This dubu jorim (Korean braised tofu) is going to be your new favorite way to enjoy tofu! The tofu has a golden crust on the outside, is soft on the inside, and is super flavorful thanks to the delicious and slightly spicy soy-based sauce. Enjoy it with rice for a simple and tasty meal!
If you haven't fallen in love with tofu yet, then this recipe may change things. This dubu jorim (Korean braised tofu) is one of the most delicious (and one of my absolute favorite) ways to enjoy tofu!
The tofu is braised in a spicy and flavorful soy-based sauce that is complemented by fresh aromatics such as garlic and green onion. It's also perfectly soft on the inside while it has a delicious golden crust on the outside.
Plus, it's super easy to make with simple ingredients that can be found in most grocery stores or online.
Dubu Jorim Ingredients
To make this Korean braised tofu you'll need the following ingredients:
- Firm tofu: For this recipe, you'll need firm tofu. You can either buy it in a conventional grocery store or in an Asian grocery store. Usually, Asian grocery stores have a bigger selection of different types of tofu. I used Bibigo's firm tofu as it's firm enough to pan-fry the tofu, but still soft and moist on the inside.
- Garlic: You'll also need garlic to make the tofu taste flavorful and delicious.
- Green onion: Green onion is another important ingredient that adds to the wonderful flavor of this dish!
- Soy sauce: You'll need regular Japanese or Korean soy sauce to make dubu jorim. I usually use regular Kikkoman soy sauce. Feel free to use another brand that you like!
- Gochugaru: Gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes) is another important ingredient for this recipe! You should be able to find it in any Asian grocery store or online.
- Honey: You'll also need some kind of sweetener. I recommend using honey, but you could use another liquid sweetener (especially if you want to make this recipe vegan). Sugar is another option that is commonly used.
- Sesame oil: Sesame oil is a typical ingredient in Korean cooking. Make sure to use toasted sesame oil for this recipe. I recommend buying it in an Asian grocery store or online. Keep in mind that a dark color means that the sesame oil will taste more intense.
- Sesame seeds: Sesame seeds are great for adding texture! So make sure to use them for this Korean braised tofu recipe.
How to make dubu jorim
Prepare the sauce. First, whisk together all sauce ingredients in a bowl. Then set the sauce aside.
Pan-fry the tofu. Next, preheat some vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the tofu slices and pan-fry until golden brown. Then flip and pan-fry the other side until browned.
Braise the tofu. Now add the sauce to the pan and let the tofu braise. Make sure to spoon some sauce over the tofu slices.
Add some sesame oil. Once most of the liquid is gone, drizzle some sesame oil over the tofu. Flip to distribute the sesame oil.
Garnish. Garnish the braised tofu slices with sesame seeds. Serve with white rice and enjoy!
Tips & Notes
- Don't worry about pressing the tofu. Just buy firm tofu, cut it into slices, pat it dry, and use it for this recipe. Pressing it to remove all moisture can actually make it taste dry and tough. So just use the tofu as it is and pat it dry so that you can pan-fry it.
- Adjust the spice level to your taste. The recipe as specified in the recipe box below is spicy. I'd give it a 7 out of 10. So if you want to make it less spicy, lower the amount of gochugaru that you use.
- Use a non-stick pan for this tofu recipe. Tofu is very prone to sticking and can easily break in a stainless steel pan. That's why I'd recommend using a non-stick pan for this recipe.
- Don't move the tofu in the pan so that it can brown. When you move it around or flip it multiple times, it doesn't get the chance to brown and crisp up. So place the tofu in the pan, wait until it has browned, and then flip it.
How to serve Korean braised tofu
- Serve it with some white rice. I recommend using short-grain white rice to enjoy it with this spicy braised tofu. It perfectly balances your meal and makes it more filling and satiating. It's also a typical side dish for any Korean meal.
- Make more side dishes (banchan) to add more vegetables and variety to your meal. You could serve kimchi, kongnamul muchim (Korean bean sprout side dish), kimchi jeon (kimchi pancake), or oi muchim (Korean cucumber salad). They are delicious side dishes that perfectly complement dubu jorim and white rice!
- Prepare a main dish and serve this dubu jorim as a side dish. You could make doenjang jjigae (Korean soybean paste stew), dakgalbi (spicy Korean chicken stir fry), or ground beef bulgogi. They are all super easy to make and taste amazing!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this recipe uses the ingredients and methods that are typically used to make dubu jorim. I always make sure that I keep the authenticity of recipes while creating my own version of them. I cook a lot of Korean food at home and love to share how I cook certain dishes at home!
The tofu is soft on the inside and has a delicious crust on the outside. The sauce is garlicky, spicy, and has a soy sauce base. This dish is super flavorful which makes it go really well with a neutral side dish like white rice. It's seriously delicious and perfect for anyone who loves bold flavors!
Yes, it is. I'd give it a 7 out of 10. It's very enjoyable if you like spicy foods but definitely isn't overly hot. If you prefer it milder, you can adjust the amount of gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes) that you use. I think most people who like a bit of spice will love this recipe!
You'll need firm tofu to make this dish. I personally love Bibigo's firm tofu as it has the perfect balance of soft and firm. Generally, I'd recommend buying tofu from an Asian grocery store as they have a big selection of different types.
The best way to enjoy this dish is by serving it with a bowl of white rice, a main dish (optional), and other side dishes (called "banchan"). I recommend checking out the post for more information and recipes that go well with dubu jorim!
Both are possible! I prefer it warm, but you can serve it straight out of the refrigerator when it's cold.
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days. They can be served cold or can be warmed up in a microwave.
More simple and delicious Korean recipes
If you love authentic Korean food and Korean-inspired dishes, I recommend trying one of the following recipes. They are all super easy to make and taste absolutely delicious!
- Kimchi Pancake (Kimchi Jeon)
- Ground Beef Bulgogi
- Tteokbokki (Spicy Korean Rice Cakes)
- Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Soybean Paste Stew)
- Spicy Korean-Style Ground Turkey
Dubu Jorim (Korean Braised Tofu)
Equipment
- Non-stick pan
Ingredients
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon honey
- ½ - 1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
- ½ cup water
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 green onion sliced
Other Ingredients
- 1 14-ounce package firm tofu cut into thick slices and patted dry
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- First, whisk together all sauce ingredients in a bowl and set the sauce aside.3 tablespoons soy sauce, ½ tablespoon honey, ½ - 1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes), ½ cup water, 2 garlic cloves, 1 green onion
- Next, preheat some vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Then add the tofu slices and pan-fry them until golden brown. Flip and pan-fry the other side until golden brown.1 14-ounce package firm tofu, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Now add the sauce to the pan. Let the tofu braise in the sauce until most of the liquid is gone. Occasionally, spoon the sauce over the tofu.
- Drizzle some sesame oil over the tofu and flip until evenly distributed.1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- Garnish with sesame seeds, serve and enjoy!sesame seeds
Notes
- Adjust the spice level. If you prefer this dish spicy, use 1 tablespoon of gochugaru for 4 servings. To make it moderately spicy, use ½ tablespoon. To make it mild(-ish), use 1 teaspoon of gochugaru.
- Use a non-stick pan. You can use another type of pan, but tofu is prone to sticking so the slices may break when you try to flip them. I love my stainless steel pans, but for this recipe I'd recommend using non-stick to make things easier.
- Make this recipe vegan by using another sweetener of your choice. Sugar is a commonly used sweetener.
- Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce. There are many brands that sell soy sauce that doesn't contain gluten.
Kristina
I cooked it on stainless steel and it magically and wonderfully came together like perfection! I used avocado oil to toast them on the pan. I didn’t make changes to the recipe and love how it turned out! Thank you!
Beri
Hi Kristina, I'm happy that you liked this recipe! It's one of my favorite ways to prepare tofu. 😊