Pan-Seared Sesame Tofu with Spicy Korean Gochujang Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-14 · Updated 2026-07-14

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Crisp pan-seared tofu glazed with a spicy and umami-rich gochujang sauce, perfect for a flavorful vegan Korean-inspired meal. This Korean-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 32 minutes, pairs extra-firm tofu, sesame oil, gochujang (Korean chili paste) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 12 min Serves 3 Korean cuisine 250 cal/serving

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Ingredients

14 oz extra-firm tofu
2 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 stalks green onions, sliced
1 tbsp sesame seeds

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Instructions

Step 1: Drain and press 14 oz extra-firm tofu for 15 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cut into 1-inch thick slices.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp sesame oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add tofu slices and cook for 4 minutes on each side until golden and crispy.
Step 3: While tofu cooks, whisk together 2 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a small bowl until smooth.
Step 4: Lower heat to medium, pour the sauce over the tofu in the skillet, and cook for 2 minutes, spooning the sauce over tofu to glaze it and let it thicken slightly.
Step 5: Remove tofu from heat, garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.