tbsp sugar if adding honey or maple syrup, please adjust to taste
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Cut tofu into 1/4 inch thick pieces, and pat dry to remove moisture (this will yield a crispy exterior). Lightly season with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Add all sauce ingredients into a bowl. Add onion, green onion, and chili pepper, and mix to combine.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, carefully add the tofu pieces and sear both sides until golden-brown, about 2-3 minutes.
- Pour the sauce over the tofu and cook for about 5 minutes, flipping occasionally. Cover and simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce is reduced to a thick consistency.
- Garnish with the reserved green onions and sesame seeds, and serve immediately with rice, noodles, or any other dish of choice. Enjoy!