Removing the excess moisture from the tofu is the key to achieving crispy fried tofu.

You can use any firm tofu. I bought mine from a Korean supermarket but I also use it from Waitrose. I find Waitrose’s tofu is much firmer than most Korean ones.

Lay more kitchen towels or a slice of bread on top of the tofu, gently pressing down with your hand to remove the extra moisture.

Leave a small weight on top and soak up any water from the sides.

Remove the paper towels or break and then repeat with new ones to soak up and soak out the moisture as much as possible without crushing or crumbling the tofu block.

Again remove excess moisture using more towels or sliced bread, patting the tofu gently and drain away the water.

Season the tofu cubes by sprinkling a pinch of black pepper and salt.

Prepare the sauce fully and then return to the tofu.

Add 4 tablespoons of Korean flour (or my alternative) to a shallow bowl and coat each tofu cube by rolling carefully in the flour then remove and set aside for 5 minutes.

Repeat this process twice adding more flour each time.

Try to avoid the tofu cubes sticking to each other.

When the oil is heated to at least 170-180 degrees C, carefully drop the coated tofu cubes into the hot oil for 1 or 2 minutes stirring occasionally until the coated tofu cubes become a light brown.

Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Fry again and drain twice for one minute each time until the cubes are crisp and golden brown.

You have the choice of serving the sauce over the tofu on the side for dipping.
I like to provide both options so that there are two different textures available.

Sprinkle the some pine nuts or chopped pistachio and chopped chives on top of the sauce and serve immediately.

Cooking time: Less than 20 minutes

Serves: 2-4

Ingredients

• Teakim garu (Mixed starch flour for frying) or alternatively flour (4tbs) +corn starch (4tbs)+ potatoes starch (4tbs)  + icing sugar (1ts) + cooking salt (1/2 ts)+  a pinch of white ground pepper + ground ginger powder + dried garlic powder
• Firm Tofu
• Vegetable oil

For the Yangnyeom ( sweet and spicy sauce)

Vegetables for the sauce

• 15 g finely chopped mango or apple
• 15 g finely chopped leeks
• 7 g finely chopped shallots
• 1 teaspoon grated garlic
• ½ teaspoon grated Thai chilli red peppers

Water and seasoning for the sauce

• ½ tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon powder ginger
• 100 ml water
• 20 g tomato ketchup
• 2 tablespoon golden syrup
• 1 tablespoon red wine
• 1 tablespoon Korean chilli paste

Thickening for the sauce

• 1 teaspoon corn flour
• 1 tablespoon water