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Savory and mildly spicy, the Japanese version of Mapo Tofu is an easy weeknight stir-fry that goes great over a bowl of rice.
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Japanese Mapo Tofu

Mabo Dofu(マーボー豆腐) is the Japanese version of Mapo Tofu. With silky-smooth cubes of tofu enrobed in a savory-sweet sauce, this milder version of the Chinese original still packs a ton of umami, making it a favorite in households around Japan.
Course Entree
Cuisine Japanese-Chinese
Keyword easy, quick, stir-fry
Level Beginner
Main Ingredient Pork, Tofu
Diet Dairy-Free
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 485kcal
Author Marc Matsumoto

Equipment

Ingredients

Mabo Dofu Sauce

  • ⅔ cup low sodium chicken stock
  • 1 tablespoon mirin
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon potato starch

For Stir-Fry

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 60 grams onion (½ small onion, finely minced)
  • 9 grams grated garlic (1 very large clove, grated)
  • 9 grams grated ginger (equal amount to garlic, grated)
  • 1 tablespoon miso
  • 150 grams ground pork
  • 396 grams silken tofu (1 block cut into ½-inch cubes)

To Serve

  • Chili oil (to taste)
  • Scallions (chopped for garnish)
Grams + US Cups - US Standard

Instructions

  • To make the sauce for the Mabo Dofu, add the ⅔ cup low sodium chicken stock, 1 tablespoon mirin, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon potato starch to a bowl and whisk to combine.
    ⅔ cup low sodium chicken stock, 1 tablespoon mirin, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon potato starch
    Mixing Japanese Mapo Tofu sauce.
  • Preheat a large frying pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add the 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 60 grams onion, 9 grams grated garlic, 9 grams grated ginger, and 1 tablespoon miso, and stir-fry the mixture until the onions are tender and the miso starts to brown.
    1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 60 grams onion, 9 grams grated garlic, 9 grams grated ginger, 1 tablespoon miso
    Sautéing ginger, garlic, onions, and miso for Mapo Tofu.
  • Add the 150 grams ground pork to the pan and use a spatula to break it up into small crumbs.
    150 grams ground pork
    Stir-frying ground pork an aromatics for making Japanese-style Mapo Tofu.
  • When the pork is cooked through, give the sauce ingredients another stir to reincorporate the settled starch and then pour it into the pan. Add the 396 grams silken tofu and gently spread it around so that it's submerged in the sauce.
    396 grams silken tofu
    Stirring Mapo Tofu sauce and adding it to the pan.
  • Cook the tofu in the sauce, stirring gently or tossing, until the tofu is heated through and the sauce has thickened.
    Japanese-style mapo tofu in frying pan.
  • Serve your Japanese Mapo Tofu garnished with Scallions and Chili oil to taste.
    Chili oil, Scallions
    Mapo Tofu garnished with chili oil and scallions.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 708mg | Potassium: 783mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 3mg