Jul 17 2026
RestaurantsTofu Vegan IslingtonMapo Tofu Recipe

Mapo Tofu Recipe

Time30m
Serves4

House-made silken tofu in a spicy OR savory sauce

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Ingredients

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Tofu

Method

Preparation

  1. 1

    Carefully cut the silken tofu into 1-inch cubes. Bring a pot of water to a simmer, add 1/4 tsp salt, and gently simmer the tofu cubes for 2–3 minutes to firm them up. Drain and set aside.

Making the Sauce

  1. 2

    In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tsp water to form a slurry. Set aside.

  2. 3

    Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet or wok over medium heat. Add minced garlic, ginger, and ground Sichuan peppercorns. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.

  3. 4

    Add doubanjiang and stir-fry for another 30–45 seconds.

  4. 5

    Add soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, vegetable broth (or water), and sugar. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

  5. 6

    Add the tofu cubes gently into the sauce. Simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes, allowing the tofu to absorb the flavors.

  6. 7

    Stir the cornstarch slurry again and slowly drizzle it into the sauce while gently stirring. Cook for another 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Serving

  1. 8

    Carefully transfer the Mapo tofu to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped scallions and drizzle with chili oil if desired. Serve hot with steamed rice.

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