5 Minute Tofu Banchan for One (Soy Chili Sauce)

This 5 minute steamed Tofu Banchan with soy chili sauce is one of the easiest Korean banchan to make and it’s so versatile! You can either have it steamed for a warm, comforting addition to a meal, or cold for a refreshing touch.

Tofu in and of itself is a very versatile ingredient which comes in many forms. This soybean derivative can range from a firm cheese-like consistency to a soft bouncy form!

What kind of tofu should I use for this recipe?

This recipe uses soft or silken tofu which is softer than regular tofu and is often eaten steamed or uncooked. Meanwhile, regular tofu is much more porous and crumbly and is cooked by stir frying or baking. Unlike regular tofu, soft/silken tofu does not need to be pressed and can be eaten straight out of the packaging! Since soft tofu is stored differently than regular tofu, it may be located in a different part of your local grocery store, so keep an eye out when you’re gathering ingredients for this recipe!

This simple Tofu Banchan can be eaten alone, or paired with rice and a few other banchan. Check out our other banchan recipes like the Korean Bok Choy Side Dish for One!

In this Korean side dish series, a lot of the side dishes will use similar ingredients, so here are some essentials you’ll want to have on hand when you’re making them at home:

• Rice vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Gochujang
• Soybean paste
• Roasted sesame seeds
• Korean chili flakes

Here’s what you’ll need for this 5 Minute Tofu Banchan recipe: 

• ¼ block silken tofu (this recipe is for one serving, but feel free to steam the entire block!)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon water
• Sesame oil
• Sesame seeds
• Green onions

Let’s get to cooking!

1. Steam your tofu for 5-6 minutes using a bamboo steamer, either a quarter of a block for one serving or the entire block (If you would like to serve this as a cold dish, then do not steam. You can leave the tofu cold.)

2. Prepare a sauce while you steam using these ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon water
• Sesame oil
• Sesame seeds
• Korean chili flakes

Be sure to taste your sauce and adjust to your liking since different brands of these ingredients will slightly vary the taste.

4. Microwave the sauce for a few seconds to melt the sugar, or use warm water instead of room temperature.

5. Pour the sauce on the tofu.

6. Add green onions and sesame seeds to garnish and enjoy!

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