Tofu and Mushroom Jorim (Soy-Braised Tofu) Recipe (2024)

Ratings

4

out of 5

879

user ratings

Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.

Cooking Notes

Sirena

Delicious with these small adds:TOFU: Press tofu to release excess water. Cut in 1" x .5" squares (1" cubes are too thick & don't absorb as much flavor). Brown tofu squares on both sides in light oil in non-stick panSAUCE: +1 TBS sesame oil, +1 TBS mirin, +1 TBS gochugaru or red pepper chili flakes.ASSEMBLE: Add shiitakes to tops of browned tofu squares in the pan & scoop sauce on top of each & add remaining sauce to pan. Cover & simmer 5 min, then +2 min w/o lid to thicken sauce.

Elizabeth

Two notes, both respectfully in disagreement with popular recommendations: please try the recipe mostly as is and do not roast, sear, or otherwise cook pressed tofu. Braising porous tofu will invite the sauce to penetrate each piece; once glazed, both tofu and shiitakes were perfect. Second, if you have kimchi and stubby brown rice, the short list of ingredients is enough. Kimchi is essential and the simplicity of the dish is one of its strengths. Make a green side to go with. PS do DB sauce.

Anna

A delicious quick and easy meal. I added a bit of special fish sauce I brought back from Korea to give it some extra umami, and it was a hit with the family!

Percy Jones

I found this recipe lacking in many ways. When I give it another shot, I'll add some gochujang, a touch of sesame oil, and possibly switch to regular soy sauce vs low sodium. Also, this is in desperate need of something with a 'bite' or 'crunch' if you don't have kimchi on hand.

BAC

My understanding is that ‘jorim’ means braised and the tofu is supposed to be a softer texture that soaks up the sauce, so I did press the tofu to get out so much extra water first but didn’t fry or bake it. I doubled the amount of mushrooms, and used a mix of shiitake, baby king oyster, and cremini. I also added some sugar snap peas. For the sauce, I doubled the number of scallions to 4, and added a dash of unseasoned rice wine vinegar. It came out fabulous!

Mar Vista

Sauce benefited from a long simmer. Added some parboiled bok choy and carrots with mushrooms and tofu. Added a squirt of gochujang.

G. Smith

We really liked this and will make again. I doubled the recipe, used more affordable, brown Crimini mushrooms, & a combination of soy sauces (regular, dark mushroom soy sauce, and Lucky Boy sweet soy sauce) because they're what I had on hand, and for added flavor. I found that it needed to be cooked more like 30 minutes for sauce to become anything like a glaze (but having doubled the recipe, my pan was crowded). Definitely serve with rice and kimchi, and plenty of extra scallions for topping.

Alexandra

This was a knockout, 5-star, umami-packed bowl of deliciousness. I made the recipe as written (except I used oyster mushrooms cause that was what I had). Absolutely delicious. Took a bit longer than 15 minutes to reduce the sauce, but it was my fault as I kept the lid on the pot at first. Served it with a broccoli banchan, kimchi, and rice. Make this!!!

Ron

As one person said, it needs a “crunch”. The way it is is like eating baby food. I did it 2 ways…used ex firm tofu, and added chopped water chestnuts. Greatly improved the experience. The next method, I used peanuts. That gave it a bit of Kung Pao crunch and texture. I also used white pepper and black vinegar to give it a little hot and sour bite. Lots of ways to dress it up, it’s a personal choice, but it’s original recipe was too mushy for me.

intero

you'd be able to use anything that benefits from a quick braise here—cabbage, potatoes, shish*to peppers, carrots, or even hard-boiled eggs come to mind. whole cremini or sliced portobello mushrooms would certainly work well. the spirit of jorim is in the sauce!

Maggie

I added a tablespoon of Gochuhang and a tad bit of sesame oil, and used full sodium organic soy sauce. Delish!

Bridget from MN

Was this ever good and EASY! The only thing I did was double the pepper because we love pepper! Bought already sliced shiitake mushrooms for even easier prep. I really appreciate recipes where the results are definitely greater than the sun of it's parts... This was one of them.

Ice Hockey Cook

We didn't have low soy sauce, so used the regular type--and was very salty. For regular soy sauce, maybe use dilute with water.

Peggy Polenberg

Very delicious & vegan. Fresh shiitake mushrooms are abundant in our local farmer market. Perfect time to make this wonderful tofu dish.

ScottB

I substituted sliced king oyster mushrooms. it was excellent. I know this is a weird compliment, but it tasted like good Chinese restaurant food.

Hannah

Made with 12 oz of mixed mushrooms, some extra garlic. Really good!

Kristine

I loved this dish and will make it frequently. I reduced the sugar by 1 tablespoon and added a few more shiitake, otherwise I followed the recipe.

good base but needs a kick

I liked the idea of this recipe. Very fast prep and cook. Did not have kimchi on hand but added red pepper flakes, broccoli for some crunch and a squeeze of lime to add a little acid. That made it juuuust right!

CG

next time I'll double the mushrooms - used coconut aminos mixed with soy to cut saltiness - but yum!

E

Delicious! I added 3 good handfuls of braising greens at the end and let them wilt. Great for a quick meal.

AnnBeeeeeeeee

Cut the tofu into smaller cubes. Used 1/2 dark soy sauce and 1/2 light. Added a box of baby spinach to increase veg. Sautéed the garlic, ginger, and scallion for a couple of minutes before adding liquids, tofu, and shiitake. Fast, easy, delish.

GabbyG

I liked this a lot! I added a spoonful of gochujang (like others recommended) and served it with snap peas!

joan

Made this exactly as written except I added some crunchy chili at the end. Served on brown rice, and a few drops of sesame oil at serving time. I didn’t have kimchi, alas. Ate it both hot and cold and loved it both times.

mama

Too hot and salty. Tone down both

jules

We will be making this again! Love having such a quick and flexible recipe !!

jenny

Wish I’d read the comments earlier. Was quite bland and lacked texture. Will crisp tofu next time and hit it with heat.

Slatts

Wonderful! I used Trader Joe’s mushroom medley and tasted great. Double the sauce!!

vrcat

Don’t worry about blandness - it’s part of the appeal. Thanks to Elizabeth’s note, I did not to cook the tofu separately. I pressed the tofu between plates for 10m. The tofu soaks up the flavor and becomes soft and soothing. Served it with lots of steaming medium grain rice. The kimchi is not optional - mixed into rice it added a nice sour counterpoint to the mellow tofu, adding dimension. Just delicious!

Private notes are only visible to you.

Tofu and Mushroom Jorim (Soy-Braised Tofu) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is braised tofu made of? ›

It begins by pan-frying tofu squares until they're golden brown. From there, the crispy tofu is braised in a deeply savory, slightly sweet, and spicy Chinese sauce until every bite is infused with rich flavor. Scoop the spicy braised tofu over rice and greens, then enjoy!

Is braised tofu healthy? ›

Besides being delicious, all the ingredients in this dish are loaded with health benefits. The braised tofu is a great protein source, low in fat and naturally gluten-free.

What is the tastiest way to make tofu? ›

Press tofu and cube it. Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

Do I need to soak tofu before cooking? ›

Many cooking experts champion a quick soak as a way to give the protein more texture and flavor. “Simmering cubed tofu in salted water for 60 seconds pulls out excess moisture and tightens the proteins on its surface,” Lukas Volger told Bon Appétit in 2021.

What does it mean to braise tofu? ›

The pieces of tofu are cooked to a golden brown crisp before being simmered in a deliciously savoury soy-based sauce for it to soak up all the flavours. It's so tasty! Growing up we'd often have braised dishes at home. My mom would usually fry pieces of tofu and sometimes even fish before cooking it down in a sauce.

Why do people eat tofu instead of meat? ›

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, half a cup of firm tofu offers 21.8 grams of protein with 181 calories and 11 grams of fat. Most of that fat is of the healthy polyunsaturated kind. The high level of protein makes tofu a good alternative to animal-derived meat.

Is tofu healthier than chicken? ›

Tofu nutrition. This meatless option is a staple for vegetarians, and rightfully so. It boasts more fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and folate than chicken and contains fewer calories.

Is it healthier to eat tofu or meat? ›

Consuming tofu regularly helps lower bad cholesterol, alleviates symptoms associated with menopause and even lowers the risk of cancer. Other major health benefits of tofu compared to meat include making middle-aged bones stronger and delaying the ravages of age.

Which tofu is healthiest? ›

For relatively similar serving sizes, the nutrition differences between silken and firm tofu are pretty big. Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

The Secret to Perfect Tofu
  • Press. As many people know, pressing tofu is key. You must get the water out so it can absorb the delicious sauce that you are going to marinade it in. ...
  • Dry Fry. Next is dry frying. ...
  • Marinate. Buy a bottled marinade from the store or whip up your own. ...
  • Bake. Bake the tofu on 350° for 30-45 minutes.
May 17, 2012

Is it better to fry or bake tofu? ›

It sticks, and the crispy bits end up sticking to the pan, which is a tofu tragedy. Plus, it requires more oil, and you don't need to use a lot of oil to get crispy tofu. When you bake your tofu, you give it time to develop crispy edges and warm, pillowy insides. It's simply the best.

What to pair tofu with? ›

What to serve with tofu. These easy tofu meals go well with white rice, toasted bread, or noodles.

What happens if you don't press tofu before cooking? ›

And if tofu is vacuumed packed or firm already, you definitely don't need to press it. Here's why: moisture in tofu is a good thing. Tofu is over 80% water, and that moisture is what makes it such a succulent, juicy source of protein. Pressing it can make the tofu unnecessarily dry and strip it of its intended texture.

What happens if you don't drain tofu before cooking? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

What is meant by braising? ›

braising, the cooking of meat or vegetables by heating them slowly with oil and moisture in a tightly sealed vessel. Braising differs from stewing, in which the food is immersed in liquid, and from covered roasting, in which no liquid is added.

What meat is tofu? ›

Tofu, also known as bean curd, is a versatile soy-based food made by curdling soy milk and pressing it into solid white blocks. It serves as a key ingredient in various cuisines worldwide. This plant-based protein offers a neutral taste and a spongy texture, making it great for absorbing flavors in cooking.

Is soy and tofu the same thing? ›

Tofu, also known as soybean curd, is a soft, smooth soy product made by curdling fresh, hot soymilk with coagulant. Tofu has a mild flavor and easily absorbs the flavors of marinades, spices and other ingredients. Tofu is rich in high-quality protein and B vitamins, and low in sodium.

What's the difference between soy and tofu? ›

Tofu is made from the whole bean and has a higher nutritional value than soya protein extract and no toxins. Soya is well researched as a nutritional component that, as we have discovered, has been a part of the diets of millions of adults and children in Asia for centuries.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 5748

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.