Dubu Jorim: Spicy Braised Tofu from Korea

In recent times, my experiments with international cuisines has been on hold but that is about to change again. Kickstarting this journey today is this Spicy Braised Tofu from Korea called Dubu Jorim.

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This weekend, I got the first shot of the COVID vaccine and while I had no major side-effects, I felt a bit lethargic on the day after the shot. I was looking for something nutritious and easy to make when I remembered Dubu Jorim that has been on my list for the longest time. This easy to make Spicy Braised Tofu from Korea is a part of the banchan or side dishes that are served with rice as a part of a Korean meal.

Dishes that are a part of the banchan are shared by all the table and are served in small quantities as they are to be finished during the meal; if needed, banchan is replenished during the meal. What I love about the banchan is the variety of dishes and the wholesomeness that they add to any meal. The entire banchan covers so many food groups that you cannot but be healthy. 🙂

Since I try to include Paneer or Tofu in many meals during the week for the necessary protein, Dubu Jorim fits perfectly into my meal plan. While I made this dish with Tofu, you can use Paneer and the result is just as enjoyable.

This dish, as with a lot of South Asian cooking, uses toasted sesame oil. You can but this online or then use unrefined sesame oil. Though the flavour profile will change, the unrefined Sesame Oil will still give you a depth of flavour than plain flavourless cooking oil will not.

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Some Paneer Recipes

If you want to try paneer recipes, here are a few that are on my blog:

• Saag Paneer with Palak, Hara Lasun & Hara Pyaaz: Recipe by Heena Jhanglani
• Methi Paneer Bhurji (Also a Low Potassium, Renal Diet Recipe)
• Delicious, Spicy Tawa Paneer | Paneer Tava Masala
• Paneer Tikki or Paneer Cutlet | Recipe by Nikita Jhanglani

How to Make Dubu Jorim

1. The Preparations
   1. First, gently squeeze any extra moisture out of a 300 gm block of soft tofu or paneer. Retaining the excess water makes raising difficult. It would mean cooking the tofu for long and that can give it a rubbery texture.
   2. Slice the block of tofu or paneer into 2″ slices about 1/4″ thick.
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   3. Set aside 1 tsp spring onion greens for garnish.
   4. Toast 1 tsp sesame seeds till they start to change colour.
   5. Set asie.
2. Making the Sauce
   1. In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp Gochugaru or Spicy red chilli powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup water.
   2. Mix well and set aside.
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3. Braising the Tofu
   1. Over medium flame, heat a frying pan.
   2. Add 1 tbsp oil to a frying pan.
   3. Now, add the tofu slices and fry each side till it it light golden brown. Keep the heat on medium, else you will have charred and rubbery tofu.
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   4. Remove the braised tofu from the oil and set aside.
4. Making the Dubu Jorim
   1. To the same frying pan, add 1 tsp oil.
   2. Now, add 1/2 cup finely chopped onion and 1/2 tsp minced garlic.
   3. Stir-fry till the onion is transparent.
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   4. Next, add 1/4 cup chopped spring onion and stir-fry for 1 minute.
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   5. When the spring onion greens soften a bit, add the sauce and mix well.
   6. Now, stir-fry this mix till the extra water evapourates but the mix is still moist.
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   7. As the next step, add 1/2 tsp toasted sesame seed oil and mix well.
   8. Now, add the braised tofu slices and mix with a gentle hand till the slices are well-coated with onion mix.
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   9. Finally, add 1/2 tsp toasted seeds and mix well.
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   10. Cover and set aside for 5 minutes.
5. Serving Suggestions
   1. Transfer the Dubu Jorim to a plate.
   2. Garnish with 1 tsp spring onion greens and 1/2 tsp toasted sesame seeds.
   3. Serve hot with some sticky rice.

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Recipe for Dubu Jorim: Spicy Korean Braised Tofu

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Dubu Jorim: Spicy Korean Braised Tofu

Aruna

Dubu Jorim is a very easy to make and delicious Spicy Korean Braised Tofu. A part of the Banchan or the side-dishes served as a part of a Korean meal, the protein-rich Dubu Jorim is traditionally eaten with rice, but can be enjoyed by itself as well.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Accompaniments, Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine Korean, South Asian, South Korean, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings 4 People

Equipment

• Frying Pan
• Spatula
• Small Bowl

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 300 gms Tofu or Paneer
• 1/2 Cup Finely Chopped Onion
• 1 Finely Chopped Scallion or Spring Onion
• 1/2 tsp Minced Garlic
• 3 tsp Oil

For Sauce

• 1 tsp Soy Sauce
• 1/2 tsp Gochugaru or Spicy Chilli Powder
• 1/2 tsp Brown Sugar
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/4 Cup Water

Other Ingredients

• 1/2 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil
• 1 tsp Sesame Seeds

Instructions

 

Getting Started

• Gently squeeze any extra moisture out of a 300 gm block of soft tofu or paneer.
• Slice the block of tofu or paneer into 2″ slices about 1/4″ thick.
• Set aside 1 tsp spring onion greens for garnish.
• Toast 1 tsp sesame seeds till they start to change colour.
• Set aside.

Making the Sauce

• In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp Gochugaru or Spicy red chilli powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup water.
• Mix well and set aside.

Braising the Tofu

• Over medium flame, heat a frying pan.
• Add 2 tsp oil to a frying pan.
• Add the tofu slices and fry each side till it it light golden brown.
• Remove from the oil and set aside.

Making the Dubu Jorim

• To the same frying pan, add 1 tsp oil.
• Add 1/2 cup finely chopped onion and 1/2 tsp minced garlic.
• Stir-fry till the onion is transparent.
• Add 1/4 cup chopped spring onion and stir-fry for 1 minute.
• Add the sauce and mix well.
• Stir-fry till the extra water evapourates but the mix is still moist.
• Add 1/2 tsp toasted sesame seed oil and mix well.
• Add the braised tofu slices and mix with a gentle hand till the slices are well-coated with onion mix.
• Add 1/2 tsp toasted seeds and mix well.
• Cover and set aside for 5 minutes.
• Serving Suggestions
• Transfer the Dubu Jorim to a plate.
• Garnish with 1 tsp spring onion greens and 1/2 tsp toasted sesame seeds.
• Serve hot with some sticky rice.

Keyword Dubu Jorim, Gluten Free, Korean Tofu, Spicy Braised Tofu

Tried this recipe?Do let me know how you liked it @aahaaram or tag #aahaaram!