Silken Tofu with Minced Pork and Bean Paste (Taucu)
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 2
This silken tofu with minced pork and bean paste recipe pairs soft, silky tofu with a savoury minced pork sauce. My dad made this dish very often and I enjoyed it very much.
Watch How to Make It
Equipment
What Is Fermented Bean Paste (Taucu)?
Taucu, also known as fermented soybean paste, is a fermented paste made from soybeans, salt, and water. It has a thick, chunky texture with whole or partly broken-down soybeans still visible, and a deep, salty, umami flavour. It’s a staple Chinese cooking and commonly used for braises, stir-fries, and steamed dishes. You’ll find it sold in jars at most Asian grocery stores, sometimes labelled taucu, tau cheo, or fermented bean sauce.
Serves 2
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 150 grams minced pork (150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 tablespoon fermented bean paste (taucu) (1 汤匙豆酱) (buy from Shopee and Lazada)
- 1/2 tablespoon light soy sauce (半汤匙生抽) (buy from Shopee, Lazada and Amazon)
- 125 ml water (1/2 cup) (125毫升(1/2 杯))
- cornstarch mixture (1.5 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water) (玉米淀粉混合液（1.5茶匙玉米淀粉 + 1汤匙水）)
- Pinch of sugar (少许糖)
- 1-2 tablespoons cooking oil (1-2汤匙食用油)
Pork Marinade (猪肉腌料)
- 1/2 tablespoon light soy sauce (半汤匙生抽)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (1茶匙玉米淀粉)
- 1/2 tablespoon cooking oil (1/2汤匙食用油)
Garnish (装饰)
- 1 sprig spring onion, diced (1 根小葱，切丁)
How to Make Silken Tofu with Minced Pork and Bean Paste
Step 1 — Marinate the Pork
In a bowl, mix the minced pork with light soy sauce, cornstarch, and cooking oil. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Step 2 — Prepare the Tofu
Carefully release the silken tofu from its packaging and cut it into bite-sized cubes.
Step 3 — Sauté the Aromatics
Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or pan. Once hot, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and the edges turn slightly golden. Add the fermented bean paste (taucu) and sauté until fragrant.
Step 4 — Cook the Pork
Add the marinated minced pork and cook until it’s no longer pink.
Step 5 — Add the Sauce and Tofu
Once the pork is cooked, add the water, light soy sauce, a pinch of sugar, and the cornstarch mixture, then gently add the tofu cubes right away. Mix everything in carefully so the tofu doesn’t break apart, and let it cook until the sauce thickens and coats the tofu.
Tip: Give the cornstarch mixture a stir right before adding it in — cornstarch settles quickly, and you want it evenly mixed so the sauce thickens properly.
Tip: Silken tofu is delicate. Fold it in gently with a spoon rather than stirring.
Step 6 — Serve
Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with diced spring onions.
Tips for the Best Silken Tofu with Minced Pork and Bean Paste
- Stir the cornstarch mixture before adding it. It settles quickly at the bottom, so give it a mix right before pouring it in or the sauce won’t thicken evenly.
- Handle the tofu gently. Silken tofu breaks apart easily, so fold it in with a light hand instead of stirring.
- Sauté the bean paste until fragrant. This step brings out its full flavour, so don’t rush past it.
- Taste before adding extra salt. Fermented bean paste is already salty, so check the sauce before seasoning further.
What to Serve with Silken Tofu with Minced Pork and Bean Paste
This dish is best served over steamed rice to soak up the sauce. Pair it with a stir-fried green vegetable like bok choy or kai lan, and a simple protein dish such as Steamed Fish with Garlic Soy Sauce or Braised Chicken with Black Fungus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use firm tofu instead of silken tofu?
You can, but the texture will be firmer and less silky. Silken tofu gives this dish its soft, delicate texture, so it’s worth seeking out if you can.
What can I use instead of fermented bean paste (taucu)?
Yellow bean sauce is the closest substitute if you can’t find taucu — both are savoury, salty fermented soybean pastes with a similar depth of flavour.
Can I substitute the minced pork?
Yes, minced chicken or minced beef both work well in place of pork.
How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The tofu will continue to soften as it sits, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.
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.
You Might Also Like:
- Silken Tofu with Minced Pork
- Steamed Tofu with Minced Pork
- Chinese Style Tofu with Prawn Egg Drop Sauce
Silken Tofu with Minced Pork and Bean Paste (Taucu)
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 150 grams minced pork (150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 tablespoon fermented bean paste (taucu) (1 汤匙豆酱)
- 1/2 tablespoon light soy sauce (半汤匙生抽)
- 125 ml water (1/2 cup) (125毫升(1/2 杯))
- cornstarch mixture (1.5 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water) (玉米淀粉混合液（1.5茶匙玉米淀粉 + 1汤匙水）)
- Pinch of sugar (少许糖)
- 1-2 tablespoons cooking oil (1-2汤匙食用油)
Pork Marinade (猪肉腌料)
- 1/2 tablespoon light soy sauce (半汤匙生抽)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (1茶匙玉米淀粉)
- 1/2 tablespoon cooking oil (1/2汤匙食用油)
Garnish (装饰)
- 1 sprig spring onion, diced (1 根小葱，切丁)
Instructions
Step 1 — Marinate the Pork
- In a bowl, mix the minced pork with light soy sauce, cornstarch, and cooking oil. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Step 2 — Prepare the Tofu
- Carefully release the silken tofu from its packaging and cut it into bite-sized cubes.
Step 3 — Sauté the Aromatics
- Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or pan. Once hot, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and the edges turn slightly golden. Add the fermented bean paste (taucu) and sauté until fragrant.
Step 4 — Cook the Pork
- Add the marinated minced pork and cook until it’s no longer pink.
Step 5 — Add the Sauce and Tofu
- Once the pork is cooked, add the water, light soy sauce, a pinch of sugar, and the cornstarch mixture, then gently add the tofu cubes right away. Mix everything in carefully so the tofu doesn’t break apart, and let it cook until the sauce thickens and coats the tofu.
- Tip: Give the cornstarch mixture a stir right before adding it in — cornstarch settles quickly, and you want it evenly mixed so the sauce thickens properly.
- Tip: Silken tofu is delicate. Fold it in gently with a spoon rather than stirring.
Step 6 — Serve
- Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with diced spring onions.
Video
Notes
- Stir the cornstarch mixture before adding it. It settles quickly at the bottom, so give it a mix right before pouring it in or the sauce won’t thicken evenly.
- Handle the tofu gently. Silken tofu breaks apart easily, so fold it in with a light hand instead of stirring.
- Sauté the bean paste until fragrant. This step brings out its full flavour, so don’t rush past it.
- Taste before adding extra salt. Fermented bean paste is already salty, so check the sauce before seasoning further.
