Korean Spicy Braised Tofu (Dubu-Jorim)
Transform plain tofu into an irresistible side dish with this Korean spicy braised tofu. Simmered in a rich, savory gochujang sauce with minced pork, it's guaranteed to make your rice disappear.
Dubu-Jorim is a staple in Korean households, beloved for its ability to turn humble tofu into a deeply flavorful, comforting dish. The addition of minced pork in this variation adds a rich, savory depth to the fiery red sauce. Its the ultimate banchan (side dish) that often steals the spotlight from the main course.
Ingredients
- 500 g firm tofu
- 150 g minced pork
- 1/2 onion
- 2 stalks green onions
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp rice wine
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp chili powder (gochugaru)
- 1 tbsp gochujang
- 600 ml water
- to taste green chili peppers (optional)
Instructions
- 1Prepare the sauce
Combine sugar, minced garlic, rice wine, soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, chili powder, and gochujang in a measuring cup. Mix thoroughly to ensure all the seasonings are well incorporated into a smooth sauce base.
Tip: Mix the sauce until the sugar and gochujang are fully dissolved for a consistent flavor profile. - 2Mix the sauce ingredients
Use a spoon or whisk to stir the combined ingredients in the measuring cup until they form a uniform, consistent red sauce. This ensures the flavors are perfectly balanced before adding them to the dish.
Tip: Stir well to break up any clumps of gochujang for a smooth, velvety sauce. - 3Sauté green onions
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped green onions and sauté for about 1 minute until they become fragrant and start to soften. This builds the aromatic base for the dish.
Tip: Keep the heat moderate to avoid burning the green onions while releasing their aroma. - 4Brown the pork
Add the minced pork to the pan with the sautéed green onions. Continue to stir-fry the mixture over medium-high heat until the pork is thoroughly browned and cooked through.
Tip: Break up the minced pork with your spatula to ensure even cooking and better flavor absorption. - 5Add onion and tofu
Add half a sliced onion and 500g of firm tofu cut into cubes to the pan with the browned pork. Gently stir to distribute the ingredients without breaking the tofu cubes.
Tip: Be gentle when stirring to keep the tofu cubes intact throughout the cooking process. - 6Braise the dish
Pour the prepared sauce and 600ml of water into the pan. Let the mixture braise over medium heat until the tofu is heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly and infused the ingredients.
Tip: Braise until the sauce reduces to your desired consistency to ensure the tofu is fully flavorful.
