Agedashi Tofu
Crisp tofu in a warm dashi broth.
Ingredients
- 400 g Firm tofu
- 60 g Potato starch
- 150 ml Mentsuyu (noodle base)
- 300 ml Neutral oil
- 2 Scallions (optional)
- ¼ White radish (optional)
Method
- Cube the tofu and coat it in potato starch.
- Grate the daikon and thinly slice the scallions.
- Warm the mentsuyu with a little water in a small saucepan until steaming.
- Fry the tofu in hot oil until crisp and golden on all sides, then drain.
- Sit the tofu in the warm broth and top with the grated daikon and scallion.
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About Agedashi Tofu
This is a streamlined take on agedashi tofu, the Japanese appetizer of lightly fried tofu resting in a warm, savory broth. Where the classic version simmers its own dashi from kelp and bonito, this one reaches for mentsuyu — a bottled noodle base already built on dashi, soy, and mirin — to get the same sweet-savory broth on the table in a fraction of the time. It's the weeknight answer to a dish that usually asks for stock-making, and it uses firm tofu, which holds its shape and fries more forgivingly than the silken kind.
The appeal is the same contrast that makes the original so good: a thin potato-starch coating fried crisp and golden, then set into steaming broth so the crust softens at its edges while the inside stays warm and yielding. Grated daikon and thinly sliced scallion go on top, adding a clean, faintly peppery freshness that keeps the dish from feeling heavy. Because there's no dashi to build, this is genuinely fast — a satisfying starter or a light meal on its own, and a good place to start if you've never fried tofu before. Serve it as soon as the broth and tofu come together, while the coating is still at its best.
Agedashi Tofu: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Agedashi Tofu?
A serving has about 239 calories — 11.8g protein, 22.2g carbs, 12.5g fat, 2.5g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Agedashi Tofu gluten-free?
As written, no — it contains Mentsuyu (noodle base). You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for that ingredient to make it gluten-free.
Do I need every ingredient to make Agedashi Tofu?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out scallions, white radish — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Agedashi Tofu make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.