This saucy Soy and Scallion Fried Tofu is super flavorful, with its crispy, golden tofu cubes enveloped in a savory and slightly sweet sauce, and vibrant notes of scallions as a topping. You can serve it over white rice or as a dish on its own, and this dish even caters to vegetarians and vegans!
At the heart of this dish lies the humble tofu, a blank canvas ready to absorb and enhance the flavors of its surroundings. Cut into bite-sized cubes and coated with a thin layer of corn flour, this not only adds a crispy texture, but also acts as a barrier to prevent the tofu from becoming overly mushy during the cooking process.
The sauce is a harmonious blend of Shaoxing wine, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and water. Each component contributes to a symphony of flavors, with the Shaoxing wine lending depth, the oyster sauce offering an umami richness, and the soy sauces providing the signature savory notes. A touch of sugar adds a hint of sweetness, while cornstarch thickens the sauce to a luscious consistency that clings perfectly to the tofu.
Scallions, with their mild onion-like flavor and vibrant green hue, play a pivotal role in this dish. Chopped scallions are sautéed to release their aromatic essence, infusing every bite with a delightful freshness. They’re not just a garnish; they’re a key player in the overall taste profile, adding a subtle sharpness that complements the richness of the sauce.
In a hot pan with a generous amount of vegetable oil, the tofu cubes are transformed into golden-brown, crispy nuggets of joy. This process takes about 4-5 minutes, allowing the exterior to become delightfully crunchy while the interior remains soft and creamy.
The pièce de résistance occurs when all the elements come together. After removing the tofu from the pan, the sautéed scallions and garlic join the party. Then, the sauce is introduced and the tofu returns to the skillet, where it’s gently coated with the sauce, allowing each piece to soak up the savory goodness.
This Soy and Scallion Fried Tofu is so flavorful that it can be a main dish all on its own, with the delicious sauce likely overshadowing most other dishes! So let’s get to it!
Watch How To Make It
Soy and Scallion Fried Tofu
Ingredients
- 4 blocks firm tofu
- 3 tbsp corn flour
- 3 scallions
Sauce
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2 cup water
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by chopping the garlic and spring onion.
- Cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes. Then dry off the tofu by wrapping it with paper towels to remove excess water. Coat the tofu with corn flour, salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, prepare the sauce by mixing together light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, sugar, cornstarch and water. Set the sauce aside.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add in the tofu cubes and cook until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes. Remove the tofu from the skillet and set it aside. Pour away excess oil.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped scallions (white parts) and garlic, then sauté them for about 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the sauce mixture and cook till it thickens. Pour in the tofu and stir gently to coat everything evenly.
- Garnish with scallions (green parts). Remove from heat and serve!