Stinky Tofu

Name: Stinky Tofu
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Taiwanese
Ingredients: 14 oz fermented tofu (stinky tofu), cubed; 1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying); 2 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp rice vinegar; 1 tbsp chili sauce or sriracha; 1 tsp sugar; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 scallions, chopped; 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Crispy-outside, silky-inside fermented tofu cubes, pan-fried until golden and served with a tangy-spicy dipping sauce. An iconic street snack that's loved despite its pungent aroma.

25 minEasyServes 4280 cal/serving

TaiwaneseAppetizerStovetopVegetarianVeganGluten-Free

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Ingredients

14 oz fermented tofu (stinky tofu), cubed
1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp chili sauce or sriracha
1 tsp sugar
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 scallions, chopped
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1

Make the dipping sauce: whisk together 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp chili sauce or sriracha, 1 tsp sugar, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Set aside.
2

Heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying) in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
3

Working in batches, carefully add 14 oz cubed fermented tofu (stinky tofu) to the hot oil.
4

Fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Do not overcrowd the pan.
5

Transfer tofu to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
6

Arrange fried tofu on a serving plate.
7

Drizzle or pour dipping sauce over the tofu.
8

Garnish with 2 chopped scallions and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.
9

Serve hot, with extra sauce on the side for dipping.

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Questions

What should Stinky Tofu look like when it is ready?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 4: cook until golden and crispy.

What can I use instead of rice vinegar in Stinky Tofu?

The entry for Stinky Tofu calls for 2 tbsp rice vinegar. In its place: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, softened with a pinch of sugar, is close. Avoid plain distilled vinegar at full strength, which is much sharper.

Can I use a different firmness of tofu instead of tofu in Stinky Tofu?

Go firmer, not softer. Extra-firm stands in for firm anywhere; anything softer breaks up when it is fried or stirred. Press it for 15 minutes either way. As written, the entry for Stinky Tofu uses 14 oz fermented tofu (stinky tofu), cubed.

Can I make Stinky Tofu less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Stinky Tofu comes from 1 tbsp chili sauce or sriracha. For a milder plate, start with half the chili sauce and add more to taste at the end; nothing else in the method changes.

How many calories are in Stinky Tofu?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 280 calories, with 18 g protein, 12 g carbohydrate and 18 g fat, plus 2 g fiber and 720 mg sodium.

Serve it with

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