Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

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By Chris Joe

5 from 13 votes

Feb 24, 2023

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Korean Braised Tofu, or Dubu Jorim, is an extremely simple dish consisting of braised tofu in a delicious spicy, soy-based sauce. It comes together in just a few minutes and only requires one pan for a quick and flavorful side dish!

It’s an excellent side dish to go with rice or noodles, and is great served hot or cold! Despite it being a vegetarian dish, the tofu is quite meaty and filling and pairs wonderfully with the spicy, soy-based sauce.

The best part about this Korean Braised Tofu is that you can make it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for 2-3 days. The tofu will further soak up the delicious sauce and it’ll taste even better!

Watch the Korean Braised Tofu Recipe Video Below!

Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) - CJ Eats Recipes (2)

Ingredients You’ll Need For Korean Braised Tofu

To make Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim), you’ll only need a few ingredients:

  • Firm Tofu
  • Light Soy Sauce
  • Water
  • Gochugaru (Korean chili flake)
  • Sugar
  • Sesame Oil
  • Sesame Seeds
  • Garlic
  • Scallion
  • Netural Oil

The recipe calls for 1 tbsp of gochugaru per 1 14-oz package of firm tofu. For me, this was about a 6 out of 10 on the spice scale, so you can adjust the amount of chili pepper flakes according to your taste.

My Key Ingredient Tips For Korean Braised Tofu

INGREDIENTS TIPS

GOCHUGARU
Gochugaru is Korean red chili pepper flakes (or powder, depending on which version you purchase). It’s vibrant in color and smoky in flavor, and while the heat level varies, it’s definitely on the spicy side. I love using this ingredient because of the layers of flavor it adds! I recommend you adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance level.

LIGHT vs. DARK SOY SAUCE
I get this question all the time and yes, they’re different! Dark soy sauce is thicker, darker, and sweeter (as well as has a higher sodium content) than regular (light) soy sauce. Ensure you are using light soy sauce for this recipe!

NEUTRAL OIL
My favorite neutral oil is avocado oil, but you can also use canola or vegetable oil here as well! These oils are neutral in flavor (unlike olive oil) and have a high smoke point.

Prepare Your Tofu

Cut your tofu into 1/2″ to 1″ thick rectangles and pat dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. I prefer my pieces a little on the thicker side so I can get more color on them when searing them in the pan!

Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) - CJ Eats Recipes (3)

Mix the Braising Sauce

Next, you’ll want to mix together your braising sauce, which consists of soy sauce, water gochugaru, sugar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, chopped garlic and scallions. Mix this together in a small both and put this next to your pan along with your prepared tofu.

Preheat 2 tbsp of oil over medium high heat in a non-stick pan and you’re ready to cook!

Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) - CJ Eats Recipes (4)

Once the oil has preheated over medium high heat, gently add your tofu to the pan. Pan fry the tofu for 2 minutes per side until they are golden brown all over. If you want to be extra thorough, you can also pan fry the shorter sides as well!

After the tofu is golden brown on all sides, reduce the heat to medium and add the braising sauce. Braise the tofu for 5-6 minutes over medium heat, spooning the sauce over the tofu as it continues cooking. You’ll see that the sauce will start to thicken up and reduce, which will create a beautiful pan sauce to spoon over your tofu!

Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) - CJ Eats Recipes (5)

My Top Recipe Tips for Korean Braised Tofu

RECIPE TIPS

FIRM TOFU
I highly recommend you use firm tofu for this recipe! Since the tofu is pan fried and then braised, you’ll want to use firm tofu so the pieces hold up their shape by the end.

After the tofu is golden brown on all sides, reduce the heat to medium and add the braising sauce. Braise the tofu for 5-6 minutes over medium heat, spooning the sauce over the tofu as it continues cooking. You’ll see that the sauce will start to thicken up and reduce, which will create a beautiful pan sauce to spoon over your tofu! Serve this hot or cold with a freshly steamed bowl of rice!

If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out my other Korean recipes below!

  • Korean Cucumber Salad
  • Korean Bean Sprout Side Dish
  • Korean Broccoli Salad
  • Korean Spinach Salad
  • Korean Braised Potatoes
Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) - CJ Eats Recipes (6)

5 from 13 votes

Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim)

By: Chris Joe

Servings: 3

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Save

Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) - CJ Eats Recipes (7)

This Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) is lightly pan fried then braised in a super flavorful, soy-based sauce!

Ingredients

  • 1 package of firm tofu, package size is 14oz
  • 1/4 cup light soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tbsp gochugaru
  • 1/2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 scallion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Cut tofu lengthwise into 1/2" thick pieces.

  • In a bowl, mix soy sauce, water, gochugaru, sugar, sesame oil, sesame seed, garlic, and scallions.

  • In a medium pan, heat 2 tbsp of neutral oil over medium high heat. Pan fry tofu 2 minutes per side until golden brown on each side.

  • Add sauce and braise the tofu for 5-6 minutes over medium heat until the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly. Serve with steamed rice and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 8gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 3377mgPotassium: 355mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 2493IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 98mgIron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Korean

Tried this recipe?Mention @cj.eats_ or tag #cjeatsrecipes!

Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) - CJ Eats Recipes (8)

About CJ

I’m a third generation Chinese-American home cook who has always loved cooking & eating! Welcome to my food blog, where you can find trusted, tested, easy & approachable recipes for the everyday home cook that taste delicious! I am so glad you're here!

Read more about me

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Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is braised tofu healthy? ›

Besides being delicious, all the ingredients in this dish are loaded with health benefits. The braised tofu is a great protein source, low in fat and naturally gluten-free.

What does braised tofu mean? ›

Braising = perfectly cooked tofu.

Step 1: Pan-fry or deep fry tofu until the pieces are golden brown and crisp. While deep frying produces excellent results, I found that pan-frying tofu first works very well and is more suitable for most home cooks. Step 2: Simmer the crispy tofu in a flavor-rich sauce.

What is Korean tofu made of? ›

tofu, soft, relatively flavourless food product made from soybeans. Tofu is an important source of protein in the cuisines of China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. It is believed to date from the Han dynasty (206 bce–220 ce). Tofu is made from dried soybeans that are soaked in water, crushed, and boiled.

How many calories are in spicy braised tofu? ›

Homegrown Spicy Braised Tofu (1 serving) contains 51g total carbs, 44g net carbs, 28g fat, 20g protein, and 550 calories.

Is there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Contains antinutrients

Like most plant foods, tofu contains several antinutrients. These compounds are naturally found in plant foods and lower your body's ability to absorb nutrients from food ( 6 ).

Is tofu healthier for you than chicken? ›

Tofu nutrition. This meatless option is a staple for vegetarians, and rightfully so. It boasts more fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and folate than chicken and contains fewer calories.

Why do people eat tofu instead of meat? ›

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, half a cup of firm tofu offers 21.8 grams of protein with 181 calories and 11 grams of fat. Most of that fat is of the healthy polyunsaturated kind. The high level of protein makes tofu a good alternative to animal-derived meat.

Does braised mean fully cooked? ›

Braising is a combination cooking method that uses both dry- and moist-heat techniques to break down tough cuts of meat over a long period of time. You start by searing the food in a small amount of oil to caramelize the outside, browning and crisping up the exterior without cooking the meat all the way through.

What are the three types of tofu? ›

Tofu is categorized as silken, regular, firm, extra-firm and super-firm. Silken, the softest type of tofu, can be compared to a young white cheese. Firm tofu, the most common, has the same consistency as feta, while the texture of super-firm can be compared to that of meat.

Which country eats the most tofu? ›

Japan is the largest consumer of Tofu as the hub for the largest number of manufacturers and easy availability. China is the key market with a high density of manufacturers and holds the major share in the global Tofu market.

Why do Koreans love tofu? ›

Tofu, or dubu in Korean, is seen on many Korean dramas, often as something offered to someone in jail or part of a soup or stew at a restaurant. Traditionally, its white color signifies purity, innocence, a new beginning for criminals not to reoffend and the hope of a life free from crime.

Can you eat Korean tofu raw? ›

Yes, it's safe to eat raw firm tofu. It has a mild taste and a somewhat spongy texture. To enhance its flavor, you can marinate or season it. Try slicing it into cubes or strips, then marinate in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, and your choice of herbs or spices.

How many calories are in General Tso's tofu? ›

Nutrition Facts 1 servings per container Serving size 4 OZ Calories per serving 116Amount/serving% Daily Value*
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 296mg13%
Calcium 68.5mg 5% Iron 1.2mg 7% Vitamin D - mcg 0mcg 0% Potassium 261.7mg 6%
2 more rows

Is deep Fried Tofu high in calories? ›

Frying tofu can give it a crispy texture, but comes at a cost – it can be high in calories, up to three times more than baked or air-fried tofu. This is because frying requires added oil as a heat conductor, which cooks the tofu evenly but also makes it absorb more oil, resulting in more fat and calories.

How many calories are in a tofu hotpot? ›

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving: 407 calories; calories from fat 23%; fat 10.2g; saturated fat 4.3g; mono fat 1.2g; poly fat 2.7g; protein 14.5g; carbohydrates 63.3g; fiber 4.8g; iron 4.4mg; sodium 933mg; calcium 87mg.

What is the healthiest form of tofu? ›

Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content.

How many calories are in Chinese braised tofu? ›

Results for "Chinese Braised Tofu"

Other sizes: 1 serving - 225kcal, 100 g - 151kcal, 1 oz - 43kcal, more...

Is cooked tofu good for you? ›

The high level of protein makes tofu a good alternative to animal-derived meat. Federal dietary guidelines include tofu as part of a healthy vegetarian dietary pattern, and a 2021 American Heart Association scientific statement emphasizes choosing plant-based proteins for heart health.

Are braised vegetables healthy? ›

It's a healthy, whole food plant based (WFPB) side dish that's full of so much flavor, it pleases everyone. Here are some great ways to serve these braised vegetables (outside the traditional roast):

References

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