Korean Tofu Tacos

By Alexandra Caspero on January 21, 2016

Everything I know about Korean food, I’ve learned from Bon Appetit. On second thought, that’s true for most exotic food. If it’s not Italian, then I’ve been taught by Bon Appetit, Food Network, eating or some combination of all three.

My intense love for Mexican food? Crafted by years of eating at every taco truck and taqueria in Northern California (or at least if feels that way). Isa taught me how to prepare tofu, make cashew cream and love tempeh. And my monthly subscription to Bon Appetit opened a door into the Asian world: one filled with different types of dark soy sauce, fermented black beans, daikon radish and now, gochujang sauce.

Korean Tofu Tacos! Crispy, Spicy Tofu With A Refreshing, Cooling Slaw. Must Try This Vegan Dinner Recipe! | Www.delishknowledge.com

For this month’s Recipe Redux, we were challenged to cook with a new-to-us ingredient, one that we haven’t used before. Perfect timing! I went a little crazy at the international market last month and am now the proud owner of four kinds of thai chilis, two hot curry powders, green tea soba noodles and gochujang- the Korean pepper sauce I’d been hearing so much about.

In my limited research, I knew that gochujang was a funky, spicy, slightly sweet paste with lots of umami undertones. If miso and Sriracha had a baby, it would be gochujang. At least that’s the way it seems to my limited taste buds. As a vegetarian living in the midwest, I haven’t exactly been exposed to much Korean food. But I know flavor when I taste it, and my gochujang sauce was loaded with it.

Korean Tofu Tacos! Crispy, Spicy Tofu With A Refreshing, Cooling Slaw. Must Try This Vegan Dinner Recipe! | Www.delishknowledge.com

I’m playing fast and loose with the Korean taco title, so please excuse my limited knowledge of actual Korean cuisine. In the same way I call anything with salsa Mexican or kalamata olives, Mediterranean; my food is delicious though not always politically correct.

Whatever you call these tacos, know that they are highly addicting. I ended up eating two while I was photographing them and then another a few hours later. The gochujang tofu is the star, caramelized in just enough spice to warrant the giant pile on of a quick cabbage slaw. Yes, the tofu takes a little more time to prepare than other methods but it’s worth it. Baking, marinating and then sautéing creates seared tofu nuggets that burst with flavor.

Korean Tofu Tacos! Crispy, Spicy Tofu With A Refreshing, Cooling Slaw. Must Try This Vegan Dinner Recipe! | Www.delishknowledge.com

The best part!? You don’t have to be a regular at an Asian food mart or International grocery store to get your hands on the unique sauce! When I spied a bottle of it at Walmart the other day, I knew this trend had gone mainstream. If gochujang sauce has now found it’s way to wally-world in St. Louis, you know this is bigger than a Bon Appetit cult darling.

What new ingredients are you loving!? Enjoy more recipes from fellow #reduxers below!

Korean Tofu Tacos! Crispy, Spicy Tofu With A Refreshing, Cooling Slaw. Must Try This Vegan Dinner Recipe! | Www.delishknowledge.com

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking! 

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Korean Tofu Tacos! Crispy, Spicy Tofu With A Refreshing, Cooling Slaw. Must Try This Vegan Dinner Recipe! | Www.delishknowledge.com

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Korean Tofu Tacos! Crispy, Spicy Tofu With A Refreshing, Cooling Slaw. Must Try This Vegan Dinner Recipe! | Www.delishknowledge.com

Korean Tofu Tacos

  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: dinner, healthy, recipe, vegan, vegetarian, tofu
  • Cuisine: korean

Description

Korean Tofu Tacos! Crispy, Spicy tofu with a refreshing, cooling slaw. Must try this vegan dinner recipe!


  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: dinner, healthy, recipe, vegan, vegetarian, tofu
  • Cuisine: korean
  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: dinner, healthy, recipe, vegan, vegetarian, tofu
  • Cuisine: korean
Scale

Ingredients

  • 16 oz extra firm tofu, [url:1]pressed[/url] and drained

Marinade:

  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 12 tablespoons [url:2]gochujang sauce[/url] (depends on spice level)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons mirin (can sub rice wine vinegar)

Slaw:

  • 1 tablespoon [url:3]gochujang[/url]
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 3 cups shredded napa cabbage
  • 2 scallions, minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
  • 68 Flour tortillas, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cube tofu and place in a single layer on a non-stick baking sheet and cook for 25 minutes. If you aren’t using a non-stick baking sheet, lightly spray with cooking spray. Remove from oven and place in a shallow bowl.
  2. Whisk together the ingredients for the sauce: soy sauce, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, gochujang sauce, minced garlic and mirin. Toss with cooked tofu and set aside for at least 15 minutes to marinate.
  3. Make the slaw: toss together remaining gochujang sauce, maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, cabbage, scallions, cilantro
  4. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the tofu and sauce and cook until crispy and most of the sauce is absorbed.
  5. Divide the slaw among the tortillas and top with tofu.

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Korean Tofu Tacos! Crispy, Spicy Tofu With A Refreshing, Cooling Slaw. Must Try This Vegan Dinner Recipe! | Www.delishknowledge.com

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Meet Alex Caspero

Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Chef, and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.

(21 comments) leave a comment

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    1. Greg
      August 7, 2022 AT 3:26 pm

      A new favorite. Pretty easy to make and leftover tofu was great with a salad.






      1. Alex
        August 8, 2022 AT 6:19 am

        So glad you liked it!

    2. Steph Langdon
      January 26, 2016 AT 6:43 am

      This looks great & I know I saw Korean paste on various 2016 food prediction trend lists – thanks for sharing!

    3. Steph Langdon
      January 26, 2016 AT 6:43 am

      This looks great & I know I saw Korean paste on various 2016 food prediction trend lists – thanks for sharing!

    4. Kristen
      January 23, 2016 AT 6:51 am

      (A) I love your header logo! (B) We love tofu tacos and I can’t wait to give these a try in our weekly rotation

    5. Lady Gourmet
      January 22, 2016 AT 11:06 am

      Oh these look wonderful! I have not made tofu in ages….this sounds so good, I must give it a try. xo, Catherine

    6. Deborah Davis
      January 21, 2016 AT 5:47 pm

      These look so good! Thanks for an excuse to hit up one of the Asian markets in town this weekend. 😉

      1. Alex @ DelishKnowledge
        January 22, 2016 AT 6:05 am

        Thanks Debbie! Yes- I love Asian markets, I can find the best stuff there! 🙂 Enjoy!

    7. Jenny D
      January 21, 2016 AT 4:46 pm

      If I can find that sauce in the closest Wal-Mart (VT /NH) border, total hicksville, then that will really be something! I’m always searching around for new tofu marinating ideas – this sounds awesome :-).

    8. Elana @ The Inventive Vegetari
      January 21, 2016 AT 3:03 pm

      Ooooh, I’m always looking for new ways to dress up my tofu. This looks so delicious! Thank you for sharing!

      1. Alex @ DelishKnowledge
        January 22, 2016 AT 6:06 am

        Thanks Elana! Whatever marinade you use- this is my favorite way of preparing tofu. It’s crispy, a little creamy and packed with flavor!

    9. Rebecca @ Strength & Sunshine
      January 21, 2016 AT 2:01 pm

      O wow! I need to get that sauce!

    10. Rebecca @ Strength & Sunshine
      January 21, 2016 AT 2:01 pm

      O wow! I need to get that sauce!

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