From deep-fried tofu to choose it to delicious eating

Fried tofu is an essential ingredient in Japanese food culture. In this article, we'll introduce basic information about fried tofu, how to choose it, how to remove the oil, and even recipes for making it delicious. Let's enjoy cooking that makes the most of the appeal of fried tofu

What is fried tofu?

Aburaage is made by thinly slicing tofu and deep frying it, and is also called thin fried tofu. Finely textured, slightly firm tofu is thinly sliced, drained thoroughly, and then deep-fried twice at low and high temperatures, resulting in a crispy outside and fluffy inside

Types of fried tofu

• Regular fried tofu : A commonly found size, used in a variety of dishes.
• Oban : There are various sizes and shapes depending on the purpose, such as a large size that is nearly twice the size of the original, or a square size for inari sushi. In Kyoto in particular, it is common to cut square fried tofu into triangles and use them for inari sushi.

How to choose fried tofu

The key to choosing good quality fried tofu is to choose one that has a shiny surface and is bright in color. Avoid ones that are too crispy

The basic way to eat fried tofu

Before using fried tofu, it is common to drain it in boiling water. This removes excess oil and enhances the flavor of the dish. Fried tofu can be opened and enjoyed in a variety of dishes, such as inari sushi, simmered in a bag, grilled, or simmered

Fried tofu recipe

Fried tofu and natto

• Ingredients : 4 pieces of fried tofu, 100g of crushed natto, 1 tablespoon of roasted white sesame seeds, grated daikon radish as needed, a little salt and soy sauce
• How to make : Cut the deep-fried tofu in half horizontally, form it into a bag, and stuff it with a mixture of natto, sesame seeds, and a little salt. Grill it on a grill until crispy. Garnish with grated daikon radish and drizzle with soy sauce to finish.

Boiled fried tofu and sweet potato

• Ingredients : 4 pieces of fried tofu, 500g sweet potato, about 3 cups of dashi, sugar, mirin, soy sauce, and salt to taste
• How to make : Drain the oil from the fried tofu and simmer it with the sweet potato. After boiling in dashi, add the seasonings and simmer until the sweet potato is soft.

Minced meat rolls with deep-fried tofu

• Ingredients : 3 pieces of fried tofu, 3 pieces of dried shiitake mushroom, 1 meter of kanpyo, 300 g of minced chicken, salt and soy sauce to taste
• How to make : Drain the oil from the fried tofu, wrap it with a mixture of minced meat and vegetables, tie it with kanpyo, and simmer it while seasoning it with seasonings.

Fried tofu is delicious just as it is, but with a little preparation you can enjoy a wide variety of dishes. Try these recipes and expand the possibilities of fried tofu