Chinese Cuisine
Pan-Fried Tofu with Egg and Bell Peppers
Crispy pan-fried tofu coated with egg and cornstarch, then stir-fried with colorful bell peppers and a savory sauce. A simple home-style dish with a golden exterior and tender interior.
- Total
- 10 minutes
Quick Recipe Summary
- Cuisine
- Chinese
- Category
- Chinese Cuisine
- Method
- Stir-fry
- Total Time
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Main Ingredient
- Firm Tofu
Introduction
Crispy pan-fried tofu coated with egg and cornstarch, then stir-fried with colorful bell peppers and a savory sauce. A simple home-style dish with a golden exterior and tender interior.
This Pan-Fried Tofu with Egg and Bell Peppers recipe is written for Chinese home cooking, with attention to timing, texture, and the small cues that make the method easier to follow. Read through the ingredient notes and cooking tips before you start so the steps feel familiar once the pan, steamer, or pot is hot.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 10 minutes, so it can fit into a busy cooking day.
- Breaks the method into manageable steps instead of assuming you already know the technique.
- Helpful for practicing timing, heat control, and the order of adding ingredients.
- A useful tofu recipe for learning how texture and seasoning work together.
- Gives the dish a clear savory flavor profile without making the method feel complicated.
Ingredients
- 500g Firm Tofu
- 1 Egg
- 30g Red Bell Pepper
- 30g Yellow Bell Pepper
- As needed Cornstarch
- 1 small piece Ginger
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 2 stalks Green Onion
- 1 tbsp Light Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp Oyster Sauce
- As needed Cooking Oil
- 1 tbsp Chopped Pickled Chili
- 2 tbsp Water
- A pinch Salt
Ingredient Notes
These notes explain the role of the main ingredients so the recipe is easier to adjust without losing its Chinese home-cooking character.
Firm Tofu
Tofu absorbs surrounding flavors, so sauce, broth, and aromatics matter more than heavy seasoning.
Egg
This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.
Red Bell Pepper
Chilies or peppers add aroma, color, and heat; adjust the amount to fit your table.
Yellow Bell Pepper
Chilies or peppers add aroma, color, and heat; adjust the amount to fit your table.
Cornstarch
Starch helps sauces cling and can protect sliced meat during quick cooking.
small piece Ginger
Ginger adds clean aroma and helps balance meat, seafood, tofu, and fermented flavors.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all ingredients.
Step 2
Dice the red and yellow bell peppers.
Step 3
Finely mince the ginger and garlic, and chop the green onions.
Step 4
Cut the tofu into slices about 1 cm thick.
Step 5
Lightly coat both sides of the tofu slices with cornstarch.
Step 6
Beat the egg with a pinch of salt, then dip each tofu slice into the egg mixture.
Step 7
Heat a thin layer of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Step 8
Pan-fry the tofu until both sides are golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Step 9
Add a little oil to the pan. Stir-fry the bell peppers, ginger, garlic, and green onions until fragrant.
Step 10
Add the chopped pickled chili, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and water. Stir well to form a sauce.
Step 11
Return the fried tofu to the pan and toss gently until evenly coated with the sauce.
Step 12
Transfer to a serving plate and serve hot.
Cooking Tips
- Coating the tofu with cornstarch helps the egg adhere better and creates a crispier crust.
- Do not flip the tofu too early; wait until the underside is fully golden.
- Firm tofu works best because it holds its shape during frying.
- If chopped pickled chili is unavailable, substitute with chili garlic sauce or fermented chili paste.
- Additional salt is usually unnecessary because the soy sauce and oyster sauce provide enough seasoning.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve it with steamed rice when you want a simple Chinese home-cooked meal.
- Use it as a small side dish with congee, noodles, dumplings, or a rich braised main.
- A small portion can brighten heavier dishes because the sour, salty flavor cuts through richness.
Recipe Card
Crispy pan-fried tofu coated with egg and cornstarch, then stir-fried with colorful bell peppers and a savory sauce. A simple home-style dish with a golden exterior and tender interior.
Ingredients
- 500g Firm Tofu
- 1 Egg
- 30g Red Bell Pepper
- 30g Yellow Bell Pepper
- As needed Cornstarch
- 1 small piece Ginger
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 2 stalks Green Onion
- 1 tbsp Light Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp Oyster Sauce
- As needed Cooking Oil
- 1 tbsp Chopped Pickled Chili
- 2 tbsp Water
- A pinch Salt
Method
- Prepare all ingredients.
- Dice the red and yellow bell peppers.
- Finely mince the ginger and garlic, and chop the green onions.
- Cut the tofu into slices about 1 cm thick.
- Lightly coat both sides of the tofu slices with cornstarch.
- Beat the egg with a pinch of salt, then dip each tofu slice into the egg mixture.
- Heat a thin layer of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Pan-fry the tofu until both sides are golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Add a little oil to the pan. Stir-fry the bell peppers, ginger, garlic, and green onions until fragrant.
- Add the chopped pickled chili, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and water. Stir well to form a sauce.
- Return the fried tofu to the pan and toss gently until evenly coated with the sauce.
- Transfer to a serving plate and serve hot.
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