Yudofu (Tofu Hot Pot)
This is a very simple tofu dish which is perfect to eat on a cold day. Hardly any preparation is required. The cooking time is just the time required to boil the tofu in water. If you use konbu (kelp) dashi instead of normal dashi for the dipping sauce, then this dish becomes a vegetarian dish. Alternatively, you can simply use soy sauce instead of making the dipping sauce.
- Prep time
- 5 min
- Cook time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 2 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1-2 packs of silken tofu ((Note 1))
- 5cm (2") x 10cm (4") strip of konbu (kelp) (cut into half)
- Ponzu or gomadare
- 2 tbsp finely chopped shallots/ scallions
- 1 tbsp katsuobushi ((dried bonito flakes))
- 1 tbsp julienned yaki nori ((roasted seaweed sheet), about 2-3cm / 1 inch length)
Instructions
- 1
Using a paper towel, gently wipe any dust off the konbu but do not scrub hard and do not remove the white powder stuck on the surface of the konbu as it contains umami.
- 2
Fill the donabe/pot with enough water to cover the entire tofu. Add the konbu in the donabe/pot and leave it for 30 min without heat on. This is to let umami from the konbu come out and mix into the water.
- 3
Take the tofu out of the pack and place it onto your palm. Cut the tofu into 6 cubes, i.e. one cut length wise and two cuts perpendicular to the first cut.
- 4
Gently place the tofu into the donabe/pot with konbu in it and turn the heat on to medium heat.
- 5
When the tofu pieces started moving due to the small bubbles from the boiling water, turn the heat off and serve immediately (Note 3) with the dipping sauce.
- 6
Make ponzu and/or gomadare as per the recipe in Japanese Dressings.
- 7
Transfer the sauce to a serving container.
- 8
Add dipping sauce of your choice to a serving bowl.
- 9
Pick up a pice of tofu from the pot (only the tofu without liquid) and place it in the serving bowl.
- 10
Top with garnish. You could also add garnish in the dipping sauce first if you like.
- 11
You may need to top up with the dipping sauce half way if it becomes bland.