Dear Meat Lover,
Today I’m making tofu kimchi(kimchi tofu stir fry) for meat lovers. When we think of vegan food, one ingredient that immediately comes to mind is tofu! Have you ever thought of tofu as just a vegan food? If so, you’ve been missing out on its true potential! Today, I’m going to introduce you to one of Korea’s most popular side dishes: Tofu Kimchi. But not just any tofu kimchi. I’m talking about Meat Lover’s Tofu Kimchi, packed with savory goodness that will blow your mind.
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The perfect trio: Tofu, Kimchi, and Meat
In Korean cuisine, tofu and kimchi are a perfect match. The combination of crunchy kimchi and soft tofu is a combination that Koreans truly love. Tofu has a nutty flavor but lacks a strong, distinctive flavor, making it incredibly versatile depending on the dish or sauce it’s paired with. Tofu is often cooked with meat or fish, which not only enhances the flavor, but also makes it a perfect protein-packed dish. Add some pork or tuna and the flavors go to a whole new level.
Not only is tofu kimchi a top contender among Korean drinking snacks, but it’s also an easy and incredibly delicious side dish you can whip up at home. When you add meat, soft and mild tofu goes from being a vegan basic to the star of the meal.
By the way, if you want to try a Korean-style drinking snack, make delicious and easy Korean fried chicken jeon at home! This is another dish made for meat lovers. It’s perfect for those who crave fried chicken but don’t want the hassle of frying. Cooked in a pan, it’s just as crispy and delicious as classic fried chicken. My recipe features a “banban” style (half seasoned, half fried chicken) for the best of both worlds!
Is Korean food really vegan-friendly?
Many people assume that Korean food is naturally vegan friendly. After all, dishes like bibimbap, spicy vegetables, and kimchi come to mind. But anyone who’s been to Korea will quickly realize how hard it can be to find truly vegan options.
Most Korean stews and soups use a meat or seafood-based broth, and even kimchi isn’t typically vegan. Many types of kimchi are made with anchovy or shrimp based seasonings, making them unsuitable for vegans. It’s unfortunate, but my vegetarian friend from Belgium told me how difficult it was to find food in Korea. She survived on meatless bibimbap and French fries during her visit. When I hear stories like this, I feel sorry for vegans and vegetarians who live or travel in Korea.
Still, tofu kimchi is an outstanding dish, even if you’re not vegan, because of the incredible harmony between tofu, kimchi, and meat.
Mom’s Tofu Kimchi, Reinvented in Belgium
My mother used to make tofu kimchi(kimchi tofu stir-fry) for our family of four with a generous half head of kimchi. But here in Belgium, I can only get small packages of kimchi, which are expensive and precious. So I used less kimchi and added more meat to make up for it and the results were amazing.
The pork filled kimchi stir fry paired perfectly with the tofu, creating the most delicious Meat Lover’s Tofu Kimchi I’ve ever had. And the leftover stir fried kimchi? It made the most incredible rice bowls-so flavorful that no other side dishes were needed.
Make it ahead: Meat Lover’s Kimchi Stir-Fry
If you’re making Pork Kimchi Stir-Fry today, make a big batch. Use some for the tofu kimchi and save the rest for later. It works great as a quick side dish or even as a rice topping for an easy meal.
So, all you meat lovers out there, give this recipe a try! Experience the delicious magic of tofu, kimchi, and pork together. You won’t regret it.
Meat Lover’s Tofu Kimchi
Equipment
- 1 cutting board and knife
- 1 medium saucepan
- 1 Frying pan
- 1 Spatula
- 1 small mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1/2 block tofu
- 200 g kimchi
- 150 g ground pork
- 1/2 onion
- 1/5 green onion
- 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tbsp gocugaru Korean red pepper powder
- 1/2 tbsp anchovy fish sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 pinch sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Tofu
- Cut the tofu into a large square.
- Blanch tofu in boiling water for 3 minutes.
- Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Kimchi
- Cut the kimchi into small pieces.
Prepare the Vegetables
- Dice the onion thinly.
- Slice the green onion thinly.
Cook the Dish
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a small amount of oil.
- Add the sliced green onion and stir to make green onion oil.
- Add the sliced onion.
- Add the minced pork and stir-fry until cooked.
- Season the Dish
- Add 1/2 tbsp sugar
- Add 1/2 tbsp anchovy fish sauce
- Add 1/2 tbsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper powder)
- Add aged kimchi to the pan and stir-fry
- Add 3 tbsp water to the pan and let it simmer until the liquid is reduced.
Finish the Dish
- Turn off the heat
- Add 2 tbsp of sesame oil
- mix well to enhance the flavor
Serve
- Place the tofu pieces on a serving plate
- Spoon the pork kimchi stir-fry over the tofu
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds
Jal meokgetseumnida!
- Meat Lover's Tofu KImch 고기듬뿍 두부김치
- 잘 먹겠습니다!
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @blondekimchi_ on Instagram and hashtag it #blondekimchi.
Wow, I made this for dinner and loved it! The tofu and pork kimchi combo is so flavorful. I wasn’t sure about the anchovy fish sauce at first, but it added such a nice depth to the dish. Thanks for sharing this recipe—it’s definitely going on my favorites list! 😊