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Dubu jorim
Braised tofu in spicy soy
Dubu jorim (두부조림): pan-fried tofu braised in spicy soy
Dubu jorim is the tofu side dish Korean mothers pack into school lunchboxes and set out at home dinners from Busan to Seoul, because it is cheap, filling and even better the next day. Thick slices of firm tofu are fried golden, then simmered in a garlicky soy and chilli sauce until they soak it up and turn glossy. Eat it warm with rice or cold from the fridge. The common mistake is moving the tofu too soon in the pan: it tears and never forms the golden skin that holds the sauce. Chef's tip: salt the tofu slices lightly and leave them on kitchen paper for 10 minutes before frying; drier tofu browns faster and spits less.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 14 oz firm tofucut into 1.5 cm slices
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
For the sauce
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- ½ cup water
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 garliccloves, finely chopped
- 2 spring onionschopped
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
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Method
0/5 doneStep 2: Heat 2 tbsp neutral oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the tofu in one layer and fry without moving until the underside is deep golden and releases easily, then turn and colour the other side.
8 minStep 3: Mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, ½ cup water, 1 tbsp gochugaru (Korean chilli flakes), 1 tsp sugar, 2 garlic and half of 1 spring onions in a jug.
Step 4: Pour the sauce over the tofu in the pan and bring to a bubble. Lower the heat to medium and simmer, spooning the sauce over the top, until it has reduced to a few spoonfuls of glaze and the tofu looks lacquered.
8 minStep 5: Turn off the heat, drizzle with 1 tsp toasted sesame oil and scatter the rest of 1 spring onions and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds. Serve warm or cold.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 170 kcal
- Protein
- 13 g
- Carbs
- 6 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does dubu jorim take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- What can I use instead of soy sauce?
- Tamari, same amount (gluten free).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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