Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim)

Korean braised tofu, or dubu jorim, is a quick and flavorful dish that comes together in minutes. Pan-seared tofu slices are braised in a savory sauce with soy sauce and gochugaru, adding just the right touch of spice. It’s perfect served with rice or noodles.

If you haven’t tried a really good tofu dish yet, let me introduce you to a Korean braised tofu dish called Dubu Jorim. This simple recipe is sure to impress you.

The firm tofu is first pan-seared and then quickly braised in a soy sauce-based sauce with gochugaru, which are Korean chili flakes. It’s a bit spicy, but you can adjust the heat to your liking.

This Korean braised tofu recipe is very easy to make in one pan, and it’s so good that you’ll want to cook it often. Each slice of tofu is thick and has a meaty texture, and every bite is savory, salty, and rich with deep umami flavor.

You can enjoy dubu jorim warm or cold, and it goes well with both rice and noodles, offering many ways to customize it. It’s one of my personal favorite Korean side dishes, and I hope you’ll love it too.

What You’ll Need for Korean Braised Tofu

Best Tofu for Dubu Jorim

There are three different types of tofu in the market — firm tofu (부침용), soft tofu (찌개용), and silken tofu (생식용). For this braised tofu recipe, I recommend using a block of firm tofu. It holds the shape, and you can enjoy the chewy texture.

Please see my Korean pantry page to learn more about different types of tofu and their usage in various recipes.

No Need to Press Tofu

Many people bothers with pressing tofu by putting some sort of heavy tofu press object to remove the water from tofu. There’s no need of it if you follow my instruction.

All you need is couple sheets of paper towel to gently wipe off the moisture from the surface. My Korean pan-fried tofu (dubu buchim) is a great example of that. You will get crispy and chewy tofu every time.

Other Ingredients Needed

• Onion, chili, garlic, green onion – adds savory taste. You can omit fresh chili if you prefer it to be less spicy.
• Condiments used: Soy sauce, Korean chili flakes (gochugaru), sesame oil
• Either anchovy stock or water – I personally prefer using anchovy stock to add umami, but water works fine, too.

How to make Korean Braised Tofu (dubu jorim)

Step 1. To prepare the sauce, mix together soy sauce, Korean chili flakes, garlic, sugar, sesame oil, and black pepper. Add anchovy stock or water and stir until well combined; then set it aside.

Note: If you are making this recipe as a vegetarian tofu dish, use water instead of anchovy stock.

Step 2. Cut the tofu into 1/2-inch thick slices. Gently press each slice with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture.

Step 3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the tofu slices and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Avoid flipping the tofu back and forth while it cooks to ensure a crisp surface.

Step 4. Place the onion and chili on top of the tofu, then pour the sauce evenly over everything. Bring it to a boil, cover with a lid, and let it simmer for 4-5 minutes over medium-low heat.

Step 5. Take off the lid and, if desired, garnish the braised tofu with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Serve this Korean spicy tofu dish with a bowl of steamed rice as a plant-based main dish or complementary side dish.

Customization Ideas

1. Want to make it heartier? Although I prefer serving it as is without adding anything else, add your favorite veggies if you prefer to make it more nutritious. Zucchini, carrot, radish, pepper are good addition.
2. Try adding chopped shrimp for an extra layer of flavor and protein—it’s a delicious addition!
3. Perfect tofu rice bowl or tofu noodle bowl, or even with porridge. Just top it up with this flavorful tofu and you are good to go.
4. Wonderful vegetarian or vegan dish if you use kombu dashi or water instead of anchovy stock.

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