Spicy Korean Fried Tofu

You have heard of Korean Fried Chicken, well here you go vegetarians, the moment you have all been waiting for. This recipe makes the tastiest and crispiest pop in your mouth treat, Spicy Korean Fried Tofu bites. They are so easy to make that these will become part of your regular snack rotation!

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Fried Korean Tofu Bites

Yield: Snack for 4 people

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

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Ingredients

• 14oz pkg Firm Tofu, cut into slices
• 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
• 1 clove Garlic, minced
• 3 cups Vegetable or Canola oil for frying
• 1/4 cup Cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp Flour
• Sesame Seeds (to serve)
• Green Onion, cut on bias (to serve)

Korean Sauce Ingredients

• 1 tsp Sesame Oil
• 2 tsp Ginger, grated or minced
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup Gochujang
• 1/4 cup Honey
• 3 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
• 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce

Instructions

1. Press tofu between paper towel, cover with a heavy pot/pan and let sit for 30 minutes. Then cut into 1/2" cubes.
2. Mix 1/4 cup Soy Sauce and 1 clove minced garlic in a casserole dish and add tofu, marinate for 1 hour.
3. To make sauce: Heat sesame oil in a small pot on medium heat, add ginger and garlic and sauté for 2 minutes. Add rest of sauce ingredients.
4. In a deep frying pan/pot or wok, heat the 3 cups of oil on medium heat.
5. Remove tofu from marinade onto paper towel to dry off outside. Mix flour and cornstarch together then add tofu.
6. When cornstarch thrown in the oil bubbles vigorously, it is hot enough. Add tofu in batches, being careful not to overload the oil. When light brown, pull out with slotted spoon into a metal strainer. Continue until all tofu is fried.
7. Turn oil to medium high, wait for 5 minutes, then fry tofu again to a darker brown and crispier crust.
8. When ready to serve, toss tofu in Korean sauce, sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 383Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2250mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 6gSugar: 31gProtein: 16g

We are not certified nutritionists and make no claims to be so. The nutritional information given here is intended for informational purposes only. These nutritional calculations are rounded numbers dependant on the certain ingredients and amounts in the recipe and are by no means perfect.

Ingredient List

• Extra Firm Tofu
• Soy Sauce
• Garlic
• Vegetable or Canola oil for frying
• Cornstarch
• Flour
• Sesame Seeds (to serve)
• Green Onion, cut on bias (to serve)
• Sesame Oil
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Gochujang
• Honey
• Rice Vinegar

How to make Korean Tofu Bites

1. Remove your Extra Firm Tofu from the package, discarding the liquids. Cut in half, then cut in half lengthwise. Place 3 to 4 sheets of paper towel onto a cutting board about the size of the tofu, then place tofu on top. Take 3 to 4 more sheets of paper towel and place on top of tofu. Take a heavy pot/pan and place on top of the tofu to weigh it down. If possible, try to put cans of food or something heavy in the pan/pot to weigh it down further. This will extract the liquid from the tofu, making it dryer. Let it sit for about 30 minutes.
2. Remove pot/pan and paper towels from the top and bottom of the tofu. Cut your tofu into 1/2″ cubes (approx. size is perfect).
3. In a small casserole dish (or a dish with a flat bottom) mix together the Soy Sauce and minced garlic. Add the tofu cubes, cover and marinate for 1 hour.
4. Meanwhile, make the sauce. In a small saucepot on low heat add sesame oil. When warm add minced ginger and garlic and sautee for 2 minutes. Add Gochujang, honey, rice vinegar, and soy sauce, cook for 1 minute, then turn off heat and set aside.
5. In a deep frying pan/pot or wok, heat the 3 cups of oil on medium heat.
6. Remove tofu from marinade and pat lightly to dry the outsides with paper towel.
7. In a large bowl, mix together flour and cornstarch. Add the tofu in batches, making sure to fully coat each piece of tofu.
8. Test the temperature of the oil by dusting some cornstarch into it, if it bubbles vigorously it is hot enough.
9. Set up a large colander or strainer inside a large bowl. This will be where you place your tofu when it is finished frying. Make sure you also have a metal slotted spoon to take the tofu pieces out of the hot oil.
10. Add tofu in batches, being careful not to overload the oil. When light brown, pull out with slotted spoon into a metal strainer. Continue until all tofu is fried.
11. Turn oil to medium high, wait for 5 minutes, then fry tofu again to a darker brown. This will give the tofu a second chance to crisp right up, and stay crispy when coated with sauce.
12. When ready to serve, turn the Korean sauce back on low heat to make more liquid. Toss the tofu into the sauce and place on a serving plate. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions and Enjoy!