Dubu (Tofu in Korean) Kimchi is steamed tofu with stir-fried kimchi and pork, which tastes savory, spicy, and has a kick of acidity! You can make this easy protein packed meal in less than 15 minutes. The tofu absorbs the flavors of the kimchi, resulting in a harmonious blend of soft and creamy textures.
In Korea, the steamed tofu is served with kimchi and pork. This meal is usually eaten with soju and drinks (bar food). If you don’t want to serve with alcohol, you can still enjoy as an easy dinner meal served with white rice. If you want an ultimate Korean feast, I suggest to serve with Fermented Soybean Paste Stew, LA Galbi (Korean Short Ribs), and Steamed Egg. You can also pair it with some Korean Pork Bulgogi for a tasty combo.
Want to learn how to cook more tasty Korean dishes at home? Check out How to Make Authentic Korean Meals at Home for a complete guide!
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Ingredients
Here’s a look at what you need to make Dubu Kimchi at home. The highlights are here but the full ingredient list and quantities of each are in the recipe card.
- Kimchi – Use your old kimchi in the fridge! Sour and well fermented kimchi is great for this dish. When cooked down, it’s less acidic and sour. The flavor tastes deep and aromatic!
- Pork belly – The pork belly is super tender and the fat provides lots of flavor to the kimchi when stir fried!
- Garlic – used in the stir fry for extra fragrant flavor. It helps the pork to be less gamey as well!
- Gochujang – Korean red pepper paste is the base of the kimchi and pork stir fry. It’s a must-have for this recipe so the dish tastes salty, spicy and a little sweet. You can find this in more Korean grocery stores like H-Mart.
- Soy sauce – provides savoriness to the dish. Depending on the kimchi you use, you may need to adjust to your own tasteto ensure that the dish is not too salty.
- Honey – the sweetness helps contrast the acidity of the kimchi and balances the spiciness of the gochujang.
- Firm tofu – when steamed or boiled, the tofu has less of a soybean taste. The soft and creamy tofu complements the savory flavor of the stir-fried kimchi and pork.
- Green onions – this is needed to add some freshness to your dish.
- Sesame oil – garnish with oil for an extra creaminess.
Substitutions and Variations
- Make it meatless – Stir fry the kimchi with some mushrooms (or omit entirely!) instead. It’s still really flavorful and delicious!
- Substitute the pork with beef or chicken (make sure it’s sliced thinly).
- Add some more white onion or green onions for more flavor!
Instructions
Step 1: Heat pan to medium heat. Add avocado oil and then your sliced pork belly. Add some salt and pepper to taste (not too much!).
Step 2: Next, add garlic and kimchi. Stir fry for 1-2 minutes. Then, add gochujang, soy sauce and honey. Mix well and cook for another minute.
Step 3. In a pot, add water and boil. When water starts boiling, add half block tofu inside for 2-3 minutes.
Step 4. Slice tofu in 1 inch slices. Garnish the stir fried kimchi and pork with sesame seeds and sesame oil.
Recipe FAQs
Add kimchi in the center of the plate with green onions. Garnish with sesame seeds. Add the sliced tofu on the outside for beautiful presentation. You can eat the tofu kimchi with Spicy Korean Braised Short Ribs (Galbi Jjim), seaweed or Kimchi Fried Rice with Cheese for some umami and crispy flavor! Hope you enjoy!
You can find kimchi in the asian or refrigerated section of an American grocery (near pickled vegetables). In Korean grocery stores, there’s an aisle dedicated to kimchi near the produce section. Costco even has kimchi for sale!
Expert Tips
- Boil the tofu so it’s nice and warm. It also eliminates some of the soybean odor and tastes more clean. It’s also softer when boiled or steamed.
- Use old kimchi for the recipe. The more sour and fermented the kimchi is, the more fragrant this dish will be. The honey will balance out the super sour flavor.
- Use authentic Gochujang (Korean Red Pepper Paste) for when stir frying the kimchi and pork to get authentic flavor. Substituting with other hot sauces like sriracha will not taste the same. It also might not mix well with the kimchi flavor.
Check out more delicious appetizers:
- Kimchi Udon – spicy and chewy noodles mixed with a kimchi sauce and a fried egg.
- Easy Ox Bone Soup – super fragrant beef noodle soup made in less than 20 minutes!
- Udon Soup – comforting fish cake soup with udon noodles.
Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Dubu Kimchi (Stir Fry Kimchi with Pork)
Ingredients
- 1 green onion sliced
- 1 garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- ½ pound pork belly sliced
- 1 cup kimchi (the more sour, the better!)
- 1 teaspoon gochujang
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ block firm tofu
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil for garnish
- toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Slice green onions and mince garlic.
- Heat pan to medium heat. Add avocado oil and then add your sliced pork belly. Add some salt and pepper to taste (not too much!).
- Step 2: Next, add garlic and kimchi. Stir fry for 1-2 minutes. Then, add gochujang, soy sauce and honey. Mix well and cook for another minute.
- In a pot, add water and boil. When water starts boiling, add half block tofu inside for 2-3 minutes.
- Slice tofu in 1 inch slices. Garnish the stir fried kimchi and pork with sesame seeds and sesame oil.
Video
@cookwithdana make 10 minute dubu (tofu) kimchi with me 🥰 #tofu #kimchi #easyrecipe
♬ Acoustic sound / gentle, everyday, guitar, anime(1158534) – Meat Pie 25
Notes
- Boil the tofu so it’s nice and warm. It also eliminates some of the soybean odor and tastes more clean. It’s also softer when boiled or steamed.
- Use old kimchi for the recipe. The more sour and fermented the kimchi is, the more fragrant this dish will be. The honey will balance out the super sour flavor.
- Use authentic Gochujang (Korean Red Pepper Paste) for when stir frying the kimchi and pork to get authentic flavor. Substituting with other hot sauces like sriracha will not taste the same. It also might not mix well with the kimchi flavor.
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