Japanese Stir Fried Tofu with Salmon
A comforting Japanese side dish made with crumbled tofu, salmon, vegetables, and egg, seasoned with shiro dashi, mirin, and soy sauce. It is simple, savory, and delicious with both rice and sake.
Iri dofu is a classic Japanese home style dish in which tofu is crumbled and gently stir fried with vegetables and seasonings. Adding salmon gives the dish extra richness and turns a simple tofu side dish into something satisfying enough to enjoy as part of a main meal.
Shiitake mushrooms add natural umami, while egg brings everything together with a soft, comforting texture. I especially recommend finishing it with plenty of sliced green onions. It is affordable, easy to make, and equally delicious served with steamed rice or a glass of sake.
What you'll need
- 350 g firm tofu
- 1/3 carrot
- 3 shiitake mushrooms
- 1 salmon fillet
- 1 egg
- Sliced green onions, to taste
- 2 tbsp shiro dashi
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
How to make it
Drain the tofu well. For a quick method, wrap it in paper towels, place it on a microwave safe plate, and microwave at 600 W for 3 minutes. Carefully replace the damp paper towels a few times to remove excess moisture. Julienne the carrot and thinly slice the shiitake mushrooms after removing the stems. Cook the salmon, remove the skin and bones, then flake the flesh.
Heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the tofu, breaking it into bite sized pieces with your hands, along with the carrot and shiitake mushrooms. Stir fry until the vegetables soften and excess moisture from the tofu has mostly evaporated.
Add the flaked salmon, shiro dashi, mirin, and soy sauce. Stir well so the seasonings are evenly absorbed. Pour in the beaten egg and continue stirring until the egg is softly cooked and the mixture has a loose, scrambled texture. Turn off the heat, fold in the sliced green onions, and serve.
Tips
- Drain the tofu thoroughly so the finished dish stays flavorful rather than watery.
- Cook the salmon before adding it and remove all skin and bones for a soft, easy to eat texture.
- Add plenty of green onions at the end for freshness and a pleasant contrast to the savory tofu and salmon.
What to drink with it
