🍲 Korean · Main · Hard difficulty · Vegan
Tofu Galbi Jjim
A rustic Korean main built around tofu, seasoned with short ribs and soy sauce.
- Prep time
- 44 min
- Cook time
- 101 min
- Total time
- 2h 25m
- Servings
- 6
- Calories
- 377 kcal
- Protein
- 18 g
- Carbs
- 24 g
- Fat
- 23 g
- Course
- Main
About this Korean stew
Tofu Galbi Jjim is a Korean main built around firm tofu. It takes about 2h 25m from start to finish, 44 minutes of prep and 101 minutes of cooking, and serves 6.
Cooking method: stew. Difficulty is rated hard. Vegan.
Good for: light & low calorie, meal prep, one-pot wonders, comfort food.
Ingredients
Quantities are for 6 servings. Change the servings in the app to rescale them automatically.
- 300 g firm tofu, cubed
- 1 kg short ribs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1 pear
- 2 carrots
- 2 potatoes
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Method
Step 1. Pat the tofu dry, season and brown in batches in a heavy pot; set aside.
- Heat
- Off, no heat yet
- Look for
- Pieces are roughly the same size, so they all finish cooking together.
- Why it matters
- Even pieces cook at the same speed. Prepping everything first (mise en place) stops you scrambling once the pan is hot.
- Avoid
- Cutting pieces of mixed sizes: small ones burn while big ones stay raw.
Step 2. Soften the aromatics in the same pot, scraping up the browned bits.
- Heat
- Medium to high, stir or flip now and then
- Look for
- Golden-brown edges, a steady sizzle and a toasty smell.
- Why it matters
- Browning (the Maillard reaction) creates deep savoury flavour that boiling cannot.
- Avoid
- Overcrowding the pan: the temperature drops and food steams. Cook in batches.
Step 3. Add the short ribs, soy sauce, pear and carrots and just enough water to cover.
- Heat
- Keep the heat steady
- Look for
- The new ingredient is coated and the mixture returns to a gentle bubble.
- Why it matters
- Adding things in order lets each ingredient cook for just the right time.
- Avoid
- Dumping everything in at once: delicate items turn mushy before tougher ones are done.
Step 4. Return the tofu, cover and simmer gently for 76 minutes.
- Heat
- Keep the heat steady
- Look for
- The new ingredient is coated and the mixture returns to a gentle bubble.
- Why it matters
- Adding things in order lets each ingredient cook for just the right time.
- Avoid
- Dumping everything in at once: delicate items turn mushy before tougher ones are done.
Step 5. Uncover and reduce the sauce for 10 minutes until rich and glossy.
- Heat
- Low, with small lazy bubbles
- Look for
- Small bubbles break the surface gently; the sauce thickens and the food turns tender.
- Why it matters
- Gentle, steady heat softens tough fibres and lets flavours blend without drying things out.
- Avoid
- Letting it boil hard, which toughens meat and reduces the liquid too fast. Lifting the lid too often loses heat.
Step 6. Season, rest for 10 minutes and serve with sesame oil.
- Heat
- Off, no heat
- Look for
- Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
- Why it matters
- Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
- Avoid
- Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.
Chef's tip
Low and slow is the whole secret.
Equipment you will need
- Heavy pot with lid
- Wooden spoon
- Plate for browned meat
Nutrition per serving
Estimated per serving: 377 kcal, 18 g protein, 24 g carbohydrate and 23 g fat. Roughly 19% of the energy comes from protein, 26% from carbohydrate and 55% from fat, using standard energy values.
Nutrition values are estimates from typical ingredient profiles. They are not medical data, and brands and portions vary. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian about your diet.
When to cook Tofu Galbi Jjim
Substitutions and variations
- Brown the meat in batches for deeper flavour before adding liquid.
- Use lentils or chickpeas for a meat-free version and shorten the simmer time.
- Stews taste better the next day; cool, refrigerate and reheat until piping hot.
Frequently asked questions about Tofu Galbi Jjim
How long does Tofu Galbi Jjim take to make?
It takes about 2h 25m in total: 44 minutes of prep and 101 minutes of cooking. Times are estimates and depend on your stove, pan and how small you cut the ingredients.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving has about 377 kcal, with 18 g protein, 24 g carbohydrate and 23 g fat. These are estimates for the recipe's 6 servings.
Is Tofu Galbi Jjim gluten-free?
It is not marked gluten-free in our data. Use certified gluten-free alternatives for any sauces or stocks if you need to avoid gluten.
Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
Yes, it is vegan. Check labels on stock and curry pastes, which can contain animal products.
How difficult is it to cook?
It is a challenging recipe that involves several techniques and careful timing. Prepare everything first.
Can I make Tofu Galbi Jjim ahead or freeze it?
Yes. Cool it quickly, refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot throughout.
How many servings does it make?
This recipe makes 6 servings. To change the amount, scale each ingredient in proportion. The interactive app's servings control does this automatically.