Korean Tofu Mandu
Tofu mandu is a staple in Korean vegetarian cuisine. Mandu was originally inspired by Chinese jiaozi, but the tofu-filled version is entirely a product of modern Korean gastronomy, offering a perfect alternative for those who love meat-free eating. The secret to perfect vegetarian mandu is the right proportion of ingredients: protein-rich tofu, crunchy cabbage, fresh carrots, and tangy ginger create a perfect harmony. Tip: For extra flavor, try grilling the tofu beforehand to make it even more distinctive. This recipe is an ideal choice for a light lunch or dinner, but it's also great for entertaining guests. The meat-free but nutritious dumplings are sure to please both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
Ingredients for this recipe
Shopping List (0) ▼
Shopping List (
Preparation Steps
1
Crumble the tofu in a bowl, then squeeze out the moisture using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. This prevents the filling from becoming too wet.
2
Finely chop the cabbage, salt it lightly, let it sit for 10 minutes, then squeeze out the excess moisture. Grate the carrot finely, and slice the green onions.
3
Grate the garlic and ginger. In a bowl, combine the tofu, cabbage, carrot, green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
4
Place a teaspoon of filling in the center of each mandu wrapper. Moisten one edge with water, fold in half, and crimp the edges to seal well. Tip: Do not overfill, or the filling may leak out.
5
Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the mandu in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the bottoms are golden brown.
6
Pour 100 ml of water into the skillet, cover, and steam for 5-6 minutes, until the water has completely evaporated. Then, remove the lid and cook for another 1-2 minutes, to crisp up the bottoms again.
7
Serve hot with a soy sauce dipping sauce, sprinkled with fresh chopped green onions or toasted sesame seeds.
8
Tip: Because of the tofu, this mandu is light yet satisfying – a perfect vegetarian alternative. Try them steamed as well!
