Fried Tofu

Fried Tofu

Fried Tofu

This is new territory for me. For my entire life, especially being a butcher, I’ve talked mad shit about tofu. MAD SHIT. How wrong I’ve been. If you are as closed minded about tofu as I used to be, I recommend trying it fried like this first. It is a great gateway into eating tofu. I had recently had it in a bowl of Kuay Jub at my favorite Thai restaurant, On’s Kitchen. And then something clicked in my head and stomach with it. I kinda can’t stop eating it. Maybe because I’m stoned as fuck. 
The first thing you want to look for when frying tofu is that it has to be firm tofu. Anything less than firm tofu has too much moisture and won’t hold it’s shape very well. The beauty of tofu is that it is $.99 a brick at my local Asian market. It also takes on pretty much whatever flavor you give it. It is great in stir fry, soups, or just on it’s own like how I prepared it.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: Chinese, Korean, Thai
Keyword: Chinese, Korean, main course, side dish, snack, Thai
Servings: 1
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 1 brick firm tofu
  • 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
  • salt

Garnishes

  • siracha
  • green onion
  • toasted sesame seeds
  • fried garlic

Instructions

  • For frying tofu, make sure to use firm tofu.
    Chinese, Korean, Thai
  • Wrap tofu in a couple layers of paper towel.
    Chinese, Thai, Korean
  • Weigh down the tofu with another plate and something that weights around 3lbs. Let it be for 20 minutes. It is important when frying tofu to get out as much moisture as possible so the oil doesn’t spatter. Also, if there is any moisture left on the outside of the tofu, they will slightly stick to the bottom of the pan.
    Chinese, Korean, Thai
  • Cut brick into 12 pieces. If you want them to be smaller, cut them smaller. Unless you plan on deep frying the tofu, I wouldn’t cut them any larger. Pat these down with more paper towel.
    Chinese, Thai, Korean
  • Add cooking oil to a skillet on medium high heat. Since I’m using a smaller skillet, I cooked the tofu in 2 batches. Cook on the first side for 5 minutes.
    Chinese, Korean, Thai
  • Flip tp the other side and cook for another 5 minutes.
    Chinese, Korean, Thai
  • Drain tofu on pare towel of excess grease. Salt.
    Chinese, Korean, Thai
  • Throw the tofu in a bowl and toss with green onions, toasted sesame seed, siracha, and fried garlic. 
    Chinese, Korean, Thai
  • Eat the fuck out of this.
    Chinese, Korean, Thai