Tofu (Dubu)
λλΆdu-bu
Firm, soft and silken tofu in Korean cooking
Dubu has been made in Korea for centuries and is everyday food: pan-fried, braised, crumbled into stews and mashed into fillings. Korean grocers sell several textures, each meant for a particular job.
- Korean name
- λλΆ (du-bu)
- What it is
- Firm, soft and silken tofu in Korean cooking
- Storage
- Once opened, keep tofu covered in fresh water in the fridge, changing the water daily, and use within two to three days.
- Substitute
- Paneer or tempeh for pan-frying; for silken tofu in desserts and dressings, Greek yogurt or ricotta.
- Recipes
- Used in 121 recipes on coo K food
Types of tofu
Buchim-yong tofu is firm, for pan-frying. Jjigae-yong is softer, for stews. Sundubu is extra-soft, unpressed curd sold in tubes for sundubu-jjigae, and yeon-dubu is silken tofu. Podubu (pressed tofu sheets) is cut into noodle-like ribbons, and yubu are fried tofu pouches used for stuffed rice and soups.
How it is used
Dubu-jorim β tofu pan-fried and then braised in a spicy soy sauce β is one of the most common side dishes. Tofu is also served with stir-fried kimchi (dubu-kimchi), simmered in doenjang-jjigae, squeezed dry and mixed into dumpling fillings, and stuffed and steamed for the royal-court dish dubu-seon. By custom, people released from prison are given a block of tofu to eat β a symbol of a clean, fresh start.
Preparing it
Pat tofu dry or press it under a weight for 15 minutes before frying, and sprinkle it lightly with salt to firm it. For fillings, wrap it in cheesecloth and squeeze out as much water as possible. Tofu itself is low in sodium and high in protein, which is why many recipes here use it to stretch salty pastes such as doenjang.
π§ How to store it
Once opened, keep tofu covered in fresh water in the fridge, changing the water daily, and use within two to three days. Frozen tofu turns spongy and chewy β great for braising.
π Substitutes
Paneer or tempeh for pan-frying; for silken tofu in desserts and dressings, Greek yogurt or ricotta.
π Where to buy
This is a fresh ingredient, so it is best bought in person at a Korean or pan-Asian grocery store such as H Mart, or through an online Asian grocer that delivers fresh produce in your area. Look for it under its Korean name, λλΆ (dubu).
