Authentic Mapo Tofu – A Sichuan Classic (VIDEO)

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Dec 09, 2022, Updated Apr 19, 2024

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Mapo Tofu is a classic Sichuan dish that is a combination of spicy, mouth-numbingly tingly, and savory meat sauce cooked with cubes of tofu – there’s nothing like it and it’s one of the most delicious dishes in the world! I wanted to share an authentic version that is still easily replicated at home – read on and watch my video for all of my key tips for the best Mapo Tofu!

How to Pick the Right Type of Tofu

When you go to any Asian grocery, you will notice there are many types of tofus in the refrigerated (and shelf-staple) section. Today, I’m going to quickly review the different types of tofu and when they should be used.

The reason why I am doing this is because you should pick the tofu that works best for you. Restaurants use different levels of firmness for their Mapo Tofu, so there is no right or wrong answer!

Silken or Soft Tofu

This type of tofu has the most water content and will be the softest of the varieties you’ll find in your grocery store.
It’s silky and very pliable due to this high water content, similar to the consistency of a soft cheese.
I like to use this tofu in my Chinese Silken Tofu.

Regular (Medium) Tofu

Regular tofu is typically best for soups and stews. It is sometimes labeled as “medium” firmness.
You want to use this tofu when you want a tofu that is soft enough to soak up sauce or braising liquid, but firm enough to not fall apart.

Firm or Extra Firm Tofu

This is the tofu I recommend you use for Mapo Tofu because I want my tofu to maintain its shape in my Mapo Tofu. However, if you prefer a softer texture, you can use soft or medium tofu. Choose to your own preference!
Firm or extra firm tofu is the variety with the least amount of water content. The tofu is dense, similar to the consistency of meat, and is my favorite to use in recipes, as it holds up very well.
I love braising it in in dishes like Korean Braised Tofu.
It’s also great for frying, like in Spicy Honey Garlic Tofu or Salt and Pepper Tofu.

Ingredients

Firm Tofu – I like to cut them into 1″ or even 1/2″ cubes; other recipes may recommend cutting into smaller or larger cubes or rectangles. This is up to you! I like small cubes because it allows for a more even ratio of tofu to sauce.
Ground Pork – If you cannot eat pork, you can substitute with dark meat ground turkey or chicken. If you want to make this a vegetarian Mapo Tofu, you can skip meat altogether!
Doubanjiang – see note below
Garlic
Ginger
chili oil – I like to use my homemade chili oil! I get asked all the time what brand of chili oil is my favorite and I always say – my own!
- Making your own chili oil ensures that you can control for the quality of the ingredients, as well as customize to your liking. If you’re interested to making chili oil at home, definitely give my recipe a try!
Sichuan Peppercorn – Sichuan peppercorns are easier to find now and are unique to Sichuan cooking due to their tingling spice! I used to only buy them at my local Chinese grocery (99 Ranch) but now they are even available on Amazon!
- I highly recommend grounding these by hand – I do it in my mortar and pestle.
- The fresher the peppercorns, the better your Mapo Tofu will taste.

Sugar
MSG – as you know by now, I love to use MSG in moderation as a flavor enhancer. This is always optional.
Dark soy sauce – Dark soy sauce is thicker, darker, and sweeter (as well as has a higher sodium content) than regular soy sauce. If you do not have dark soy sauce on hand, you can sub with oyster sauce.
Shaoxing wine – This is a Chinese cooking wine and one of my recommended Chinese pantry staples! I purchase mine from my local Asian grocery (99 Ranch).
- If you cannot find shaoxing wine, the closest substitute would be cooking sherry.
- If you cannot use alcohol, I would use a little bit of chicken stock.
Chicken stock
Cornstarch + Water – Cornstarch slurry is used in a lot of Asian cooking to thicken sauces and soups. A slurry means a mixture of liquid (usually water) and a thickening agent (in this case, cornstarch).
- TIP: Make sure to re-mix your cornstarch slurry right before using it.
Salt to taste

Want super crispy tofu? Make Air Fryer Tofu instead!

Key Tip

Doubanjiang

Doubanjiang is a spicy Chinese bean paste that is one of the main components to this dish. I’m including a photo of the one I like by Lee Kum Kee, so you know what to look for when you’re at the grocery store.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend a substitution.

I get mine from any of the local Asian grocery stores I visit (99 Ranch, H Mart, or even Mitsuwa). You can also purchase this from Amazon.

Mapo Tofu: Recipe Instructions

1. Prepare the Tofu

Drain the tofu from the package and then cut into 1″ cubes. You can cut these larger or smaller based on your own preference.

Once your tofu is cubed, fill a medium sized pot with water and add salt. Bring to a boil and blanch your tofu for about 2 minutes. This will help firm up the tofu, creating better texture and allowing the tofu to soak up all the delicious Mapo Tofusauce by the end.

Once the tofu is blanched, drain and set it aside.

2. Brown the Ground Pork

If you are making a vegetarian Mapo Tofu you can skip this step!

In a large nonstick pan or wok, add 2 tbsp of neutral oil over high heat and brown the ground pork, until golden brown and crispy. The key here is to cook out all the water content in the pork and let the fat render out, which will then crisp up the pork very nicely, resulting in a better dish overall.

This process will take about 3-5 minutes depending on your stove.

Ground pork with garlic and ginger in a wok

3. Make the Meat and Sauce Mixture

When the ground pork is browned, add minced garlic, minced ginger, and 2 tbsp of Doubanjiang, or Chinese chili bean paste.

Mix to incorporate; continue cooking on medium high heat for 2 minutes, or until the aromatics have softened and the chili paste has been cooked out of the Mapo Tofusauce.

Add the chili oil to the pork and sauce mixture and stir to combine.

Next, add 2 cups of high quality chicken stock, along with sugar, msg, dark soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and ground Sichuan peppercorns. Mix well and increase the heat to high; bring the Mapo Tofu sauce to a boil.

4. Add the Tofu and Cornstarch Slurry

Once the meat and sauce mixture is boiling, add the blanched tofu and simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes. This is to let the tofu soak up all of the flavors of the mixture.

Finally, give your cornstarch slurry a final mix before adding to the wok. Stir until the sauce has thickened to about the consistency of a gravy.

If the Mapo Tofu sauce is too watery, add more cornstarch slurry.
If the Mapo Tofu sauce is too thick, thin the sauce out with more chicken stock.

Serve with steamed rice and enjoy!

PRO TIPS

Expert Tips for an Authentic Mapo Tofu

Picking the Right Tofu

Restaurants use different levels of firmness for their Mapo Tofu, so there is no right or wrong answer – pick the right tofu for YOUR preference.

I recommend using firm or extra firm tofu – I like my tofu to maintain its shape while cooking in the Mapo Tofu.
If you prefer a softer texture, go with silken or soft tofu. Note that the tofu will likely fall apart.
Medium tofu is a great compromise if you want a tofu that is softer but holds up in the Mapo Tofu.

Blanch Your Tofu

This is OPTIONAL but I like to blanch my tofu after cubing it. Blanching my tofu helps firm it up even further, which gives it a nicer texture when cooked in the Mapo Tofusauce. You can skip this if you want!

Getting the Mapo Tofu Sauce to the Right Consistency

If you are almost done cooking your Mapo Tofu but do not think it’s the right consistency, follow these two tips:

If the Mapo Tofu sauce is too watery, add more cornstarch slurry.
If the Mapo Tofu sauce is too thick, thin the sauce out with more chicken stock.

Do I need a Wok to cook Mapo Tofu?

By now, you know that I LOVE cooking with my wok! It is my #1 most recommended kitchen tool, as I believe it is perfect for high-heat cooking and results in restaurant quality Chinese food! However, I do NOT believe you need to cook this in a wok. Mapo Tofu will cook just as well in a large pan, pot, or heavy bottomed dutch oven.

However – if you want to cook this in a wok and it is your first time, make sure to read my “How To Season a Wok” post. There is a video included that shows exactly how to season your brand new wok and how to maintain it so it lasts for years.

Storage and Reheating

Mapo Tofu can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to develop and meld together, so you may find that the leftovers taste even better than when it was fresh!

You can reheat this in the microwave or in a pan or pot over medium heat. If it’s too thick, add a little bit of chicken stock to loosen it up to your desired consistency.

What to Serve with Mapo Tofu

I would eat Mapo Tofu with a bowl of steamed rice and vegetables that will help cool the mouth-numbing spice of this dish! Cucumbers would be the perfect side dish – make my Smashed Cucumber Salad or copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad.

If you want to make a dish that has a similar flavor profile, make the best Dan Dan Noodles you’ll ever have!

If you tried this Mapo Tofu or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!

Authentic Mapo Tofu – A Sichuan Classic (VIDEO)

Watch the Mapo Tofu Recipe Video Below!

Table of Contents

How to Pick the Right Type of Tofu

Ingredients

Doubanjiang