Sapo Tahu (Indonesian Claypot Tofu with Chicken and Prawns)

Sapo tahu is a Chinese-Indonesian restaurant classic, named after the sapo (claypot) it's traditionally served in. Golden slices of tofu are simmered with chicken, prawns and vegetables in a savoury, silky gravy of oyster sauce and stock.

It's comforting, mild and full of texture, and it's just as good made in a wok or deep frying pan as in a claypot.

Adaptation note: restaurants usually use egg tofu (tahu Jepang), which you'll find in tubes at Asian grocers. Firm tofu works well if that's what you have. We finish it in a wok rather than a claypot to keep it quick.

Servings
4
Prep Time
10
mins
Cook Time
20
mins
Ingredients
16
Total Time
30
mins

Ingredients

  • 300g egg tofu or 400g firm tofu, cut into 2cm-thick slices
  • 3 tbsp neutral oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1/2 brown onion, sliced
  • 200g chicken thigh fillet, thinly sliced
  • 150g green (raw) prawns, peeled and deveined
  • 1 carrot, thinly sliced
  • 100g button or shiitake mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup (250ml) chicken stock
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
  • 2 baby bok choy, halved lengthways
  • 1 tbsp cornflour mixed with 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 spring onion, sliced

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a wok or deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the tofu for 2 minutes each side until golden, then set aside.
  2. Add the remaining oil and fry the garlic and onion for 1 minute. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 3 minutes until it's no longer pink.
  3. Add the prawns, carrot and mushrooms and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
  4. Pour in the stock, oyster sauce, soy sauce and white pepper and bring to a simmer. Add the bok choy and cook for 2 minutes.
  5. Return the tofu and simmer for 2 minutes, then stir in the cornflour mixture and cook until the gravy thickens and turns glossy.
  6. Drizzle with sesame oil, scatter with spring onion and serve hot, in a claypot if you have one, with steamed rice.

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