Korean-Style Kimchi Tofu Tacos
These Korean-style Kimchi Tofu Tacos are a must-try for a spicy food and tofu lover! These tacos are inspired by Korean flavors and are so delicious. Soft tacos layered with kimchi, spicy crispy tofu, a creamy gochujang sauce, pickled veggies and served with a sweet chili dipping sauce. The sauce for the tofu is so flavorful and made with gochujang soy, ginger, garlic, gochugaru and everything bagel seasoning for extra crunch! It’s got crunch, creaminess, spiciness and so much flavor! The cucumbers add freshness to every bite. The sweet chili dipping sauce brings it all together. If you think, tofu is bland, this recipe will change your mind.
Happy Cooking!
Servings: 8-10 tacos
Prep Time: 40-45 mins
Cooking Time: 20-30 mins
Total Time: 1.5 hours
Ingredients:
Pickled Veggies:
1/2 cup Cucumber peeled and cut into thin slices
1/3 cup grated carrots
1 tsp Chili flakes- 1/2 tsp if you use gochugaru
3 tbsp Vinegar
1 tsp Sugar
1/2 cup water
Creamy Gochujang Sauce:
1.5-2 tbsp Gochujang
1/4 cup Mayonnaise
2 tbsp water
Tofu:
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp Ginger paste
1 tbsp Garlic paste
1.5 tbsp Gochujang
1 tbsp Soy sauce
1 tsp Vinegar
1/4 cup chopped scallions
2 tsp Brown sugar
1/2-1 tsp Gochugaru
1/2-1 Salt as per taste
1/4 tsp Pepper
1 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
12-14 oz (extra) firm Tofu
1/2 tsp Salt
2-3 tbsp Cornstarch
Assembly:
2/3-3/4 cup Kimchi
8-10 soft (corn) tacos
Sweet chili dipping sauce- don’t skip it!
Directions:
Prepare sweet chili dipping sauce, if you don’t have it already!
In a pan on medium heat add 1/3 cup sugar, 3 tbsp chili vinegar, 1/3 cup water, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp sriracha, 1 tbsp chili flakes, 1 tsp garlic paste, 1 tsp Ginger paste, 2 tsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp corn starch. Mix it together.
Cook it for 4-5 mins till the vinegar evaporates and the sauce slightly thickens. Let it cool and store in an airtight container. It can stay in the fridge for 3-4 months.
Pickled Veggies-
In a bowl add thinly sliced cucumbers, grated carrots, vinegar, water, sugar, and chili flakes and mix. Make sure the veggies are covered with the liquid. Cover the bowl and keep it refrigerated for a 1-3 hours. You want them a little crunchy.
Creamy Gochujang Sauce:
In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, gochujang, and water, and keep aside. Keep refrigerated.
Tofu:
Preheat the oven or airfryer. Airfryer-380F, Oven to 410F. Or oil to pan fry or deep fry as you like.
Wrap tofu with a paper towel to remove excess water.
Cut it into 1.5 inch cubes and add them to a mixing bowl. Add corn starch and salt.
Toss it all together till the cubes are covered.
If you are pan frying, cook each side till crispy.
If you are deep frying, fry till golden brown.
If you are airfrying or baking in the oven, spray oil over the cubes.
Airfry at 390F for 10-12 mins, flipping it midway.
Bake in the oven at 410F for 12-15 mins, flipping it midway.
Tofu sauce:
In a pan on medium heat add sesame oil.
Once warm, add ginger and garlic paste and cook it for 2-4 mins till fragrant.
Add soy sauce, gochujang and vinegar and cook for 3-4 mins.
Add chopped scallions, brown sugar, everything bagel seasoning, gochugaru, salt and sugarand mix, Cook it together for about 5 mins till it thickens.
Let it cool slightly and then add crisped tofu and toss it in it till coated well.
Assemble:
Warm tacos slightly.
Layer with kimchi in the middle.
Top with Tofu.
Drizzle some creamy gochujang sauce over it.
Top with pickled veggies.
Serve with the chili dipping sauce and enjoy!
Notes/Tips:
You can prepare the creamy gochujang and sweet chili dipping sauce from before.
Gochugaru is spicier than regular chili flakes so use as per taste.
My preferred method of cooking tofu is to airfry it.
Let the sauce cool slightly before adding tofu. If you add it when it’s very hot, it will lose its crispness.
Use any street style size soft taco you like. I prefer corn tacos for this recipe.
Use vegan mayo to keep this recipe vegan. Use maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
If you don’t have access to store-bought everything bagel seasoning, click here for the recipe.
