Stir-Fried Korean-Inspired Spicy Tofu with Sesame and Scallions

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-01 · Updated 2026-07-01

A vibrant Korean-style stir-fry featuring firm tofu cubes tossed in a spicy, savory sauce with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions for an umami-packed vegan dish. This Korean-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs cornstarch, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.

Ingredients

• 14 oz firm tofu, pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 scallions, sliced thin
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 1 tsp sesame oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Toss 14 oz pressed firm tofu cubes with 3 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until golden and crisp on all sides.
2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger to the skillet. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp Gochujang, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Pour this sauce over the tofu and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens and coats the tofu.
4. Step 4: Remove skillet from heat. Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the tofu and toss gently. Garnish with 3 sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.