The BEST Korean Silken Tofu Soup Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (2024)

FAQs

Is silken tofu the same as soondubu? ›

Soondubu is a Korean tofu stew recipe made with silken tofu as the main ingredient. It's usually made with gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to yield a spicy broth, and you can vary the veggies and meat (or seafood) you put in it.

Firm and extra-firm tofu are dense and solid and hold up well in stir-frys, soups or on the grill. Soft tofu is good for soups and making dips or spreads, where a smoother texture is desirable and the recipe calls for blending, mashing or puréeing.

Transfer 1 cup soup and remaining tofu slab to blender and process until smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir pureed soup and reserved browned tofu into remaining soup in saucepan and adjust consistency with extra hot water as needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Korean name

Extra soft tofu, called sundubu (순두부; "mild tofu") in Korean, is softer than other types of tofu and is usually sold in tubes. The first iteration of sundubu was discovered by a Joseon civil official who used spring water and sea water during its cooking process.

Kimchi jjigae is a kimchi-based stew served with blocks of firm tofu, and, usually, small pieces of pork, whether pork belly or pork shoulder. On the other hand, soondubu jjigae, or sundubu jjigae, is a soft tofu stew, made by simmering silken tofu, assorted vegetables, and chopped kimchi in a spicy broth.

If you purchased the silken tofu in the refrigerated section, refrigerate and use by the date stamped on the package. If you purchased a shelf stable silken tofu that does not require refrigeration, store it in a cool, dry place like your pantry and use by the date indicated.

Tofu Nutrition

For relatively similar serving sizes, the nutrition differences between silken and firm tofu are pretty big. Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content.

You can put raw tofu in the soup and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to warm and flavor it. Tofu can be eaten raw, so it's no problem to add it raw to soups.

Firm or extra firm tofu works best as it holds its shape well and does not break apart easily when cooked in soup. Silken tofu, on the other hand, is softer and more delicate, making it a good choice for creamy soups or adding a silky texture to your dish.

A light coating of cornstarch will absorb even more moisture from the tofu's surface and contribute to a distinct coating. Sprinkle over the starch (potato starch, tapioca starch, and arrowroot all work too) a little bit at a time and toss the tofu, pressing gently so the starch adheres.

How do you keep tofu from falling apart in soup? ›

To Keep It Together, Think Dry and Firm

To use soft tofu successfully in a braised dish, simmering or steeping it in hot salt water or other salted liquid like broth first is essential.

Mix equal parts silken tofu and soy milk and blend thoroughly to make a high protein, vegan substitute for heavy cream. This mixture works well to thicken soups and sauces.

Korean Tofu Soup is generally low in saturated fat, which is beneficial for heart health.

Kimchi stew (kimchi jjigae) usually has more kimchi and more acidic broth, while the main ingredients in kimchi tofu soup (kimchi soondubu) is the soft tofu.. and some kimchi added to enhance the broth flavor.

Raw tofu is safe to eat but here's what to keep in mind before you do. Since tofu is technically already cooked, eating it "raw" isn't the same as eating raw meat. Still, tofu is as prone to contamination as any other food – whether that's due to improper handling or exposure to other raw foods.

Soondubu is simply really soft tofu. It's usually sold in a tube at Korean markets, but silken tofu is a great substitute. The more popular version of soondubu jigae is chock full of seafood. I really prefer beef soondubu jigae – heartier and full of beef and vegetables.

Silken tofu is commonly used to make vegan pudding, mousse, and other creamy desserts. Instead, you can use creamed banana (like in this banana pudding recipe from Fab Haute Mama), coconut cream (in this peanut butter mousse recipe from Minimalist Baker), chickpeas (yes, seriously!

Silken tofu, also known as Japanese-style tofu, is silky, creamy and has the highest water content.

If the recipe calls for silken tofu (soft tofu), you can try using yogurt. If a firm or extra firm tofu is being used in a recipe, you could try mashed beans or chickpeas, lean meat, lean fish, and seafood (as a protein source) would work well. It is very important to get animal and plant-based protein with food.