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Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐)

Mapo tofu is arguably the greatest Sichuan dish ever created. Silken tofu, minced pork, fermented black beans, doubanjiang, and the tingly numbing heat of Sichuan peppercorns — all in a sauce that’s complex, funky, and absolutely addictive.

It looks impressive. It’s secretly simple. The pantry does most of the work.

Servings
2-3
Prep Time
10
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Cook Time
20
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Ingredients
11
Total Time
30
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Pantry bits

  • Doubanjiang (spicy fermented bean paste)
  • Fermented black beans (douchi)
  • Sichuan peppercorns
  • Soy sauce

Ingredients

  • 400g silken or soft tofu (cut into 2cm cubes)
  • 150g minced pork
  • 1.5 tbsp doubanjiang (spicy fermented bean paste)
  • 1 tbsp fermented black beans (douchi), roughly chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 tsp ginger (minced)
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns (toasted and ground)
  • 200ml water or chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp cornflour mixed with 2 tbsp water

Instructions

  1. Prep the tofu
  2. Cut into 2cm cubes. Gently blanch in lightly salted boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain carefully. This helps it hold its shape.
  3. Brown the pork
  4. Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Add mince and cook, breaking it up, until browned.
  5. Build the base
  6. Add doubanjiang and fry for 1–2 minutes until deeply red and fragrant. Add garlic, ginger, and black beans. Stir for another minute.
  7. Add liquid
  8. Pour in stock or water. Add soy sauce and bring to a gentle simmer.
  9. Add tofu
  10. Gently slide in tofu cubes. Simmer for 5 minutes — don’t stir, just spoon the sauce over.
  11. Thicken
  12. Pour in cornflour slurry, swirling the pan gently to incorporate. Sauce should be glossy and coating.
  13. Finish
  14. Drizzle sesame oil over the top. Finish with a generous amount of ground Sichuan peppercorns and spring onion. Serve with rice.

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Notes:

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  • Blanching the tofu first helps it keep its shape in the sauce — worth the extra step
  • The Sichuan peppercorn numbing sensation (má) is the whole point — don’t skip it
  • Doubanjiang is the hero. Look for Pixian doubanjiang — it’s more complex than regular versions

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Other recipes

Japanese Butter Shoyu Rice
Oyakodon (Japanese Chicken & Egg Rice Bowl)
Tomato Egg Stir Fry-recipe
Tomato Egg Stir Fry (番茄捱鸡蛋)

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