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

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By Chris Joe

5 from 15 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 15 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

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

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 pairs well with tofu? ›

Rice or Noodles.

We usually serve our tofu stir fry with brown rice (I cook it in the Instant Pot right along with the rest of the meal), but if you prefer tofu stir fry noodles, these are a tasty option, and they cook more quickly too!

What are the different types of tofu Korea? ›

Korean block tofu comes in 3 types — firm (부침용), soft (찌개용), and silken (생식용). Firm (부침용): This type of tofu is good for pan-frying. It holds up pretty well, so it's typically used for dubu jorim. However, the difference between the soft (찌개용) and firm is not huge in Korean tofu, so they can be interchangeable.

Can I use extra firm tofu instead of silken tofu? ›

Both silken and regular tofu can be found in soft, medium, firm, and extra-firm consistencies. They are made with the same ingredients, but they are processed slightly differently and are not interchangeable in a recipe.

Is braised tofu healthy? ›

1 serving of braised tofu contains 272 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 16% carbs, 67% fat, and 18% protein. This is a good source of protein (23% of your Daily Value) and calcium (22% of your Daily Value).

Does braised mean fully cooked? ›

And that's the thing about a braise: It doesn't cook to a specific temperature, just until it's fork-tender and ready to fall apart.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

Is it OK to eat eggs with tofu? ›

Quick, easy, and healthy, Tofu and Eggs is the perfect meal for any weeknight dinner!

Should tofu be eaten hot or cold? ›

Tofu can be eaten hot or cold, by itself or in recipes. * When using tofu in a stir-fry, maintain its shape and texture by adding it at the last minute. Overcooking softens tofu. * When using tofu in a chilled dessert or a dip, allow the dish to sit at least one hour for the flavor to develop.

What is jorim in Korean? ›

Jorim (Korean: 조림) is a category of dishes in Korean cuisine, made by simmering vegetables, meat, fish, seafood, or tofu in seasoned broth until the liquid is absorbed into the ingredients and reduced down.

What is dubu in Korean? ›

Authentic Korean Restaurant | Tofu is called DUBU in Korea, a creamy and soft soy-bean curds.

How do Koreans eat tofu? ›

Korean Braised Tofu, or Dubu Jorim is 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.

Can dogs eat tofu? ›

“Dogs can eat tofu in moderation as it is not toxic to them, but it does not contain enough protein to fulfill their nutritional requirements,” explains Dr. Klein. As a result, you should not use tofu protein as a primary ingredient in your dog's diet.

How long does tofu last in the fridge? ›

If it darkens in color, begins to smell, or feels slimy, it should be thrown away. Bottom line: Open packages of tofu are good in the fridge for up to five days, provided you change the water daily.

Which tofu is best for weight loss? ›

Use Tofu to Save Calories

A 3.5-ounce serving of firm tofu has just 78 calories. The same amount of silken tofu has 55 calories, and a 3.5-ounce serving of soft tofu has 61 calories. All of these types of tofu have fewer calories than many of the typical animal-based protein foods eaten by people on a diet.

What does braised mean in cooking? ›

braising, the cooking of meat or vegetables by heating them slowly with oil and moisture in a tightly sealed vessel. Braising differs from stewing, in which the food is immersed in liquid, and from covered roasting, in which no liquid is added. Braising is a combination of covered roasting and steaming.

Does braised mean slow cooked? ›

Braising, a form of slow cooking, involves cooking meat on a bed of vegetables (a mirepoix) with a small amount of liquid in a covered pan, for a couple hours on a low heat. The vegetables are usually served with the meat and the wonderful cooking juices are used as a tasty sauce.

Why is it called braising? ›

In French, “braise” means “live coals”, and the term “braising” originates from the French verb “braiser”, meaning to cook over live coals. When you braise food, you're not literally cooking over coals, but you are aiming for a combination of moist-heat and dry-heat cooking.

What is braise and simmer? ›

Braising (from the French word braiser) is a combination-cooking method that uses both wet and dry heats: typically, the food is first browned at a high temperature, then simmered in a covered pot in cooking liquid (such as wine, broth, coconut milk or beer).

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