Dubu Jorim aka Spicy Braised Tofu

The versatile Korean banchan that’s spicy, savory, and full of plant-based protein. Make Dubu Jorim once and it will soon become your favorite 15-minute breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack!

If there’s one dish that brings me back to my Korean American childhood, this would be it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen someone frying up squares of tofu on the stovetop, knowing this will soon be on the table.

That’s because Dubu Jorim is the fast, simple banchan that tastes good anytime of the day or night. It tastes good for breakfast AND as a late night snack. It pairs perfectly with rice but also goes with just about everything else, too.

In just 15 minutes, you can have a naturally vegan side dish that’s so delicious, you will want to eat it all the time! I love this dish and hope you will, too.

Non-Stick Skillets:

Chinese cooks own woks. Korean cooks own non-stick skillets. In fact, almost every Korean cook I know owns at least one non-stick skillet, if not more. It’s the practical cooking tool that’s perfect for so many Korean preparations. (Like Kimchi Pancake, Korean Beef Patties (aka Donguerang Ddeng), Kimchi Fried Rice, Bulgogi, etc. etc.)

Admittedly, I have a love-hate relationship with non-stick skillets. I love that they make pan frying so much easier with a minimal amount of oil. But they don’t seem to last very long. I find they need replacing every year or two because they quickly lose their non-stick capabilities. Not the ideal cooking tool, in my book.

Instead, I like to use cast iron pans. Mine are well greased from years of frequent use. They act like non-stick skillets and I use them everyday — I absolutely love them! The tricky part is the maintenance. But once you get over that, they are the best.

Using a regular skillet will NOT work for this recipe. The tofu will stick to the pan and the sauce will burn. In the end, you’ll find yourself scraping the browned bits off the bottom and swearing to never make this dish again. But I’m here to tell you, it’s not you! It’s the pan! Trust me, you can make this dish!

All to say, this recipe NEEDS a non-stick skillet. But if you don’t have one, use a well-greased cast iron pan.

How To Make Dubu Jorim:

Cut firm tofu into 1/2-inch thick squares. Pat both sides dry with a paper towel.

Heat a non-stick skillet (or well greased cast iron pan) with 2 Tbsp neutral oil. Add tofu and cook until crispy and browned on both sides.

Spoon sauce over the tofu squares. Add water into the pan. Cook until sauce is reduced and the tofu has absorbed all that saucy flavor. This step goes fast so watch carefully!

Serve with rice and kimchi. Enjoy!