Korean Stuffed Tofu Steam

Quick answer

Total time: 45 min
Level: Medium
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients: 9

About this dish

Dubu-seon is a traditional Korean court dish in which pressed and crumbled firm tofu is shaped around a seasoned filling of ground beef, rehydrated shiitake mushrooms, and carrot, then steamed until the filling sets.

Squeezing out excess moisture from the tofu before shaping is essential - too much water causes the exterior to collapse during steaming and prevents the filling from binding properly. The filling is seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, minced scallion, and garlic so that the aromatics infuse into the surrounding tofu while it cooks. A garnish of julienned egg jidan, thin shreds of red chili, and water parsley is placed on top before serving, giving the otherwise pale dish a carefully composed color contrast that reflects its palace-cuisine origins. A dipping sauce of soy sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of vinegar accompanies the dish and complements its mild, clean flavor. Dubu-seon provides a high-protein, vegetable-rich bite in a single piece, making it suitable as a banchan or as a light accompaniment to drinks.

Ingredients

servings

IngredientAmountUnit

firm tofu400 gg

ground beef120 gg

shiitake mushrooms60 gg

carrot50 gg

green onion30 gg

soy sauce2 tbsptbsp

sesame oil1 tbsptbsp

minced garlic1 tsptsp

starch1 tbsptbsp

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Instructions

Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.

6 steps

1

Prep

Cut 400 g firm tofu into 4 equal blocks, scoop a 1 cm cavity in the center of each with a spoon, then pat dry thoroughly.
2

Prep

Combine the scooped tofu crumbs, 120 g ground beef, 60 g finely chopped shiitake, 50 g finely chopped carrot, and 30 g chopped green onion in one bowl.
3

Season

Add 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp minced garlic, and 1 tbsp starch, then knead by hand until the filling holds together.
4

Control

Fill each tofu cavity generously, mounding the filling slightly above the surface, then steam over medium heat for 12-15 minutes.
5

Finish

Simmer the remaining 1 tbsp soy sauce with 2 tbsp water in a small pot until just warmed through as a light finishing sauce.
6

Finish

Plate the steamed tofu seon and spoon the light sauce over each piece.

Serve warm.

Practical Cooking Checks

The cues that matter most while cooking.

Key technique: Dubu-seon serves a court dish of pressed tofu stuffed with seasoned beef and shiitake.
Finish cue: Plate the steamed tofu seon and spoon the light sauce over each piece.