Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) (VIDEO)
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Korean Braised Tofu, or Dubu Jorim, is so simple but delicious! Firm tofu is braised in a spicy, soy-based sauce that is delicious over rice or as a side dish — all you need is one pan and 20 minutes!
Watch the Korean Braised Tofu Recipe Video!
A Note from CJ
Korean Braised Tofu is so delicious!
Korean Braised Tofu, or Dubu Jorim, is often served as a Korean side dish (banchan) alongside others like Korean Cucumber Salad, Korean Bean Sprout Side Dish, Korean Broccoli Salad, Korean Spinach, Korean Fish Cakes, or Korean Braised Potatoes! It’s so flavorful and one of my favorite ways to cook tofu!
Love tofu? Try Air Fryer Tofu, Spicy Honey Garlic Tofu, Salt and Pepper Tofu, Mapo Tofu, or Chinese Silken Tofu!
This was delicious! Bravo! Best tofu recipe I’ve found.
Ingredient Tips
Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements!
- firm tofu – I recommend using extra firm tofu – it has the least amount of water and will hold up when pan fried. Softer tofus may fall apart when cooking. Cut tofu into 1/2″ to 1″ thick rectangles – I like mine thicker but this is up to you.
- gochugaru (Korean chili flake) – gochugaru is Korean red chili pepper flakes (or powder, depending on which version you purchase). It’s vibrant in color, smoky in flavor, and on the spicy side. If you’re sensitive to heat, consider halving the amount.
- sesame seeds – this is for texture; skip if you don’t have it.
How to Make Korean Braised Tofu
Drain Tofu and Mix Sauce – Drain the tofu from the package and pat dry with a paper towel. Cut the tofu lengthwise into 1/2″ thick pieces. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, water, gochugaru, sugar, sesame oil, sesame seed, garlic, and scallions to form the sauce.
Pan Fry and Braise Tofu – In a medium pan, heat 2 tbsp of neutral oil over medium high heat. Pan fry the tofu pieces for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, flip and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the other side is golden brown. Add the sauce and braise the tofu for 5-6 minutes over medium heat until the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly. Serve with steamed rice and enjoy!
PRO TIPS
Storage & Reheating
Korean Braised Tofu, or Dubu Jorim can be made ahead of time and kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The best part is that the sauce will only taste better as it sits, and the tofu will continue to soak up the delicious sauce. This is one of those dishes that tastes better the next day.
Some people like to eat this cold. I like to reheat this in the microwave or on a small pan over medium heat until warmed through.
If you tried this Korean Braised Tofu, or Dubu Jorim, or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim)
Ingredients
- 1 package of firm tofu, package size is 14oz
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp gochugaru
- 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 scallion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
Instructions
- Drain the tofu from the package and pat dry with a paper towel. Cut the tofu lengthwise into 1/2" thick pieces.
- In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, water, gochugaru, sugar, sesame oil, sesame seed, garlic, and scallions to form the sauce.
- In a medium pan, heat 2 tbsp of neutral oil over medium high heat. Pan fry the tofu pieces for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, flip and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the other side is golden brown.
- Add the sauce and braise the tofu for 5-6 minutes over medium heat until the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly. Serve with steamed rice and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) recipe was originally published in February 2023, and updated in December 2025.
I made this for myself as a lunch meal. I didn’t get enough water out as many pieces broke when trying to turn them or before.
However the sauce was super delicious. I served the braised tofu over rice.
It was a perfect lunch.
Hi Thom – I’m so glad you enjoyed it, but sorry to hear the pieces broke! Thanks for taking the time to comment your review.
My kids ask for this dish weekly. So easy and delicious!
This was the first recipe of yours that I tried, and I loved it. Been using it for a year and my husband likes it too. Goes well with rice.
I’m literally addicted to this recipe! Such great flavors and yet so simple to make.
Goooodddd and easy, very enjoyable nice and easy to make, but complex flavors!
Just made this tonight and it’s divine! Such a good balance of flavors and so freaking easy. This is my new go to tofu recipe now.
This was delicious! Bravo! Best tofu recipe I’ve found. I’ve been trying to incorporate more tofu in my diet but remained disappointed with the flavor until today when I tried your Korean braised tofu. I’ll be making this often. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you Brenda! 🙂
The recipe was so easy to follow and was delicious! Will be trying more of your recipes
Thanks, Noor! Please let me know how you like any others you try 🙂
Hi CJ! Found you on tiktok. Love your content. We made this today. Easy delicious and nutritious. Turned out perfect.
Thanks Don! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipes and hope you try out some others as well!
Delicious!
C J absolutely wonderful. Im not fond of Tofu but this
Did not taste like mushy Tofu. All the flavors meshed well i will make again and again..