What does it taste like?
Clean, mild, and gently nutty; it readily absorbs sauces and broth.
Soy products
Tofu
두부
Common aliases
tofu · soft tofu · firm tofu · silken tofu · bean curd · soon tofu · sundubu
What is Tofu?
Tofu is soybean curd sold in textures from silken to extra-firm. Korean recipes choose the texture to suit stews, braises, or pan-frying.
How is it used?
Simmer soft tofu in stews, braise firm tofu in sauce, or pan-fry until golden.
Where can you buy it?
Korean grocers label tofu by intended use. Match soft tofu to stews and firm tofu to braises.
How should you store it?
Refrigerate unopened. Once opened, cover with fresh water and change it daily; use promptly.
Possible substitutes
Use the closest available tofu texture. The result may be more fragile or firmer than intended.
Recipes using Tofu
Soups & Stews
Black Sesame Tofu Rice Soup(흑임자 두부국)
A smooth rice and tofu soup enriched with finely ground toasted black sesame seeds.
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Soups & Stews
Budae Jjigae with Crown Daisy(쑥갓부대찌개)
A spicy stew of ham, zucchini, tofu, enoki mushrooms, kimchi, and chili pepper simmered in kelp broth and finished with fresh crown daisy.
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Main Dishes
Easy Soy Milk Noodles(간편콩국수)
Buckwheat noodles served in a creamy tofu-soy milk broth with stir-fried mushrooms, zucchini, onion, and colorful chilies.
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Side Dishes
Grilled Tofu with Seasoned Kimchi and Wild Chives(달래두부김치무침)
Golden pan-grilled tofu topped with a savory mixture of kimchi, wild chives, red bell pepper, sesame oil, garlic, and chili flakes.
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Soups & Stews
Kimchi Stew with Pork Meatballs(완자김치찌개)
A savory kimchi stew with steamed pork and tofu meatballs, bean sprouts, and a deeply flavored beef broth.
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Soups & Stews
Maesaengi and Soft Tofu Soup(매생이순두부탕)
Tender maesaengi seaweed, mussels, and soft tofu are simmered in a kelp, anchovy, and barley soybean paste broth.
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Soups & Stews
Napa Cabbage Soybean Paste Soup(배추된장국)
A light soybean paste soup with napa cabbage, tofu, onion, green onion, and chili simmered in anchovy broth and rice-rinsing water.
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Soups & Stews
Oyster and Tofu Soup(굴 두부 국)
A delicate kelp-broth soup with oysters, tofu, green onion, seaweed, and red chili, finished with sesame oil.
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Soups & Stews
Potato and Oyster Mushroom Soup(감자느타리버섯국)
A light anchovy-kelp soup with potato, oyster mushrooms, tofu, green onion, red chili, garlic, and shredded kelp.
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