Silken Tofu with Minced Pork — Easy Chinese Recipe Ready in 15 Minutes

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes | Servings: 2

This is one of those dishes I make when I don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen but still want something delicious and comforting on the table. Silken tofu with minced pork — simple ingredients, quick to put together, and it goes so well with steamed rice.

I’ve been making this for years and honestly it never gets old. The tofu is soft and silky, the pork is savoury, and the sauce ties everything together beautifully. If you’ve never cooked with silken tofu before, this is the perfect recipe to start with. Trust me, it’s easier than you think.

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Watch How to Make It

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What Is Silken Tofu?

Silken tofu (also called smooth tofu or 滑豆腐) has a soft, custard-like texture that’s very different from firm tofu. It’s delicate, silky, and absorbs sauces wonderfully — making it perfect for braised and sauced dishes like this one.

Tip: Handle silken tofu gently. It breaks easily, so use a light hand when cutting and mixing.

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Serves 2

Ingredients 材料

• 100g minced pork 100克猪肉碎
• 1 block silken/smooth tofu 1块滑豆腐
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3瓣大蒜，切碎
• 1–2 tablespoons cooking oil 1-2汤匙食用油

Pork Marinade 猪肉腌料

• ½ tablespoon light soy sauce 半汤匙生抽
• ½ teaspoon cornstarch 半茶匙玉米淀粉
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil 一汤匙食用油

Seasoning 调料

• ½ tablespoon light soy sauce 半汤匙生抽
• ½ tablespoon abalone sauce ½汤匙鲍鱼酱
• 125ml water or chicken stock (½ cup) 125毫升(½杯)水或鸡汤
• 1.5 teaspoons cornstarch 1.5茶匙玉米淀粉

Garnish 装饰

• 1 sprig spring onion, diced 1根小葱，切丁

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How to Make Silken Tofu with Minced Pork

Step 1 — Marinate the Minced Pork

Add the minced pork to a bowl along with the light soy sauce. Then mix well.

Then add cornstarch and mix well.

Add cooking oil. Then gently mix in different directions.

Important tip: After adding the oil, don’t mix the meat in a circular motion. Instead, gently mix it in different directions. This prevents the pork from clumping together during cooking and keeps it tender.

Set aside to marinate while you prepare the tofu.

Step 2 — Prepare the Silken Tofu

Remove the top plastic sheet from the tofu packaging. Flip the package over onto a cutting board. Make a few small slits at the corners of the packaging — this makes it much easier to release the tofu without breaking it.

Flip the tofu onto a cutting board. Gently press the top and sides of the packaging to release the tofu onto your cutting board. Then cut it into smaller bite-sized cubes.

Step 3 — Sauté the Garlic

Heat 1–2 tablespoons of oil in a pan or wok over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until the edges turn golden brown and fragrant.

Step 4 — Cook the Minced Pork

Add the marinated minced pork to the pan. Immediately mix it together with the garlic — this prevents the garlic from burning.

Stir-fry until the pork changes colour from pink to brown and is fully cooked through.

Step 5 — Add Tofu and Sauce

Gently add the tofu cubes into the pan. Then add:

• Light soy sauce
• Abalone sauce
• Cornstarch mixture (stir the cornstarch water before adding — it settles at the bottom!)

Gently mix everything together, being careful not to break up the tofu too much.

Step 6 — Thicken the Sauce

Increase the heat and let everything cook until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with a little more salt or sugar if needed.

Step 7 — Serve

Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with freshly diced spring onions. Serve immediately over steamed white rice.

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Tips for the Best Silken Tofu with Minced Pork

• Always stir the cornstarch mixture before adding it to the pan — cornstarch settles quickly and you want it evenly distributed in the sauce.
• Don’t over-stir the tofu — silken tofu is delicate. A few gentle folds are all you need.
• Abalone sauce adds a rich, umami depth to this dish. You can find it at most Asian grocery stores. If you don’t have it, oyster sauce works as a substitute.
• Chicken stock instead of water gives the sauce a richer, more flavourful base.

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What to Serve with This Dish

This silken tofu with minced pork is best served as part of a simple Asian meal. Pair it with:

• Steamed jasmine rice
• Stir-fried vegetables (bok choy, kai lan, or spinach)
• A simple meat dish (Braised Chicken with Black Fungus, Steamed Salted Chicken, Steamed Fish with Garlic Soy Sauce)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use firm tofu instead of silken tofu?
You can, but the texture will be very different. Silken tofu gives this dish its signature soft, melt-in-your-mouth quality. Firm tofu holds its shape better but won’t absorb the sauce the same way.

Can I substitute the minced pork?
Yes! Minced chicken or minced beef work well too.

Can I make this ahead of time?
This dish is best enjoyed fresh. The tofu can become watery if left sitting too long. If you need to prep ahead, marinate the pork and cut the tofu, then cook just before serving.

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Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! Don’t forget to tag @ruyiasianrecipes if you share it on social media.

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Other Tofu Dishes You Might Also Like:

• Chinese Style Tofu with Prawn Egg Drop Sauce
• Steamed Tofu with Minced Pork
• Chinese Style Steamed Tofu with Egg