How to Make Mild Japanese-Style Mapo Tofu in 25 Minutes!

ground pork

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground beef

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground beef is often less expensive.

doubanjiang

💰Cheaper: chili paste

Chili paste can provide similar heat and flavor.

sesame oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is less expensive and can be used for cooking.

tofu

🥗Healthier: silken tofu

💰Cheaper: firm tofu

Silken tofu offers a creamier texture, while firm tofu is often cheaper.

Heat a pan or wok on medium heat.

Add the pork mince to the pan without oil, as the pork has enough fat.

Season the pork with a sprinkle of salt and pepper and fry until browned.

Add the finely diced onion and fry until softened slightly.

Add half teaspoon of sake, half teaspoon of soy sauce, and half tablespoon of miso paste to the pork and onion mixture, mixing thoroughly.

Push the mixture to one side of the pan and add a drizzle of sesame oil, half tablespoon of toban jam, and one teaspoon of garlic paste. Fry until aromatic, then mix with the pork.

Add 200 milliliters of chicken stock and the firm tofu to the pan and bring to a boil.

Once boiling, add half tablespoon of oyster sauce, one tablespoon of sake, half teaspoon of soy sauce, and a sprinkling of black pepper. Mix and reduce the heat to simmer until reduced by about half.

Add the slurry made from two tablespoons of cold water mixed with two teaspoons of cornstarch to thicken the sauce. Simmer until it reaches the desired thickness.

Drizzle chili oil over the top according to your spice tolerance and serve with rice, garnished with chopped spring onions and chili threads.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens