Agedashi Tofu – Lightly Fried Soft Tofu in Warm Dashi Broth

Soft tofu is lightly dusted, fried until crisp, and served in a warm dashi-soy-mirin broth. Topped with grated daikon and scallions, this classic Japanese starter is light yet satisfying.

Total
30 min
Servings
2 servings
Difficulty
Medium
Calories · per serving
240 kcal
Ecem Akkaba

Written by

Ecem Akkaba · Dietitian

Dietitian, graduate of İstanbul Medipol University. She develops the recipes and nutrition values on FitZen.

Updated:

Agedashi Tofu – Lightly Fried Soft Tofu in Warm Dashi Broth

In short

Agedashi Tofu – Lightly Fried Soft Tofu in Warm Dashi Broth contains 240 calories per serving: 14 g protein, 18 g carbohydrate and 12 g fat. It takes 30 minutes in total and makes 2 servings.

About this recipe

Agedashi tofu is one of the best-loved izakaya and home dishes in Japanese cuisine. When soft tofu is coated in a thin layer of starch and fried, the outside turns crisp while the inside stays creamy.

The tofu is set into a warm dashi-soy-mirin broth and finished with grated daikon radish, scallions, and an optional pinch of ginger. The umami-rich sauce complements the simplicity of the tofu with wonderful depth.

As a plant-based protein, tofu is low in calories and saturated fat, making it ideal for balanced eating. Fried lightly and served in sensible portions, this classic dish becomes a light yet satisfying option.

Method

  1. 1

    Place the tofu between paper towels with a light weight on top and drain for 15 minutes, then cut into 4-5 cm cubes.

  2. 2

    In a small saucepan, combine the dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, bring to a simmer, then lower the heat and keep warm.

  3. 3

    Grate the daikon and gently squeeze out excess water; prepare the scallion and ginger.

  4. 4

    Gently pat the tofu cubes dry with paper towel and coat each side thinly with cornstarch.

  5. 5

    Heat the oil to 170-180°C and fry the tofu in batches for 2-3 minutes until the outside is lightly golden.

  6. 6

    Remove the fried tofu with a slotted spoon and drain excess oil on paper towel.

  7. 7

    Place the hot tofu into serving bowls and pour the warm dashi broth over the top.

  8. 8

    Top with grated daikon, scallion, and ginger, sprinkle with katsuobushi if desired, and serve immediately.

Tips

  • Draining the tofu well reduces splattering during frying and improves the texture.
  • For a lighter version, you can shallow-fry the tofu in a pan or use an air fryer.
  • Use kombu and shiitake stock instead of dashi to make the broth fully vegan.

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