How to make spicy soft tofu stew

What kind of food is soft tofu stew?

Soft tofu stew is a representative Korean stew made by boiling soft soft tofu in a spicy broth and adding clams, seafood, meat, eggs, etc. The sight of it bubbling in an earthen pot is impressive, and it is filling when eaten with rice, making it a menu item that foreigners often try at Korean restaurants.

If you search for soft tofu stew in 10,000 Recipes, you will find various methods such as clam soft tofu stew, seafood soft tofu stew, pork soft tofu stew, and clear soft tofu stew. Today, we have compiled an easy way to create a deep flavor at home using the most basic style of clam soft tofu stew.

Ingredients Preparation

For 2 servings, prepare 1 bag of soft tofu, a handful of clams, 1 egg, zucchini, onion, green onion, mushroom, minced garlic, red pepper powder, soy sauce or dark soy sauce, sesame oil, and anchovy kelp broth. It is convenient to use peeled clams, and if you don't have any, you can also add minced pork or shrimp.

To give the soup a clean taste, it is better to use anchovy kelp broth rather than just water. If the spiciness is too much for you, reduce the amount of red pepper powder and add an egg at the end to make it milder. It is much more comfortable.

Chili oil and broth

Put sesame oil in a pot or earthen pot and fry green onion, minced garlic, and red pepper powder over low heat until fragrant. At this time, if the heat is too strong, the red pepper powder will burn and taste bitter, so it is important to slowly release the red oil. Stir-frying onions, zucchini, and mushrooms together adds sweetness and umami.

When the ingredients are slightly wilted, pour in the broth and season with soy sauce. If you add clams and boil them until their mouths open, the cool taste will seep into the soup.

Add soft tofu and boil

Scoop the soft tofu into large pieces with a spoon or cut it into bags and gently add it. If you stir too much, the soft tofu will break into small pieces, so it is best to lightly trim the edges while the soup is boiling. Once it boils, adjust the seasoning to the desired level with salt or soy sauce.

Lastly, put the egg in the center and top with the green onions. If you leave the yolk slightly soft rather than cooking it completely, the savory taste will come out when mixed with soup and rice.

Tips for eating deliciously

Soft tofu stew is best enjoyed when it is hot and served with a little soft tofu and broth on top of rice. Adding kimchi, seaweed, and vegetable side dishes adds to the feel of a Korean home-cooked meal. If you like spicy food, you can add a little Cheongyang pepper. If you want a milder taste, you can reduce the amount of red pepper powder and boil it like a clear soft tofu stew.

When introducing it to foreigners, it is easier to explain it as “spicy Korean-style soft tofu stew.” The combination of soft tofu, hot broth, and rice makes it a great meal to have while traveling in Korea.

Tips for ordering at a restaurant

In Korean restaurants, soft tofu stew is served very hot, so it is better to stir it once or twice to remove steam rather than eating it right away. If you are worried about the spiciness, ask for less spiciness when ordering or add an egg to make the soup milder to reduce the burden.

When boiling at home, you can reheat and eat the leftover stew, but the longer you boil soft tofu, the less soft its texture becomes. If possible, boil only as much as you want, and the next time you eat it, add a little soft tofu and boil it again to make it more delicious.