5 from 21 votes
Ma Po Tofu (麻婆豆腐)
Ma Po Tofu is a classic Chinese dish featuring ground pork and soft tofu in a richly flavored sauce. The sauce is built from garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and homemade Sichuan-style chili oil, creating a spicy yet savory profile. The tofu cubes are gently incorporated to maintain their delicate texture, while green onions add fresh brightness on top. This combination yields a tender, boldly spiced dish that works well as a hearty main or alongside steamed rice.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
156 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Asian, Chinese
Ingredients
- ½ pound ground pork
- 1 block tofu 19 oz, soft
- 3 ticks green onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- ½ tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1.5 tablespoons Chili oil (Homemade Sichuan style)
- ½ cup water
THICKEN SAUCE:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Minced 4 cloves of garlic.
- Cut 3 sticks of green onion.
- Cut a block of soft tofu (19 oz) into cubes and set them aside.
- Add ½ tablespoon of vegetable oil into a non-stick pan. After that, turn on the heat to medium high and stir fry minced garlic a little bit.
- Next, add ½ pound of ground pork and stir fry or loose up ground pork.
- The following, add ¼ teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1.5 tablespoons of chili oil (homemade), ½ cup of water and keep stir fried until the pork is cooked.
- In a small container, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water.
- After, pour cornstarch mixture with the pork and keep stir frying until the sauce is thickened.
- Lastly, add cut tofu and be gentle. Do not stir too hard because the soft tofu will break easily and cook it for a minute.
- Top with green onion from step 2 and ready to serve.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Adjust the chili oil quantity to control spiciness; 1.5 tablespoons suits medium heat levels.
- Soft tofu is preferred for its smooth texture; handle gently to avoid breaking when mixing.
- Use homemade Sichuan chili oil for its aromatic flavor, or substitute with another chili oil if unavailable.
Nutrition Information
Calories
156kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
3g
(1%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Trans Fat
0.01g
(1%)
Cholesterol
27mg
(9%)
Sodium
451mg
(19%)
Potassium
128mg
(3%)
Fiber
0.1g
(0%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
8IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
13mg
(1%)
Iron
0.5mg
(3%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 156
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 156kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 3g | 1% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 27mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 451mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 128mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 0.1g | 0% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 8IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 13mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.5mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.