Chinese Recipes
Pan-Fried Stinky Tofu
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, this pan-fried stinky tofu is finished with sweet bean sauce and served alongside a flavorful homemade chili dipping sauce.
- Total
- 20 Minutes
Quick Recipe Summary
- Cuisine
- Chinese
- Category
- Chinese Recipes
- Method
- Frying
- Total Time
- 20 Minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Main Ingredient
- Stinky Tofu
About This Recipe
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, this pan-fried stinky tofu is finished with sweet bean sauce and served alongside a flavorful homemade chili dipping sauce.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 20 minutes, so it can fit into a busy cooking day.
- Beginner-friendly enough for cooks who are still building confidence in the kitchen.
- 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 moderately spicy flavor profile without making the method feel complicated.
Ingredients
- 200 g Stinky Tofu
- 15 g Ginger
- 20 g Sweet Bean Sauce
- 10 g Chili Powder
- 15 g Onion
- 8 g Cilantro
Ingredient Notes
These notes explain the role of the main ingredients so the recipe is easier to adjust.
Stinky Tofu
Tofu absorbs surrounding flavors, so sauce, broth, and aromatics matter more than heavy seasoning.
Ginger
Ginger adds clean aroma and helps balance meat, seafood, tofu, and fermented flavors.
Sweet Bean Sauce
This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.
Chili Powder
Chilies or peppers add aroma, color, and heat; adjust the amount to fit your table.
Ingredients & Techniques Used in This Recipe
These guides explain the key sauces, ingredients, and cooking techniques used in this recipe, so you can understand the dish instead of only following steps.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Gather all the ingredients and prepare the dipping sauce components.
Step 2
Cut the stinky tofu into bite-sized pieces.
Step 3
Dice the onion and finely chop the garlic and cilantro.
Step 4
Pour hot oil over the chili powder to create a simple chili oil. Stir in a little vinegar, sesame oil, and salt to make the dipping sauce.
Step 5
Preheat a griddle or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Pan-fry the stinky tofu until golden brown on both sides.
Step 6
Brush each piece with sweet bean sauce, sprinkle with chili powder, and continue cooking until lightly caramelized.
Step 7
When the tofu develops a lightly crisp crust, add the onion and toss briefly. Transfer to a serving plate, garnish with cilantro, and serve with the dipping sauce.
Step 8
Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Cooking Tips
- Adjust the dipping sauce to suit your taste. For extra heat, add chili sauce or additional chili oil before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve it with steamed rice when you want a simple Chinese home-cooked meal.
- Pair it with one vegetable dish and one soup or tofu dish for a balanced Chinese meal.
- Use the recipe card below when you want a quick cooking reference after reading the full notes.
Recipe Card
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, this pan-fried stinky tofu is finished with sweet bean sauce and served alongside a flavorful homemade chili dipping sauce.
Ingredients
- 200 g Stinky Tofu
- 15 g Ginger
- 20 g Sweet Bean Sauce
- 10 g Chili Powder
- 15 g Onion
- 8 g Cilantro
Method
- Gather all the ingredients and prepare the dipping sauce components.
- Cut the stinky tofu into bite-sized pieces.
- Dice the onion and finely chop the garlic and cilantro.
- Pour hot oil over the chili powder to create a simple chili oil. Stir in a little vinegar, sesame oil, and salt to make the dipping sauce.
- Preheat a griddle or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Pan-fry the stinky tofu until golden brown on both sides.
- Brush each piece with sweet bean sauce, sprinkle with chili powder, and continue cooking until lightly caramelized.
- When the tofu develops a lightly crisp crust, add the onion and toss briefly. Transfer to a serving plate, garnish with cilantro, and serve with the dipping sauce.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
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