Korean Shepherd's Purse Tofu Stir-fry
Quick answer
Naengi-dubu-bokkeum is a spring-seasonal Korean stir-fry that pairs shepherd's purse - a wild herb with a distinctive earthy bitterness - with cubed firm tofu in perilla...
What makes this special
- Naengi-dubu-bokkeum pairs seared tofu with the earthy, bitter aroma of spring shepherd's purse.
- Spring shepherd's purse heated just 2 minutes to wilt slightly while preserving bitter aroma
- Tofu pan-fried in perilla oil 3 minutes to hold its shape during tossing
Key ingredients
Core cooking flow
- 1 Pat 300 g firm tofu very dry, then cut it into 1.5 cm cubes.
- 2 Wash 120 g shepherd's purse carefully around the roots, trim any tough parts...
- 3 Heat a pan over medium heat, add half of the perilla oil, and spread the tofu in one layer.
Naengi-dubu-bokkeum is a spring-seasonal Korean stir-fry that pairs shepherd's purse - a wild herb with a distinctive earthy bitterness - with cubed firm tofu in perilla oil and soy sauce. The tofu is pan-seared until golden to build a crust, then set aside while onion and garlic cook in the same pan before soy sauces go in. The tofu returns along with the cleaned, trimmed shepherd's purse, which needs only two minutes of gentle tossing to wilt without losing its herbal bite. A final drizzle of perilla oil and a pinch of toasted sesame seeds layer nuttiness over the herb's green, slightly bitter fragrance.
Instructions
Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.
- 1Prep
Pat 300 g firm tofu very dry, then cut it into 1.5 cm cubes.
Wrap the cubes in paper towels for 5 minutes so the surface moisture comes off and the tofu browns instead of steaming.
- 2Prep
Wash 120 g shepherd's purse carefully around the roots, trim any tough parts, and cut it into 4 cm lengths.
Thinly slice 80 g onion so it softens quickly in the pan.
- 3Control
Heat a pan over medium heat, add half of the perilla oil, and spread the tofu in one layer.
Turn the cubes gently for about 3 minutes, until several sides are lightly golden, then set them aside.
- 4Control
In the same pan, add the onion and 1 tsp minced garlic, then stir-fry over medium heat for 1 minute.
When the onion turns slightly translucent, add 1.5 tbsp soy sauce and 0.5 tbsp soup soy sauce.
- 5Control
Return the seared tofu to the pan and add the shepherd's purse.
Toss by lifting from the bottom with a spatula, then cook over medium heat for only 2 minutes, stopping when the greens just begin to wilt.
- 6Finish
Turn off the heat, add the remaining perilla oil and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds, and fold everything together lightly.
Transfer to a plate right away so the tofu stays intact, and serve while warm.
After the steps
Pick a recipe that fits this dish.
Continue with shared ingredients, meal pairings, or a similar method.
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