5.0 from 6 votes
Agedashi Tofu
Agedashi Tofu is one of those magical dishes where a few simple ingredients come together in a harmonizing synergy that elevates the dish from humble to divine. It's made with blocks of soft tofu that are coated in a thin layer of potato starch before being lightly fried. Then, the tofu is served in a savory dashi broth with a few garnishes, like scallions, daikon, nori or ginger.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 small
Calories: 117 kcal
Course:
Appetizer
Cuisine:
Japanese
Ingredients
for tofu
- 400 grams soft tofu
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- vegetable oil (for frying)
- ¼ cup Potato Starch
for dashi
- 1 ½ cups dashi stock
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
garnishes
- 140 grams daikon (peeled)
- 1 scallion (finely chopped)
- 1 small pack katsuobushi (optional)
- shichimi togarashi to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the block of tofu in half one way, and then in half the other way to make 4 cubes. Sprinkle all sides of the tofu with the salt and then place the tofu on a wire-mesh tray or cooking rack to drain for 20-30 minutes. This step is very important as excess water will make the oil spatter when you fry it.
- While you wait for the tofu to drain, season the dashi, by putting the dashi, soy sauce, sugar and salt into a small saucepan and heating the mixture until the salt dissolves. Cover to prevent evaporation and keep it warm over low heat on a back burner.
- Grate the daikon using the rasp side of box grater (or a dedicated daikon grater if you have one), and then pour it into a small wire-mesh sieve, pressing on the solids to drain off any excess liquid.
- When you're ready to fry the tofu, add 1 ½ to 2 inches of vegetable oil into a heavy bottomed pot that's large enough to accommodate all the tofu and preheat to 360 degrees F (180 C). Prepare a wire rack lined with a triple layer of paper towels to transfer the tofu to when it's done frying. Add the potato starch to a plate.
- When your oil has reached the correct temperature, dry the tofu off thoroughly using paper towels, and then roll each block of tofu in the potato starch to coat every side with a thin even layer of starch. Dust off the excess starch and gently lower each block of tofu into the oil.
- Fry the tofu until the sides have crisped and then use chopsticks or tongs to gently roll each piece of tofu over onto the other side. The tofu is done when all sides are crisp and the tofu looks slightly puffy. It should not be browned.
- Transfer to the prepared rack and let it drain for a few moments before plating each block of tofu into a small bowl.
- Top with the katsuobushi, daikon, and scallions and then pour the hot dashi around the tofu. To add a dash of spice, sprinkle with shichimi togarashi.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
117kcal
(6%)
Carbohydrates
14g
(5%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
3g
(5%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
1mg
(0%)
Sodium
914mg
(38%)
Potassium
438mg
(13%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
30IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
9mg
(10%)
Calcium
74mg
(7%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4small
Amount Per Serving
Calories 117
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 117kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 1mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 914mg | 38% |
| Potassium | 438mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 30IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 74mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.