Ichiya-Dofu (Japanese Night-Dried)-Style Tofu Braised in Soy Sauce Recipe (2024)

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The frozen and rehydrated tofu is simmered in a mixture of dashi, soy sauce, and mirin.

By

Chichi Wang

Ichiya-Dofu (Japanese Night-Dried)-Style Tofu Braised in Soy Sauce Recipe (1)

Chichi Wang

Chichi Wang wrote a variety of columns for Serious Eats including The Butcher's Cuts, in addition to other stories. Born in Shanghai and raised in New Mexico, Chichi took her degree in philosophy but decided that writing about food would be more fun than writing about Plato.

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Updated August 09, 2022

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Ichiya-Dofu (Japanese Night-Dried)-Style Tofu Braised in Soy Sauce Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • Freezing the tofu first, then boiling it gives the tofu a firm, dense texture.
  • Frozen tofu has a greater capacity to absorb the braising liquid.

My love of frozen tofu began by accident. Stuck with a glut of half-used packages, I threw the blocks into the freezer and promptly forgot about them for weeks. Then, rifling through the fridge one day, I found the frozen tofu tucked away.

Yellowed and leathery,the blocks bore no resemblance to the fresh version.Still, not wanting to waste all that soy goodness, I tossed the tofu blocks into boiling water and waited.

The tofu emerged from the water looking considerably more appealing. No longer tan, the block had become white and pliable. I chopped the tofu into smaller squares before adding them to a braised pork dish. The result?Some of the most densely-textured tofu I'd ever eaten—tofu that, unlike the fresh blocks, had an even greater capacity to absorb the braising liquid.

Ichiya-Dofu (Japanese Night-Dried)-Style Tofu Braised in Soy Sauce Recipe (3)

The texture reminded me of thepressed tofu cakes, called "vegetarian chicken,"of which the Chinese are so fond, yet no frying was necessary to achieve the same firmness. In short, I was quite pleased with my discovery. Some of the best "inventions," I thought to myself, come about by accident with a little ingenuity on the part of the cook.

It was only months later that I discovered the Japanese have been preparing tofu this way in a dish calledichiya-dofu,or"night-dried" tofu.The frozen and rehydrated tofu is simmered in a mixture of dashi, soy sauce, and mirin, and it can be served with a number of other ingredients, such as sautéed ground meat or vegetables.

The method is extremely simple and convenient if, like me, you always seem to have opened packages of tofu sitting in the fridge.

Ichiya-Dofu (Japanese Night-Dried)-Style Tofu Braised in Soy Sauce Recipe (4)

The process is as easy as it sounds:wrap the tofu in cheesecloth, freeze it overnight, boil it the next day in water, and simmer it to your liking, or add it as a component in other simmered dishes. I like to toss the chunks of tofu into the pot whenever I'm making an Asian-style braised dish with soy sauce, but the tofu would pair just as well with a vegetable broth.

Ichiya-Dofu (Japanese Night-Dried)-Style Tofu Braised in Soy Sauce Recipe (5)

Frozen tofu may not be the most eye-catching item on the menu, but it's surely one of the most economical uses of old tofu.

March 2010

Adapted from Practical Japanese Cooking by Shizuo Tsuji and Koichiro Hata.

Recipe Details

Ichiya-Dofu (Japanese Night-Dried)-Style Tofu Braised in Soy Sauce Recipe

Prep15 mins

Cook50 mins

Freeze6 hrs

Total7 hrs 5 mins

Serves3to 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 block regular "cotton" tofu

  • 2 cups stock: meat, dashi, or vegetable

  • 1/4 cup dark soy sauce

  • 1/4 cup sake orrice wine

  • 1/4 cup mirin or 2 tablespoons sugar

  • Thinly sliced green onions, to garnish

Directions

  1. The night before, wrap the block of tofu in cheesecloth and freeze for at least 6 hours, or up to 2 weeks. Frozen, the tofu will be yellow and leathery in appearance.

  2. When you are ready to cook, run the block of tofu under hot water to remove the cheesecloth, which will have adhered to the surface of the tofu. Bring a large pot of water to boil and drop in tofu. Boil for 15 minutes, or until the entire block of tofu is softened.

  3. Cut tofu into 1-inch squares and place into a saucepan along with the rest of the simmering ingredients (stock, soy sauce, sake, and mirin). Over medium-low heat, simmer for at least 25 minutes, or until tofu has fully absorbed all but 1 tablespoon of the liquid.

Notes

If you are braising cubes of meat in a soy sauce dish, toss the cubes of tofu into the pot during the last half hour of braising.

  • Mains
  • Japanese
  • Vegetarian Mains
  • Stovetop Tofu
  • Tofu
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
178Calories
7g Fat
10g Carbs
15g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3to 4
Amount per serving
Calories178
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g9%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 1mg0%
Sodium 1063mg46%
Total Carbohydrate 10g4%
Dietary Fiber 1g5%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 15g
Vitamin C 1mg4%
Calcium 332mg26%
Iron 3mg15%
Potassium 401mg9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Ichiya-Dofu (Japanese Night-Dried)-Style Tofu Braised in Soy Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does braised tofu mean? ›

Braising = perfectly cooked tofu.

Step 1: Pan-fry or deep fry tofu until the pieces are golden brown and crisp. While deep frying produces excellent results, I found that pan-frying tofu first works very well and is more suitable for most home cooks. Step 2: Simmer the crispy tofu in a flavor-rich sauce.

How do you use dried tofu? ›

On its own, dry tofu has a flappy/rubbery feel, but its chewy texture plays well with anything soft. Chop it up, toss it into a noodle or brothy curry dish, and enjoy. How to Prep: No prep needed; simply remove the package and go.

Is dried tofu good? ›

Dried tofu is also a great source of calcium, iron, and magnesium, which are important for bone health, blood circulation, and muscle function. Additionally, dried tofu is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various recipes, making it a great choice for individuals following vegetarian or vegan diets.

What is Japanese tofu made of? ›

Tofu is made of curdled soy milk, pressed into blocks in a process similar to making cheese. It is a good source of protein and a staple of Japanese cuisine. Tofu is an especially important ingredient in vegetarian Buddhist temple cuisine (shojin ryori).

Why do people eat tofu instead of meat? ›

Tofu is rich in nutrients, contains all essential amino acids and is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Its adaptability allows for use in diverse dishes, whether as a meat substitute in vegetarian meals, blended into smoothies, or grilled, baked or stir-fried for added protein in a range of recipes.

What is the difference between Chinese tofu and Japanese tofu? ›

Difference between Chinese and Japanese Tofu. People often find it difficult to differentiate between Chinese and Japanese tofu. Since it contains less water, Chinese tofu has a firmer texture than Japanese tofu. It's great for adding texture and flavor to vegetarian foods that otherwise could lack substance without it ...

Does dried tofu need to be refrigerated? ›

At room temperature, tofu has a shelf life of only an hour or so. An original unopened package of tofu can last for three to five days in the refrigerator—opened tofu can too, but you must store it in an airtight container with water.

Can you eat dried tofu raw? ›

While tofu comes in a variety of textures — silken, firm, and extra firm — technically any of them can be eaten raw. Before enjoying raw tofu, drain off any excess liquid from the packaging. It's also important to store tofu properly to prevent germs from growing on any unused portions.

Do I need to soak tofu before cooking? ›

Many cooking experts champion a quick soak as a way to give the protein more texture and flavor. “Simmering cubed tofu in salted water for 60 seconds pulls out excess moisture and tightens the proteins on its surface,” Lukas Volger told Bon Appétit in 2021.

What is the downside of tofu? ›

Health risks of eating tofu

Breast tumors: Because of tofu's weak hormonal effects, some doctors suggest that people with estrogen-sensitive breast tumors limit their soy intake. Thyroid issues: Some professionals also advise people with poor thyroid function to avoid tofu due to its goitrogen content.

Can I eat too much tofu? ›

Because the glucide in tofu is mainly composed of fiber and multi-sugar, the starch content is low, when the bacteria in the intestines break down these glucids, they will produce a lot of gas. So eating a lot of tofu can easily cause bloating and flatulence.

Does tofu have estrogen? ›

Soy is unique in that it contains a high concentration of isoflavones, a type of plant estrogen (phytoestrogen) that is similar in function to human estrogen but with much weaker effects. Soy isoflavones can bind to estrogen receptors in the body and cause either weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity.

Why do Asians love tofu? ›

Why Chinese love fermented bean curd and even stinky tofu: it's cheap, adds flavour to rice and congee, is a good source of protein, and lots more.

Why do Japanese eat so much tofu? ›

Health Benefits In addition to protein, tofu contains iron, zinc, calcium and other minerals. It is also said that tofu helps to decrease the risk of heart disease. Kinako is roasted soybean powder. It's often used in mochi and other Japanese sweets.

Why do Asians use tofu? ›

Much of tofu's early use in East Asia was as a vegetarian substitute for meat and fish by Buddhist monks, especially those following Zen Buddhism. The earliest Japanese document concerning tofu refers to the dish being served as an offering at the Kasuga Shrine in Nara in 1183.

What does braised mean in cooking? ›

braising, the cooking of meat or vegetables by heating them slowly with oil and moisture in a tightly sealed vessel. Braising differs from stewing, in which the food is immersed in liquid, and from covered roasting, in which no liquid is added. Braising is a combination of covered roasting and steaming.

Does braised mean fully cooked? ›

At the end of the day, braising is just cooking a tougher cut of meat gently in liquid until it is transformed into a tender, succulent, fall-off-the-bone masterpiece.

Does braised mean slow cooked? ›

Braising, a form of slow cooking, involves cooking meat on a bed of vegetables (a mirepoix) with a small amount of liquid in a covered pan, for a couple hours on a low heat. The vegetables are usually served with the meat and the wonderful cooking juices are used as a tasty sauce.

Does braised mean fried? ›

Braising is a slow cooking method at lower temp. When frying you are submerging the food items in oil. When braising you are submerging the food items into liquids such as stock, tomato juice, fruit juice, etc. The fried item will be crunchy & less moist while the braised item will be quite tender.

References

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