How do I cook tofu like this? From my favourite Thai place. I included a cross section of it
Texture wise: the tofu is squishy but when I bite it, it oozes flavour and sauce. Not sure if this is firm, medium firm or extra firm tofu.
by sadsadboy1994
28 Comments
WorkingAssociate9860
Just looks like marinated firm or very firm tofu, probably lightly sauteed.
Honestly tofu is great for experimenting with flavors because it’s basically a sponge.
If I were to guess id say it’s just a block of firm tofu, pressed to get a lot of the excess water out, then marinated in whatever sauce you’d want to use, likely soy sauce based, and then lightly sauteed or steamed by the lack of a crispy edge
SweatermanMcGee
They may have frozen and thawed the tofu before using it. Freezing tofu will change the texture because of the expanding ice crystals in the block.
Just make sure to get your tofu from an asian supermarket. They usually differ allot from the ones you get in regular grocery stores. ☺️
Polka_Tiger
Frozen and defrosted firm tofu, maybe marineted in a soy sauce marinade. Fried.
Intelligent-Dish3100
Looks like puffy tofu to me at least that’s what I usually get in my thai food. You can buy it at Asian supermarkets
yasaitarian
An air fryer would work – I’ve been delighted by how it cooks tofu this way
ScarcityFeisty2736
You deep fry it then add to your stir fry.
Aldente08
Marinade it and add a touch of cornstarch before frying. It helps give the firm outside texture but soft inside.
pentesticals
Pretty sure it’s been frozen
PresenceKlutzy7167
My steps to tasty, cross Tofu: 1. buy good tofu. There is a lot of bad quality out there. Find the good one and stick to it. 2. freeze it in the package it comes in. 3. put the frozen tofu (after removing the plastic packaging) into salted boiling water and leave it there for 5min. Get it out and let it cool 4. carefully press it to drain the water and cut it into pieces 5. marinade it (something like a mix of soy sauce, a sweetener, lemon juice and spices and let it sit for at least 30min. The longer the better. 6. put the chunks into corn starch and optional sesame seeds and spices 7. fry it in a pan. For my it works best to not go full power heatwise and be patient.
davemee
Asian supermarkets near me have fried tofu in bags in the fridge section. It’s amazing; it’s full of little holes just gasping to soak up marinades and flavours. It will often be wolfed down by people who otherwise hate tofu – see if you can find some, it looks similar when cooked.
Fabulous_Activity
Marinate and bake it first. then stir fry up
lapatrona8
You can buy fried refrigerated tofu in any Asian grocer, that’s the only way to get the texture!
razz-p-berrie
i love a good cross section
dreamydionysian
Lots of good responses here but also you could ask them how they prepare the tofu for that dish and what makes it different? 🤷♀️
4blbrd
It’s deep fried. You can buy it that way from Asian grocery stores.
Suspicious_Two_4815
This is fascinating 🤩 I’m always eager to learn I have been pressing extra firm, from the fridge, then air frying until a little brown and then saucing it I love it. But now should I freeze it in its own water?
kloyoh
I work at a vegan Thai place. It’s just deep fried tofu. Chilled in fridge, it helps firm up the tofu even tho that’s not the purpose of the fridge, it’s where food goes… once the tofu is heated up by cooking it just holds it’s shape better.
DJWeissbier
If you don’t have time to freeze the tofu slices, you can also press the slices between two boards before frying. Water goes out, flavour and sauce can go in.
Kessed
I’ve tried making my own and it’s good, but it’s so much easier to just buy fried tofu at the store. I buy multiple bags at a time and keep them in the freezer. I just pull out what I need and add them frozen to my stirfry or whatever. They heat up super quick and absorb a bunch of sauce. They are also awesome added to Ramen.
trojan_leon
Use extra firm tofu, squeeze out all the excess moisture, marinade, right before cooking coat in a little cornflour, fry
TandalayaVentimiglia
Don’t freeze it first
Pat dry, slice and pan fry in a few tablespoons of oil. To make it this good you need patience, it takes up to 20 minutes, and you’ll need to turn them to make sure all sides get browned. Then add sauce to the pan and toss until the pieces are coated
shrimpsh
Reminds me of Thai Express which I love even tho a lot of people hate on it lol
dmmeurpotatoes
This looks exactly like the tofu I made last week. Squeeze. Slice. Marinate. Fry. Enjoy.
brittany09182
I’m sorry to break this to you, but it’s not possible to cook like the Thai people. Just save yourself the headache and order from them or make something else. I hope you have a good day.
VixenRoss
Make a grated ginger, lime , garlic (possibly chilli peppers) and soyasauce marinade. Leave overnight, then stir fry.
28 Comments
Just looks like marinated firm or very firm tofu, probably lightly sauteed.
Honestly tofu is great for experimenting with flavors because it’s basically a sponge.
If I were to guess id say it’s just a block of firm tofu, pressed to get a lot of the excess water out, then marinated in whatever sauce you’d want to use, likely soy sauce based, and then lightly sauteed or steamed by the lack of a crispy edge
They may have frozen and thawed the tofu before using it. Freezing tofu will change the texture because of the expanding ice crystals in the block.
[a little more info](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/14/dining/freeze-your-tofu.html#:~:text=Just%20drain%20your%20tofu%20and,before%20oiling%2C%20seasoning%20and%20roasting.)
Looks to be fried tofu to me
Just make sure to get your tofu from an asian supermarket. They usually differ allot from the ones you get in regular grocery stores. ☺️
Frozen and defrosted firm tofu, maybe marineted in a soy sauce marinade. Fried.
Looks like puffy tofu to me at least that’s what I usually get in my thai food. You can buy it at Asian supermarkets
An air fryer would work – I’ve been delighted by how it cooks tofu this way
You deep fry it then add to your stir fry.
Marinade it and add a touch of cornstarch before frying. It helps give the firm outside texture but soft inside.
Pretty sure it’s been frozen
My steps to tasty, cross Tofu:
1. buy good tofu. There is a lot of bad quality out there. Find the good one and stick to it.
2. freeze it in the package it comes in.
3. put the frozen tofu (after removing the plastic packaging) into salted boiling water and leave it there for 5min. Get it out and let it cool
4. carefully press it to drain the water and cut it into pieces
5. marinade it (something like a mix of soy sauce, a sweetener, lemon juice and spices and let it sit for at least 30min. The longer the better.
6. put the chunks into corn starch and optional sesame seeds and spices
7. fry it in a pan. For my it works best to not go full power heatwise and be patient.
Asian supermarkets near me have fried tofu in bags in the fridge section. It’s amazing; it’s full of little holes just gasping to soak up marinades and flavours. It will often be wolfed down by people who otherwise hate tofu – see if you can find some, it looks similar when cooked.
Marinate and bake it first. then stir fry up
You can buy fried refrigerated tofu in any Asian grocer, that’s the only way to get the texture!
i love a good cross section
Lots of good responses here but also you could ask them how they prepare the tofu for that dish and what makes it different? 🤷♀️
It’s deep fried. You can buy it that way from Asian grocery stores.
This is fascinating 🤩 I’m always eager to learn
I have been pressing extra firm, from the fridge, then air frying until a little brown and then saucing it I love it.
But now should I freeze it in its own water?
I work at a vegan Thai place. It’s just deep fried tofu. Chilled in fridge, it helps firm up the tofu even tho that’s not the purpose of the fridge, it’s where food goes… once the tofu is heated up by cooking it just holds it’s shape better.
If you don’t have time to freeze the tofu slices, you can also press the slices between two boards before frying. Water goes out, flavour and sauce can go in.
I’ve tried making my own and it’s good, but it’s so much easier to just buy fried tofu at the store. I buy multiple bags at a time and keep them in the freezer. I just pull out what I need and add them frozen to my stirfry or whatever. They heat up super quick and absorb a bunch of sauce. They are also awesome added to Ramen.
Use extra firm tofu, squeeze out all the excess moisture, marinade, right before cooking coat in a little cornflour, fry
Don’t freeze it first
Pat dry, slice and pan fry in a few tablespoons of oil. To make it this good you need patience, it takes up to 20 minutes, and you’ll need to turn them to make sure all sides get browned. Then add sauce to the pan and toss until the pieces are coated
Reminds me of Thai Express which I love even tho a lot of people hate on it lol
This looks exactly like the tofu I made last week. Squeeze. Slice. Marinate. Fry. Enjoy.
I’m sorry to break this to you, but it’s not possible to cook like the Thai people. Just save yourself the headache and order from them or make something else. I hope you have a good day.
Make a grated ginger, lime , garlic (possibly chilli peppers) and soyasauce marinade. Leave overnight, then stir fry.
Don’t quote me on it though…
Buy at an Asian grocer.