5-Minute Microwave Silken Tofu (Soft Tofu)

This Korean silken tofu recipe is ready in under 5 minutes using a microwave. Topped with a flavorful soy chili sauce, it’s a quick, easy, and delicious side dish or light meal perfect for busy days.

Several years ago, I was vacationing on Korea’s eastern coast with my family, riding three-wheeled ATVs. Our guide told us to go up a steep mountain in the rain. Unfortunately, I had a bad fall and fractured my upper femur bone.

Long story short, instead of riding ATVs, we rode in ambulances. I had surgery and was hospitalized for a few days. During that time, I lost over 10 lbs due to stress and a loss of appetite. Everything I tried to eat tasted like sand except for this Korean silken tofu dish called “yeondubu (연두부)”.

Somehow, I could taste this silky smooth tofu drizzled with slightly spicy Korean soy chili sauce. It was the only dish I could actually swallow. This Korean silken tofu was a lifesaver during my recovery, and I still enjoy it today. And of course, after I recovered, I gained all the pounds back plus a little more. Arrrgh!

Out of all the soft tofu recipes, this is perhaps the easiest and quickest to make. It takes less than 5 minutes with basic ingredients you already have in your kitchen. The best part? No clean-up!

Doesn’t it sound like the perfect recipe for those lazy days when you don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen? My quick braised tofu recipe is another easy tofu dish you will love, so check it out as well.

What is silken tofu?

Silken tofu is undrained and unpressed, giving it the highest water content among tofu types. Made by coagulating soy milk without curdling, it results in a wobbly, tender texture.

In regular tofu, you have soft, firm, and extra-firm varieties. In Korean cuisine, extra-firm tofu is rarely used. Instead, silken tofu is favored for its delicate texture.

Silken Tofu vs. Soft Tofu

Silken tofu is often referred to as soft tofu in Korean and Chinese cuisine, even though it’s softer and creamier than the regular soft tofu. It’s more fragile and can easily fall apart if not handled carefully.

Korean soft tofu soup (soondubu jjigae) uses silken tofu, known as soon tofu (순두부), but it’s often called soft tofu soup in English. While crispy pan-fried tofu recipes use firm tofu, many Korean soups and stews use soft tofu.

3 Cooking Methods to heat up silken tofu

You can heat a block of silken tofu in three different ways. Choose the one that you are most comfortable with. My favorite method is using a microwave.

1. Microwave method: Take the tofu out of the package and gently place it on a microwave-safe plate. Warm it up for about 45 seconds in the microwave.
2. Poaching method: Drop the entire unopened package of tofu in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Carefully open the package and slide the tofu out onto a serving dish. (If you are not comfortable with the plastic package in boiling water, use the microwave or steaming method instead)
3. Steaming method: Bring a pot of water to boil with a steamer in it. Put a block of tofu on a heat-proof plate and place it on the steamer. Cover the pot with a lid and steam for 3-5 minutes.

How to make Korean Silken Tofu (Microwave Method)

1. Make soy chili sauce. Mix all the soy chili sauce ingredients in a small bowl.

2. Cook tofu in a microwave. Take the tofu out of package and place on a microwave safe dish. Heat it up for 45-60 seconds until hot.

3. Drizzle the soy chili sauce. Spoon the sauce over the entire block of tofu. Or slice the tofu into 2-4 pieces and place them on an individual dish, then drizzle the sauce over the tofu.

Serving Suggestion

Serve this Korean tofu dish right after it’s made, paired with a bowl of rice to fully enjoy its delicate texture. The rice will soak up the creamy tofu in the garlicky chili sauce, making every bite deliciously dreamy.

Storing the Leftover

If there are any leftovers, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 1 week. You can enjoy the tofu cold, which is refreshing in the savory sauce, or microwave it for a few seconds to warm it up if you prefer.

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