Coconut–Plum Glazed Crispy Tofu with Roasted Potatoes + Steam-Bun Tacos (Rice Optional)
Davis Whitehead·1 hr 25 min·Serves 6Crispy-edged tofu and blistered Korean peppers get lacquered in a sweet-savory coconut–plum glaze, then tucked into warm steam buns with crunchy quick-pickled radish and herbs. Roasted potatoes make it hearty and crowd-friendly, while rice stays optional for big appetites. The trick is roasting tofu and potatoes hard first, then glazing at the end so everything stays crisp instead of soggy.
- Dinner
- Tofu
- Roasted
- Crowd-friendly
- Asian-inspired
Ingredients
- Coconut–Plum Glaze
- •Plum sauce, 160 g (about 2/3 cup)
- •Coconut milk (full-fat), 200 g (about 3/4 cup)
- •Tamari or soy sauce, 30 g (2 Tbsp)
- •Rice vinegar, 15 g (1 Tbsp)
- •Brown sugar, 12 g (1 Tbsp), optional (use if your plum sauce isn’t very sweet)
- •Garlic, 2 cloves (10 g), finely grated
- •Fresh ginger, 10 g, finely grated
- Crispy Tofu + Peppers
- •Extra-firm tofu, 900 g (about 2 x 14 oz blocks), drained
- •Cornstarch, 40 g (about 5 Tbsp)
- •Neutral oil, 45 g (3 Tbsp), plus more as needed
- •Korean red/green peppers, 120–180 g (1–2 cups), sliced or kept whole if small
- •Fancy salt, to taste
- Roasted Potatoes
- •Potatoes, 900 g (about 2 lb), cut into 2.5 cm / 1-inch chunks
- •Neutral oil, 30 g (2 Tbsp)
- •Fancy salt and black pepper, to taste
- Crunchy Toppings + Buns
- •Radish, 200 g (about 1 bunch), thin-sliced
- •Celery, 120 g (about 2 stalks), very thin-sliced
- •Chives, 10 g (about 1/4 cup), snipped
- •Cilantro, 30 g (about 1 packed cup leaves), roughly chopped
- •Mint, 10 g (about 1/2 cup leaves), torn
- •Rice vinegar, 30 g (2 Tbsp)
- •Sugar, 8 g (2 tsp)
- •Fancy salt, 3 g (1/2 tsp)
- •Steam bun tacos, 12 pieces (or 2 per person)
- Optional: Rice
- •Cooked rice, 900–1200 g (about 6–8 cups cooked)
Instructions
Prep (10 minutes)
Heat the oven to 230°C / 450°F. Put two sheet pans in the oven to preheat (one for potatoes, one for tofu). Preheating the pans helps you get crisp edges.
Press the tofu (900 g): wrap in a clean towel and press under a heavy pan for 10 minutes while you prep everything else. You’re aiming for a drier, spongier feel.
Quick pickle + herb pile (10 minutes)
In a bowl, toss radish (200 g) and celery (120 g) with rice vinegar (30 g), sugar (8 g), and salt (3 g). Let it sit until crisp-tender and slightly translucent at the edges.
In a second bowl, combine chives (10 g), cilantro (30 g), and mint (10 g). Keep this dry and fluffy—this is your “freshness lever.”
Roast potatoes (35–45 minutes)
Toss potatoes (900 g) with oil (30 g), salt, and pepper. Carefully spread onto the hot sheet pan.
Roast 20 minutes, then flip. Keep roasting until the corners are deeply browned and you can hear a faint sizzle when you open the oven—another 15–25 minutes.
Roast tofu + blister peppers (25–30 minutes)
Tear or cube the pressed tofu into 2.5 cm / 1-inch pieces (tearing gives more craggy edges). Toss with cornstarch (40 g), oil (45 g), and a good pinch of salt until lightly coated.
Carefully spread tofu on the second hot sheet pan. Add Korean peppers (120–180 g) to the pan (whole small peppers blister great; larger ones can be sliced).
Roast 15 minutes, then flip/stir. Roast until tofu is golden, crisp on the ridges, and feels dry to the touch—10–15 minutes more. The peppers should be blistered with a little char.
Coconut–plum glaze (8–10 minutes)
In a small pot, whisk plum sauce (160 g), coconut milk (200 g), tamari/soy sauce (30 g), and rice vinegar (15 g).
Add garlic (10 g) and ginger (10 g). Simmer over medium heat until it’s glossy and lightly thickened—when you drag a spoon through, it should leave a trail that slowly fills in, 3–6 minutes. Taste; if needed, add brown sugar (12 g).
Glaze at the end (keeps it crisp) (2–3 minutes)
Toss the hot roasted tofu + peppers with about 1/2 of the glaze (start with ~200 g) just to lacquer. Keep the remaining glaze for drizzling.
Optional but excellent: brush or drizzle a little glaze over the roasted potatoes right before serving (don’t soak them—just a shiny kiss).
Warm buns + assemble (5 minutes)
Warm steam bun tacos (12) according to package directions until soft and steamy.
Build each bun with a spoonful of tofu + peppers, a pinch of the quick-pickled radish/celery, and a big sprinkle of the herb pile. Drizzle a little extra glaze.
Serve with roasted potatoes on the side and rice (900–1200 g cooked) if you want it. The best bite is hot tofu + cold crunchy pickle + lots of herbs.
Tip: If the glaze thickens too much as it cools, loosen with a splash of warm water or a spoonful of coconut milk until it drizzles.