The BEST Korean Tofu Soup Made In 15 Minutes (So Soft and So Delicious)

This Korean tofu soup recipe is overflowing with flavor. It combines soft tofu - that's been marinated in soy sauce and honey - with tender-cooked vegetables and a deliciously spiced broth. Along with being absolutely delicious though it's so easy to make. In fact, you can have it made and on the table in just about 15 minutes!

The Best Korean Tofu Soup

If you've never had spicy Korean tofu soup before, then get ready to fall in love with this recipe! This soup is a flavorful spin on a traditional Korean soft tofu soup, and the results speak for themselves.

I mean, how could you not love slurping on some umami-filled broth that's loaded with chicken, mushrooms, and kimchi?!

And what's even better is just how quickly it all comes together. Just 3 easy-to-follow steps are all you have to follow to make it. You basically just have to cook the tofu, cook the veggies, then let everything simmer in a pot.

Sounds pretty easy, right?

It's honestly so, so simple. And while the spicy Korean tofu soup is cooking, you can easily make a quick side dish to go with it - like this potato mochi or these Din Tai Fung cucumbers.

Ingredients

You might be surprised that this Korean tofu stew is made with such basic ingredients. Honestly, you might even have the majority of them on hand already! 

Anyway, here's what you'll need to make spicy Korean tofu soup:

• 1 package soft tofu, cut into thick slices
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tbsp. sesame oil
• ½ cup green onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 ½ cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup chicken, cooked or other protein of choice (optional)
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• ¼ cup kimchee

Pretty simple, eh?

By the way, you can use a lot of these ingredients to make another one of my favorite Korean recipes, this spicy Korean ramen. So, if you've got some stuff left over after making this soup, give that a shot next.

Ingredient Substitutions And Suggestions

Now, I always make this silky soft tofu soup with the ingredients listed above, but you can easily make some changes to it, and it'll turn out just as delicious.

With that said, for the broth, I always like to use vegetable broth since it has a subtle flavor and pairs particularly well with the cooked veggies in this recipe. But, if you'd like to substitute it with another broth - like chicken broth, beef broth, or even anchovy stock - you totally can.

Also, as you may have noticed, I used some chicken in this soup for a bit of added protein. But, you can add any kind of extra protein that you want. You can use pork belly, ground meat, or shrimp, all of them work great.

By the way, just so you know, this is only a slightly spicy soup. So, if you want to increase the spiciness, you can add more kimchi juice, sriracha sauce, Korean red pepper flakes, or Korean chili flakes to up the heat.

With all that said, this soup is easily customizable, so don't be afraid to put your own spin on it! 

How To Make Korean Tofu Soup

Now onto the fun part, it's time to make some Korean tofu soup!

Again, it could not be easier to make this Korean soft tofu stew. It's a simple 3 step process that involves just cooking the tofu and veggies, making the broth, and assembling everything together.

Anyway, let's stop wasting time and get cooking!

Step 1: Cook The Soft Tofu

First, you'll marinate the tofu before cooking it.

So, to do that, you'll want to add the honey and soy sauce to a bowl and mix them until combined. Then, you'll want to put the tofu slices in the bowl and let it marinate in the fridge for a few hours. Just keep in mind that the longer you let the tofu marinate, the more flavor it will have.

Anyway, once your tofu is done marinating, you'll want to heat a Dutch oven - or a large pot - over medium heat and add the sesame oil to it. Next, you'll want to add the tofu slices to it and cook 'em for a few minutes on both sides until it's golden brown.

Step 2: Cook The Veggies

So, now that the tofu is cooked, you can set it aside for later.

Then, after you've done that, you'll want to add the green onions, chopped garlic, and mushrooms to the Dutch oven and cook everything until it's browned and nicely caramelized. Once the veggies are looking good you can add the cooked chicken - or other protein of choice - into it along with the vegetable broth.

Then, give everything a stir to combine, and let it simmer in the pot for about 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: Assemble And Serve

Once your veggies are tender, and the broth is hot, you can serve your soup in individual bowls.

Finally, you can top your soup with tofu slices, kimchee, and sliced green onions and enjoy it!

How to Store Korean Tofu Soup

This recipe for Korean tofu soup will make about 2 servings. And, honestly, I think it tastes even better leftover, so you might want to double - or triple - the recipe!

Speaking of leftovers, if you end up with some, you can store them in an airtight container and keep 'em in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. By the way, I recommend storing the tofu in a separate airtight container in the fridge. It'll just keep better stored separately, and it'll last for about 6 days stored as such.

Alternatively, if you want to store your Korean tofu soup for even longer you can totally freeze it and it will stay good for up to 3 months. Also, if you're going to freeze it, I recommend just freezing the broth and re-cooking the tofu slices to add on top after the soup is reheated.

How To Reheat Korean Tofu Soup

Now, if you have any leftover soup, you'll definitely want to warm it up. I mean, soup is best enjoyed hot, right?!

So, with that said, to reheat your leftover Korean tofu soup, I recommend using the stovetop. Simply place your leftovers in a saucepan over medium heat and stir frequently until it has fully warmed through. 

As for the tofu, you can reheat it by putting it on a skillet over medium heat and cooking it on both sides for a few minutes until warm. 

Wrapping It Up

Well, that's how to make Korean tofu soup at home in just a few simple steps!

Not only is this Korean tofu soup healthy, but it's also ridiculously delicious.

Honestly though, the best part about this soup recipe is how quick and easy it is to make.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this Korean soup recipe as much as I/we do.

As always, if you give it a try, be sure to leave us a comment below and let us know how it went.

More Easy Recipes

If you're looking for more delicious recipes filled with umami goodness we've got a bunch of other recipes you might want to try next.

Check these out:

• Udon soup
• Wor wonton soup
• Shrimp soup
• Spicy miso ramen
• Sushi bake

Also, for more tasty recipes, don't forget to follow us along on Tiktok, YouTube, and Instagram. We post new ones on them every single day.

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