If you have been following my blog for a while, you probably already know how much I love quick, comforting meals that still feel homemade and hearty.
One of those dishes that always makes it to my dinner table, especially when I’m tired after a long day, is Minced Pork Tofu.
It’s cozy, simple, and packed with a deep, umami flavor that reminds me of home.

This dish combines soft, silky tofu with savory minced pork cooked in a flavorful sauce. It’s something between the famous Mapo Tofu (but without the fiery spice) and a simple homestyle stir-fry.
I first tried a version of this dish in a small Chinese restaurant, and it instantly became one of my go-to recipes.
Since then, I’ve tweaked it again and again until I got it just the way I like — soft tofu that melts in your mouth, perfectly seasoned pork, and a glossy brown sauce that soaks right into a bowl of steamed rice.
Hi My Name is Dipendra Kumar, I am a chef i like cokking food and making videos online on social media.
Why I Love This Recipe
There’s something about tofu and pork together that works so perfectly.
The tofu absorbs the flavor of whatever you cook it with, and in this recipe, that means it’s soaking up the savory sauce and all those fragrant aromatics, such as garlic and ginger.
On the other hand, the minced pork provides a nice chew and richness that balances the softness of the tofu.
I also love that it’s an incredibly flexible recipe. You can use egg tofu, soft tofu, or firm tofu — whatever you’ve got in your fridge.
You can even swap out the pork for ground chicken, turkey, or beef if you prefer. No matter how you make it, it’s always comforting and satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
According to me, it is all about the ingredients because whenever a recipe is made, the fragrance in it comes from some ingredient or the other. After all, if I have to tell you, it always turns out better.
For this minced pork tofu recipe, I like to keep things simple and use ingredients that most of us already have in our kitchens. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Pork Marinade:
- ½ pound ground pork
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine (or you can use dry sherry if you don’t have it)
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (or hoisin sauce for a sweeter flavor)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¾ cup chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Dash of white pepper
For the Dish:
- 1 block tofu (soft or firm, around 14-16 oz)
- 1 tablespoon oil (olive, vegetable, or peanut)
- 1 small knob of ginger, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for thickening)
- 1 green onion, chopped
- Optional: 1 teaspoon chili oil if you want a spicy kick
A Note on Choosing Tofu
The type of tofu you use really changes the texture of this dish. Personally, I love using egg tofu when I can find it — it’s silky, rich, and has that slightly custardy flavor from the eggs.
But if I’m in a hurry or just using what’s in my fridge, soft or firm tofu works just fine too.
If you’re using soft tofu, just be gentle when handling it. It can break apart easily, but that’s okay — even if it does, it still tastes amazing.
Firm tofu holds its shape a little better, so it’s perfect if you’re new to cooking tofu.
Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Marinate the Pork
In a small bowl, mix the ground pork with soy sauce, cornstarch, and Shaoxing wine. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes while you prep the other ingredients.
This step keeps the pork tender and helps it soak up all that flavor when cooked.
2. Prepare the Sauce
In another bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, chicken stock, sugar, sesame oil, and white pepper. Stir it well and set it aside — you’ll add this later once the pork is browned.
3. Prep the Tofu
If you’re using egg tofu, cut it into ½-inch thick rounds. For soft or firm tofu, gently slice it into cubes or rectangles.
If you have time, you can lightly fry the tofu pieces in a non-stick pan until golden. This step gives the tofu a little crust so it doesn’t fall apart easily and adds a lovely texture.
4. Cook the Pork
Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the minced ginger and garlic. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant — but don’t let them burn.
Add the marinated ground pork and stir-fry, breaking it apart with your spatula until it’s no longer pink and starts turning a light golden brown. Browning the meat a little helps build flavor, so don’t rush this step.
5. Add the Sauce and Simmer
Once the pork is nicely browned, pour in the sauce mixture. Stir everything together and bring it to a gentle boil.
If you’re using soft tofu, this is when you carefully add it to the pan. Try not to stir too roughly, or it’ll break apart.
Let everything simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes so the tofu absorbs all those lovely flavors. The sauce will reduce slightly during this time.
6. Thicken the Sauce
Stir the cornstarch and water mixture again (it tends to settle at the bottom), then slowly drizzle it into the pan while stirring gently.
The sauce should thicken within a minute or two, becoming glossy and coating the tofu and pork beautifully.
Taste and adjust the seasoning — sometimes I add just a splash more soy sauce if I feel it needs that extra punch.
7. Garnish and Serve
Turn off the heat, sprinkle the chopped green onions on top, and give it a light stir. If you like a bit of heat, this is when you can drizzle a little chili oil over the dish.
Serve your minced pork tofu hot with steamed rice or even noodles. It’s also great with a side of bok choy, egg fried rice, or a simple soup.
Cooking Tips from My Kitchen
- Don’t skip the marination step. It really makes the pork tender and flavorful.
- If using dried shiitake mushrooms, soak them in warm water for about an hour, then add them to the pork while cooking. They bring such a deep umami flavor.
- Always stir the cornstarch slurry before adding. Cornstarch settles quickly, and if you forget to stir it, the sauce won’t thicken properly.
- Use a non-stick pan for frying tofu. Trust me, tofu can be stubborn and stick to the pan if you’re not careful.
Variations You Can Try
This recipe is super versatile. Here are a few ways you can change things up depending on what you have at home:
- Make it spicy: Add chili oil or a spoon of doubanjiang (spicy fermented bean paste) for a mapo tofu-style version.
- Make it vegetarian: Skip the pork and use chopped mushrooms or minced tempeh instead.
- Add veggies: You can toss in chopped bell peppers, peas, or bok choy for extra nutrition.
- Switch up the sauce: Replace oyster sauce with hoisin for a sweeter flavor, or add a bit of dark soy sauce for deeper color and taste.

Minced Pork Tofu Recipes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a small bowl I mix the pork, soy sauce, cornstarch, and Shaoxing wine. I just leave it aside for 15 mins or so while I cut everything else. It makes the pork way more tender.
- In another little bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, chicken stock, sesame oil and the pepper. Set it aside. I like having this done before cooking because things go fast on the pan.
- Slice the tofu gently (soft tofu breaks super easy). If I have extra time I fry the tofu on both sides until lightly golden, but honestly some days I skip it.
- Heat the oil in a wok or skillet. Add the ginger and garlic first and stir for 20–30 sec. Then add the pork and cook till no longer pink. Try browning it a bit because it gives more flavor.
- Pour the sauce right into the pork. Bring to a soft boil, then add the tofu carefully. I don’t stir too hard here cause tofu breaks. Let it simmer for around 5 minutes so everything gets flavorful.
- Stir the cornstarch slurry again (it always settle on the bottom) and drizzle it in. The sauce turns glossy pretty fast. Taste and add more soy sauce if you feel like it needs something.
- Toss in the chopped green onions. If you want a kick, add chili oil. Serve hot with rice or noodles.
Notes
- If you want to add mushrooms, dried shiitake taste amazing here.
- Soft tofu gives the melt-in-mouth feel but firm tofu works great too specially if you’re scared it’ll break.
- This dish reheats really well because tofu keeps soaking all that flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
To me, minced pork tofu is the kind of meal that feels like a hug in a bowl. It’s soft, flavorful, and satisfying without being heavy.
It’s also budget-friendly and uses basic ingredients, which makes it perfect for weeknights.
On busy evenings, I sometimes prepare the sauce and marinate the pork in the morning, then cook everything together in under 20 minutes after work. It’s that easy.
The best part? It tastes even better the next day. The tofu continues to absorb the sauce, so when you reheat it, every bite is bursting with flavor.
Final Thoughts
I’ve tried so many versions of tofu with minced pork — from restaurant-style egg tofu dishes to quick homemade stir-fries — but this one remains my favorite. It’s simple, earthy, and comforting in the most satisfying way.
You can serve it with plain white rice, jasmine rice, or even noodles, and it’ll always taste like a proper meal.
If you’ve never cooked tofu before, this recipe is a great place to start. It’s forgiving, flavorful, and guaranteed to win you over.
And once you’ve made it a few times, you’ll find your own little twists — maybe more garlic, a dash of chili oil, or a handful of mushrooms — that make it truly yours.
So next time you’re in the mood for something cozy and easy, give this minced pork tofu recipe a try.
It’s one of those dishes that makes you feel warm inside — simple food, cooked with care, just the way home cooking should be.
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