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: This is a commonly seen size and is used in a variety of dishes.
• Ooban: These come in various sizes and shapes depending on the intended use, including oversized versions that are almost twice the normal size, and square ones for inari sushi. In Kyoto in particular, it is common to cut square fried tofu into triangles for use in 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 toasted white sesame seeds, grated daikon radish (to taste), a little salt and soy sauce.
• Instructions: Cut the fried tofu in half horizontally to form a pouch, fill it with a mixture of natto, sesame seeds, and a pinch of salt, and grill it on a wire rack until crispy. Serve with grated daikon radish and soy sauce.

Boiled fried tofu and sweet potato

• Ingredients: 4 pieces of fried tofu, 500g sweet potato, approximately 3 cups dashi stock, sugar, mirin, soy sauce, and salt to taste.
• Instructions: Drain the excess oil from the fried tofu and simmer it with sweet potatoes. Bring to a boil in the broth, then add the seasonings and simmer until the sweet potatoes are tender.

Minced meat rolls with deep-fried tofu

• Ingredients: 3 pieces of fried tofu, 3 dried shiitake mushrooms, 1 piece of dried gourd strips, 300g ground chicken, salt and soy sauce to taste
• Instructions: Drain the excess oil from the fried tofu, wrap it around a mixture of ground meat and vegetables, tie it with dried gourd strips, and simmer it while seasoning with condiments.

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