Bulgogi-Style Tofu Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

AH

To get the tofu extra crispy, after marinading, toss in 2-3tbsp cornstarch and either roast or airfry at 400 for 15-17 min.

DG

Here’s the proportions that I used, which fits my preferred flavor palate-1/4 cup soy sauce2 tbsp gochujang2 tbsp brown sugar1 tbsp canola oil1/2 tsp sesame oil1 clove of garlic1 inch gingerSesame seeds sprinkled in

Laura S.

For those wanting recipe amounts, in the third sentence of the introduction the word bulgogi is underlined. This is a link to a marinade recipe. Here Sam uses tofu instead of the beef and leaves out the Asian pear and onion. This recipe is what I used for amounts. Enjoy!

Desi1999

Has anyone ever put tofu in the freezer overnight?The ice crystals that form when frozen -thaw- and extract the water from within the tofu. You can squeeze the tofu like a sponge and it will expel the majority of the water.

c

I regularly cook tofu slabs in the air fryer. Coated w/seasoned panko, 400F for about 10 minutes, flip them, and another 10 minutes.Crunchy and creamy at the same time

Eden

I read in notes for another recipe about microwaving tofu to get the water out. I just tried it! I put slices of tofu on high in the microwave for about 4 minutes and it squeezed out a lot of water so no pressing required.

Lisa Kav

This was lovely. I made a large batch of marinade and divided it between tofu and shrimp to please multiple eating styles. Served in butter lettuce cups over mango quinoa with cilantro. Served with kimchi and sriracha Mayo, and spring rolls. Chilled soju.

Astigmatic Owl

Here’s the proportions that I used, which fits my preferred flavor palate-1/4 cup soy sauce2 tbsp gochujang2 tbsp brown sugar1 tbsp canola oil1/2 tsp sesame oil1 clove of garlic1 inch gingerSesame seeds sprinkled in

Melissa

I need to know how much to add of each ingredient, or at least a ballpark...Help?

DF

Cooked it at 400 on top of a rack nested on a cookie sheet, 15 mins then turned for another 15. Couldn’t stop eating them.

Ellen

Definitely toss with cornstarch. Then use the marinade as a sauce for stir-fried veggies brightened with oj, and thickened with cornstarch. This is a keeper!!

Jaime

MG I use to cook my tofu in the oven however I now only use my air fryer I absolutely love the crispiness it provides as well as it being done a lot faster. I set mine to the poultry setting, It seems to come out the most crispy on that one

Jack

I also shredded some carrots on a box grater which added a nice bit of texture.My marinade recipe -- 4 garlic cloves grated1 inch ginger grated1 scallion chopped2 tbsp soy sauce1 tbsp sesame oil1 tbsp brown sugar1/2 tsp black pepper1/2 tsp sesame seeds

MG

Anyone try this in an air fryer?

Anne

To get the tofu extra crispy, after marinading, toss in 2-3tbsp cornstarch and either roast or airfry at 400 for 15-17 min.For those wanting recipe amounts, in the third sentence of the introduction the word bulgogi is underlined. This is a link to a marinade recipe. Here Sam uses tofu instead of the beef and leaves out the Asian pear and onion. This recipe is what I used for amounts. Enjoy!

Kate

Roasted eggplant and possibly soy curls (like unprocessed tofu) in place of tofu. Terrific.

Brenda

Sauce:which fits my preferred flavor palate-1/4 cup soy sauce2 tbsp gochujang1 tbsp brown sugar1 Tbsp canola oil1 tbsp sesame oil3 clove of garlic-3 “cloves” Trader Joe’s garlic3 cubes ginger Trader Joe’s Doubled above recipe (heavy on the gochujang) and then Marinaded for 3 hours. Cooked in the air frier 3 batches, each for 7-10 min at max heat (390°)Served with asparagus made with black pepper tofu and asparagus recipe

zippy

Made this with tempeh - very good.

Mark Lynn

Made this for dinner tonight. Easy, delicious, and fun to eat. Romantic even. Licking of fingers. Smacking of lips. Sauteed a Bosc pear in the pan after the tofu. Added and reduced the marinade to get the pears brown and sticky. A sprinkle to sesame seeds and scallions. Eaten with lettuce cups and rice stir fried with green peas, black garlic, and scrambled egg. Pickled ginger on the side.

Tris

Just pointing out this would work equally well with soy curls, which don’t have all the extra ingredients tofu has. They’re on Amazon. I make something similar to this with roasted eggplant and soy curls (chopped into short lengths. Delicious!

Cathleen

Oh wow, this was good. Best tofu marinade ever. We didn’t measure anything, baked it at 425 and served it on lightly sautéed broccoli, bok choy and carrot.

S. Rennie

Couldn't stop eating these even before they reached the oven! So quick and easy and addictive!

Silvia R.

Buy Wildwood organic high protein super firm tofu. Doesn't need pressing, very solid, keeps its shape. Good for grilling.

sara

I cannot view this recipe. There is an ad box that won’t go away. It has been this way for three days. I’ve updated the app, closed it and reopened it… other recipes open as normal, Just not this one.

LLR

There is no recipe. The first line says it's a "no-recipe" recipe. It specifically states that the reader is supposed to use the basic ingredients to improvise a marinade for bulgogi tofu, and then it suggests which ingredients to use. There are no measurements or instructions other than what's in the description.

marissa

Incredible. I brushed the marinated tofu (only did 30 m marinade and next time will try longer bc WOW) with a little extra cornstarch before broiling high for 25 m to crisp it. Served over rice fluffed with sesame oil and a splash of soy. Green onions too. Side of quick pickled cucumbers using seasoned rice vinegar sugar and red pepper. Toasted sesame seeds and put em over everything. The tofu was crisp and the flavor divine. Definitely a new favorite.

Mienna

I thought the flavor of this was delicious, even omitting the sesame because of a food allergy. I did find that I wanted something creamy on top--maybe some kewpie mayo next time.

booklover

How about an actual recipe? Air Fryer instructions would be even better. I often have to change online recipes to accommodate our food allergies, but without the original proportions it’s not at all useful.

Lisa Pizza

I can only see a photo and notes, ingredients and preparation instructions are not populating.

Margaret

Does anyone else have trouble extracting liquid from tofu? I've followed many tips and techniques but each time I end up with crumbly bits instead of a solid slab.

Lynn

Wrap a firm block in a clean flour bag towel, put a cast iron frying pan on top for an hour. Unwrap and slice in 1/2 inch slices across the short side. Works for me every time.

Smariel

Followed others’ advice and tossed in corn starch. Was a gooey mess going jnto the oven but turned out perfectly crisp! Served over a bed of rice with arugula, kimchi, cilantro and a dash of lime juice. Used some of the leftover sauce and this is a fantastic dinner.

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Bulgogi-Style Tofu Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why does bulgogi taste so good? ›

The beef is marinated in a blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, onion, garlic, ginger, sugar, asian pear, and black pepper. It's marinated for several hours which flavors and tenderizes the meat. The flavor of bulgogi is savory, salty and sweet.

What is vegan bulgogi made of? ›

You have a few options when making a vegan bulgogi recipe. Swap the real meat for vegan ground beef, soy curls, jackfruit, mushrooms, or anything else you can think of! The real star is the bulgogi sauce, which is where this traditional dish gets its signature savory, salty, warm, and sweet flavors.

What meats can you use for bulgogi? ›

Which Cuts of Meat Pair Best With Bulgogi Sauce? If it's your first time making beef bulgogi, you can use many different cuts of beef. Try cuts like skirt steak, flank steak, ribeye, top sirloin, or short ribs.

What are the three types of bulgogi? ›

There are three types of bulgogi that are typically served at restaurants today – Gwangyang-style of South Jeolla Province, Eonyang-style of South Gyeongsang Province and last but not least, the Seoul-style.

Why do Koreans eat bulgogi? ›

From 1910 to 1945, Korea was under Japanese rule, and serious beef shortages swept the nation. As a result, beef prices soared, and the prominence of the bulgogi dish waned. By the 1990s, however, the dish's popularity rebounded. It is collectively known as one of the most popular foods in Korea today.

How is Trader Joe's vegan bulgogi made? ›

The fire “meat” in this case is not meat at all. Instead, it's 100% Beefless textured soy protein. Even so, the marinade is quite traditional, made by our Korean supplier (in the Republic of Korea) using common bulgogi- sauce ingredients, such as soy sauce, pear puree, garlic, ginger, green onions, and sugar.

Why is bulgogi so chewy? ›

The grain is essentially the muscle fibers running through the meat. You want to cut perpendicular to the muscle fibers so they become as short as possible as opposed to long muscle fibers. Long muscle fibers will give you chewy, rubbery tough meat – so cut AGAINST the grain. Butcher's help.

Is Korean bulgogi healthy? ›

It's packed to the rafters with veggies, yet still feels naughty thanks to the sweet n' salty bulgogi sauce. It's pretty much perfect in terms of “healthy-ish comfort food”.

What happens if you don't drain tofu before cooking? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

Do you need to rinse tofu? ›

She encourages people to treat tofu in a similar manner to canned beans, which we are taught to drain and rinse before using. She finds that doing so can help eliminate any off-flavors from preservatives in the water for liquid-packed tofu.

Do I need to soak tofu before cooking? ›

Many cooking experts champion a quick soak as a way to give the protein more texture and flavor. “Simmering cubed tofu in salted water for 60 seconds pulls out excess moisture and tightens the proteins on its surface,” Lukas Volger told Bon Appétit in 2021.

What's bulgogi sauce made of? ›

It typically consists of soy sauce, sugar, mirin (sweet rice wine), sesame oil, garlic, and green onions, along with other ingredients such as ginger, pear juice, or rice wine vinegar. The sauce is used to flavor and tenderize thinly sliced beef that is then grilled, pan-fried, or stir-fried.

How do Koreans eat bulgogi? ›

Bulgogi is often served over or with a side of rice and accompanied by various side dishes such as egg soup and kimchi (fermented cabbage).

How long should you marinate bulgogi? ›

Place the meat and vegetables in a large bowl. Add the marinade and toss gently to combine everything well. Marinate the meat for 30 minutes to an hour, up to overnight. Grilling: Grill the meat on a charcoal or gas grill or pan fry in a skillet over high heat until slightly caramelized.

What is bulgogi supposed to taste like? ›

Beef Bulgogi is crazy tender and juicy seeping with mildly sweet, savory, smoky flavors from the soy, sesame, garlic, ginger marinade. It is intensely flavorful, and tantalizingly delicious. This Bulgogi cooks super fast, so once your steak is done marinating, it's 15 minutes to dinner!

Why do people like bulgogi? ›

It's also known as a Korean Grilled BBQ. This meal is a must-try for everyone visiting Korea. Because of its distinctive colour and authentic flavour, Bulgogi has gained popularity all over the world! It is no surprise that it's one of the country's most popular culinary products.

Is bulgogi healthy for you? ›

From a nutritional point of view, Bulgogi enjoys an excellent reputation: grilled or burned beef steak in a pan does not require the use of additional fat and is a source par excellence of noble proteins, vitamins PP and B12, while the ginger present in marination speeds up the digestion process as well as fighting ...

Why does Korean BBQ taste so good? ›

Korean BBQ is also known for its distinctly sweet taste, calling for ingredients like soy sauce, sugar, garlic, sesame and oil. For the ultra-adventurous, some recipes use pear and honey for an even more sophisticated flavor profile.

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