Vietnamese Fried Tofu Recipe
Deep-fried tofu served with a sweet and sour sauce.
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Ingredients
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Tofu
Sweet and Sour Sauce
Garnish
Method
Tofu Preparation
- 1
Press the Tofu
Remove the tofu from its packaging and drain the liquid. Wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels, and place a heavy object on top to press out excess moisture for about 20-30 minutes.
- 2
Cut the Tofu
After pressing, cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes (about 1-inch squares).
- 3
Coat with Cornstarch
Place the cut tofu cubes in a bowl and sprinkle cornstarch over them. Toss gently to coat each piece evenly.
Frying the Tofu
- 4
Heat the Oil
In a deep frying pan or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F (175°C). You can test the oil by dropping a small piece of tofu in; it should sizzle immediately.
- 5
Fry the Tofu
Carefully add the coated tofu cubes to the hot oil in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 4-5 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally for even cooking.
- 6
Drain the Tofu
Once fried, use a slotted spoon to remove the tofu and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Sweet and Sour Sauce Preparation
- 7
Combine Ingredients
In a small saucepan, combine sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, water, sesame oil, minced garlic, and chili flakes. Stir well to combine.
- 8
Cook the Sauce
Heat the saucepan over medium heat until the mixture starts to simmer. Allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce slightly thickens.
- 9
Taste and Adjust
Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or sourness by adding more sugar or vinegar as needed.
Serving
- 10
Plate the Tofu
Arrange the crispy fried tofu on a serving plate.
- 11
Serve with Sauce
Serve the sweet and sour sauce on the side for dipping or drizzle over the tofu.
- 12
Garnish
Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro and sliced green onions over the tofu for garnish.
