Bean Curd Knots in Spicy Chili Oil - Full of Plants (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read ourdisclosure policy.

⭐️ Why You Should Try This Recipe

• Juicy and chewy. If you have never tried Yuba (bean curd), you will get addicted to its satisfying chewiness and slightly stretchy texture. It’s like level-up pasta!
• Packed with bold flavors. With plenty of garlic, ginger, and chili flakes, the chili oil brings a ton of flavor to every bite! It’s perfectly spicy, a bit sweet, and so savory!
• Quick and easy to make. 35 minutes is all you will need to create this impressive Chinese-inspired dish! Plus, it requires minimal ingredients.

📘 What are Bean Curds

Bean curd skin, also known as yuba or tofu skin, is basically the skin that forms on the surface when you boil soy milk for a few minutes. It is then removed from the milk and usually dried. The first reference to tofu skin appeared in a Chinese book around 1578.

Yuba can be found in many different forms: sheets, strips, or even knots. While it’s usually sold dried, it can also be found fresh in the refrigerated section of some Asian supermarkets.

🌶️ Ingredient Notes

These bean curd knots take less than 35 minutes to prepare and require only 10 ingredients. Here is what you will need:

• Dried bean curd knots – Also known as tofu skin, you can find bean curd knots sold dried online or in Asian supermarkets. Make sure you are getting the knots, not the strips.
• Oil – Use a neutral oil like grapeseed, canola, or avocado oil.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic works best; do not substitute with garlic powder.
• Ginger – Again, use fresh ginger for a citrusy and piquant aroma.
• Red pepper flakes – For spiciness and subtle smokiness. You can use red pepper flakes or Gochugaru, which is Korean chili powder. The latter will yield slightly less spicy oil.
• Sesame seeds – Preferably raw sesame seeds since we will be toasting them in the oil.
• Soy sauce – For saltiness and umami. Use coconut aminos if you want to make this recipe gluten-free.
• Maple syrup – To balance with the saltiness and spiciness. You can use maple syrup, agave, or honey if you are not vegan.
• Lime juice – Lime juice helps elevate the overall flavor by bringing freshness and tanginess.

🥣 How to Cook Bean Curd Knots

1. Cook the bean curds. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the bean curds and cook for about 2 minutes or until tender. Note: It might take a bit longer depending on the brand used, so ensure you check the package instructions.
2. Drain and set aside. Once the bean curds are tender, drain them and rinse them under cold water. Squeeze them well to remove as much liquid as possible.

In the meantime, prepare the chili oil that brings a ton of flavor to this dish:

1. Sauté the aromatics. Heat the oil in a skillet and sauté the garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, sesame seeds, and green onions for 1-2 minutes.
2. Add the bean curd knots. Add the drained bean curds to the skillet and cook for one more minute in the aromatic oil.
3. Let simmer. Finally, pour in the soy sauce, maple syrup, and lime juice. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow the bean curds to soak up the flavors of the sauce.

Before serving, sprinkle with more green onions for freshness, and serve with your favorite greens on the side!

🥗 What to Serve with Tofu Knots

You can serve these bean curd knots as an appetizer or as a topping to rice or quinoa. You can also serve them with stir-fried or steamed vegetables!

📔 Tips

• Do not overcook the bean curd knots. Stop the cooking process as soon as the knots are tender. If you overcook them, they will unknot and may start to fall apart.
• Drain them well. Make sure to squeeze the knots with your hands or with a spatula to remove as much water as possible. This will allow the knots to absorb more of the sauce.
• Adjust the spiciness to your taste. While this dish is not overly spicy, I recommend starting with half of the amount of chili pepper flakes and adding more to taste.
• Double the sauce. If you want extra sauce to pour over rice or other grains, double the sauce!
• Make it lighter. If you are watching your oil intake, you can decrease the amount of oil by one tablespoon. It won’t be as rich, but it’s still quite delicious!

💬 FAQ

🥢 More Asian-Inspired Recipes

• Quick Kimchi Noodles
• Vegan Tteokbokki
• Vegan Okonomiyaki

Let me know in the comments if you try this recipe!

Note: This recipe was first published in 2019 and was updated on July 2023 with new photos and improved instructions.