Low-Calorie Korean Style Spicy Tofu Soup

By DishFrames
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Satisfy your Korean drama cravings with this protein-packed, low-calorie spicy tofu soup. Ready in just 10 minutes for a quick and healthy meal.

↓ The ingredients ↓ The steps

This spicy tofu soup is a perfect balance of comfort and nutrition, designed to be enjoyed without the weight-gain worry. Combining the delicate texture of silken tofu with savory beef and punchy kimchi, it delivers the authentic Korean flavor profile in a fraction of the time. It is a simple, satisfying one-pot meal that makes healthy eating incredibly easy and delicious.

A bowl of hearty Korean spicy tofu soup with tender silken tofu, sliced beef, and kimchi, served with a side of purple rice.
A bowl of hearty Korean spicy tofu soup with tender silken tofu, sliced beef, and kimchi, served with a side of purple rice.
Prep10 mins
Cook15 mins
Total25 mins
Yield1 serving
DifficultyEasy
Calories350 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1Prepare the zucchini
    Fresh green zucchini sliced into small, uniform pieces arranged on a wooden cutting board.

    Take fresh zucchini and cut it into small, uniform pieces on a cutting board. These pieces will add a refreshing texture and absorb the flavors of the spicy broth during cooking.

    Tip: Cut the zucchini into consistent sizes to ensure they cook evenly and maintain a nice bite.
  2. 2Chop the red onion
    Red onion being chopped into fine, small pieces on a wooden surface.

    Carefully chop the red onion into small, even pieces on your cutting board. The red onion provides a mild sweetness and depth to the base of your spicy tofu soup.

    Tip: Use a sharp knife to chop the onion smoothly, which helps keep its shape and minimizes tearing.
  3. 3Heat the oils
    Cooking oil and aromatic sesame oil being drizzled into a preheated clay pot with a spoon.

    Add a blend of cooking oil and fragrant sesame oil into your clay pot over medium heat. This mixture forms the flavorful aromatic base for the soup.

    Tip: Keep the heat moderate to ensure the sesame oil remains fragrant and does not burn.
  4. 4Brown the pork belly
    Thin slices of pork belly browning and sizzling in hot oil inside a clay pot.

    Place the thinly sliced pork belly into the hot oil in the clay pot. Stir-fry the meat until it is lightly browned and its fat has rendered, creating a rich savory foundation.

    Tip: Stirring constantly prevents the pork from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  5. 5Add the aromatics
    Fresh green onions, garlic, and red onion being mixed into the sautéed pork belly in the pot.

    Add the chopped green onions, minced garlic, and diced red onion into the pot with the browned pork. Sauté until the vegetables are fragrant and softened, infusing the pork with flavor.

    Tip: Adding the aromatics after the pork ensures they release their oils without burning.
  6. 6Season with chili
    Korean chili paste and red chili powder being incorporated into the pork and aromatic mixture.

    Stir in a spoonful of Korean chili paste (gochujang) and a spoonful of chili powder to the aromatics. This combination provides the essential spicy kick and deep red color characteristic of Korean-style soups.

    Tip: Adjust the amount of chili paste and powder based on your personal preference for heat.
  7. 7Season the base
    Soy sauce and kimchi being stirred into a pot with diced onions and aromatics.

    Add the soy sauce and prepared kimchi into the pot with the aromatics. Stir well to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed, creating a deep and savory foundation for the soup.

    Tip: Make sure to stir thoroughly so the sauces coat the onions and aromatics evenly before adding liquid.
  8. 8Add water
    A bowl of water being poured into a dark clay pot over a stove.

    Pour a large bowl of clear water into the clay pot containing the seasoned base. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer to begin building the body of the soup.

    Tip: Using a clay pot helps retain heat, making the simmering process more efficient.
  9. 9Add vegetables and tofu
    Slices of zucchini and cubes of soft silken tofu being placed into a bubbling red soup.

    Gently add the sliced zucchini and large chunks of silken tofu into the simmering broth. Be careful when adding the tofu to keep the pieces intact.

    Tip: Silken tofu is very delicate; handle it gently to avoid breaking it into small pieces in the soup.
  10. 10Add beef and eggs
    Thin slices of beef and raw eggs being added to the simmering soup.

    Add the thin slices of beef to the pot, then carefully crack the two raw eggs directly into the simmering soup. Allow them to cook in the broth until they reach your desired consistency.

    Tip: If you prefer softer eggs, crack them in towards the very end of the cooking process.
  11. 11Garnish and serve
    A finished pot of tofu soup garnished with sliced green onions and red chili peppers.

    Finish the dish by sprinkling fresh green onion slices and chili pepper rings over the top of the hot soup. Serve immediately while bubbling.

    Tip: Adding the green onions at the very end keeps them vibrant and fresh for better presentation.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator
2 days
Store in an airtight container. The tofu may absorb more broth over time.
Reheating
5 minutes
Gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat to avoid breaking the tofu pieces.

Burn It Off

Brisk Walking
~70 minutes of brisk walking (~5 km/h).
Yoga
~1 hour and 45 minutes of mindful yoga.
House Cleaning
~1 hour and 25 minutes of general house cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can, but the texture will be significantly different. Silken tofu is traditional for this soup as it melts in the mouth and absorbs the spicy broth better.
The heat level is adjustable. By controlling the amount of gochujang and chili powder, you can make this soup as mild or as fiery as you prefer.
Absolutely. Simply omit the beef and pork, and use a vegetable-based broth to keep the soup delicious and meat-free.
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