Sweet Miso Marinaded Tofu Recipe

It goes without saying that a Japanese meal is not complete without a soy-related component. Soy sauce, tofu, and miso paste, all derivatives of soy bean processed ingredients are known to be a healthy source of protein and seasoning (minus the sodium added).

If you've noticed, tofu doesn't really have a prominent taste. What is favored is the ability of Tofu to absorb the flavor that it is immersed in. They're often bathe in strong flavors or sauces, and act as agents to balance seasonings while offering texture variation. Many times, tofu is a side component to a dish, complementing other featured proteins or vegetables. However, leave it to the Japanese who've found a way to define tofu and escalate the ingredient into the spotlight.

This recipe is one of our favorite dish to complete our izakaya cook outs. Friends who have tried the marinaded tofu loved the refreshing flavor and the texture of the nigari tofu. It's probably analogous to miso cream cheese, almost spreadable like soft cheese, but still has the jiggle of a tofu. What's important is that you don't substitute the tofu. It has to be "nigari" tofu (alluding to the firming agent, seawater) which you can actually find in most Whole Foods or local Asian Store. The tofu must be pressed at least one day in advance to extract the water content (tofu has a lot water in its structure!).

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Sweet Miso Marinaded Tofu

Ingredients

Prep Time: 30 min
Marinade Time: 2 days
Course:  Appetizer
Serving: 2

1 package nigari tofu
​4 tbsp aka miso
1 cup mirin
1 green onion, julienne (for garnish)

How to make it?

1. Open the nigari tofu per the instruction on the package. Lay the tofu on a plate with the large surface area facing up. Take another plate (with weight), place it on top of the tofu. Let the tofu sit in the fridge for 1 day to extract the water content.

2. Once the tofu has been pressed for 1 day, remove the residual water.

3. To make the marinade, combine the aka miso and mirin. Mix well.

4. Get a container with a lid that the tofu can be marinaded in. We recommend using a plastic container, tupperware, or whatever works for you and your fridge.

5. Pour half of the marinade into the container. Place the pressed tofu in the middle of the marinade sauce. Pour the rest of the marinade and make sure the tofu is covered well. Seal the lid and let it sit in your fridge for at least 1 day.

6. To serve, slice the tofu into desired portions. Garnish with julienne green onions. 

Let us know if you enjoy this dish~Oishi!