Dubu Kimchi (Pan Fried Tofu with Stir Fried Kimchi)
Crisp pan fried tofu served with hot, savoury stir fried kimchi and pork, a classic Korean bar snack and home dinner.
Made with Kimchi. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.56 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Slice the tofu into 8 slabs about 1.5 cm thick. Pat very dry with kitchen paper and sprinkle lightly with salt.
- 2
Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large non stick frying pan over a medium high heat. Fry the tofu for 3 to 4 minutes each side until golden and crisp. Lift onto a warm plate.
7 min - 3
Use your ready made kimchi (see the base recipe), chopped into bite sized pieces. In the same pan, fry the pork belly with the remaining vegetable oil for 5 minutes until browned and the fat has rendered.
5 min - 4
Add the kimchi, sugar and tamari. Stir fry for 5 to 6 minutes until the kimchi softens and darkens slightly and smells rich. Check the pork is cooked through.
5 min 30 s - 5
Take off the heat, stir in the sesame oil and half the spring onions.
- 6
Serve the tofu slices with the hot stir fried kimchi piled alongside. Finish with sesame seeds and the remaining spring onions. Good with steamed rice.
Tips
- Dry the tofu well so it crisps instead of steaming. Pressing for 15 minutes under a heavy plate helps.
- Old, sour kimchi suits stir frying best because it mellows into a deep savoury flavour.
- For a lighter version, leave out the pork and cook the kimchi in the tofu pan with a little extra sesame oil.
Storing and freezing
Keep the tofu and kimchi separately in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat the kimchi until steaming hot, and re-crisp the tofu in a hot pan. Not suited to freezing.
Questions
Can I use silken tofu?
Only if you boil it gently for serving. Pan frying needs firm tofu, which holds its shape when browned.
Can I leave out the pork?
Yes. The tofu and kimchi alone make a good light meal. Fry the kimchi in sesame oil for extra richness.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, using gluten free tamari and gluten free kimchi from the base recipe. Check the labels on any bought kimchi, as some contain wheat.
What does dubu kimchi go with?
Steamed rice, or soju and beer in Korea, where it is a classic anju (drinking snack). It also works as a main with a side of greens.
More made with kimchi
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.