Go Back
A plate of crispy, golden-brown homemade tauhu with dipping sauce, garnished with fresh herbs and crispy shallots, placed on a white kitchen counter

Best Tauhu Recipe: Crispy Indonesian Fried Tofu

4 from 1 vote
A foolproof crispy tauhu recipe with a silky interior and versatile sauce options, perfect for home cooks and tofu lovers. Includes tips from generations of family cooking!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 7 minutes
Total Time 52 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian Fusion, Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 400 g Firm tofu Pressed and cut into cubes
  • 2 tablespoon Light soy sauce For seasoning and sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dark soy sauce For deep flavor and color
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1 inch Ginger root Grated
  • 2 stalks Green onions Chopped
  • 3 tablespoon Cooking oil For frying
  • ½ teaspoon White pepper For seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Chili sauce For sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Sweet soy sauce For sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Oyster sauce For sauce
  • ½ teaspoon Sesame oil For aroma
  • ½ teaspoon Ground white pepper For final seasoning
  • (Optional) Minced meat For protein addition
  • (Optional) Mixed vegetables For extra texture
  • (Optional) Bean sprouts For freshness
  • (Optional) Crispy shallots For garnish
  • (Optional) Fresh herbs Like cilantro or Thai basil

Equipment

  • 1 Wok or deep pan For frying tauhu
  • 1 Spider strainer Helps remove tauhu from oil
  • 1 Sharp knife For cutting tofu evenly
  • 1 Tofu press Or heavy object for pressing
  • 1 Paper towels To dry tofu before frying
  • 2 Mixing bowls For sauce and coating tofu
  • 1 Small saucepan To heat sauce if needed
  • 1 Wooden spatula For tossing tauhu gently
  • 1 Oil splatter guard Prevents hot oil splatter

Method
 

Preparing the Tofu
  1. Press the tofu for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture.
  2. Cut into evenly sized cubes.
  3. Pat dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
  4. Lightly season with white pepper.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, chili sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and ground white pepper.
  2. Chop garlic, ginger, and green onions.
  3. Set aside for later use.
Frying the Tauhu
  1. Heat oil in a wok or deep pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Carefully add the tofu cubes, ensuring they don’t touch.
  3. Fry until golden brown, flipping occasionally.
  4. Remove with a spider strainer and drain on paper towels.
Tossing with Sauce & Aromatics
  1. In the same pan, remove excess oil, leaving about 1 tbsp.
  2. Sauté garlic, ginger, and green onions until fragrant.
  3. Add the sauce mixture and toss in the fried tauhu.
  4. Mix gently to coat everything evenly.
Garnishing & Serving
  1. Transfer to a serving plate.
  2. Garnish with crispy shallots, fresh herbs, or extra white pepper.
  3. Serve immediately with rice or as a side dish.