This recipe was written in Spanish and translated automatically. The translation may contain errors. View the original Spanish recipe

Mapo Tofu

Name: Mapo Tofu
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: Tofu (400 g); Ground pork (150 g); Chili bean paste (doubanjiang) (2 tablespoons); Garlic (3 cloves); Ginger (1 tablespoon); Green Onion (2 pieces); Chicken broth (1 cup); Soy sauce (1 tablespoon); Sichuan peppercorns (1 teaspoon); Chili flakes (1 teaspoon); Cornstarch (1 tablespoon); Oil (2 tablespoons); Salt (Al gusto)

by Waatokok Kitchen

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34 viewsTotal time: 35 min

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Firm or soft tofu simmered in a spicy sauce with ground pork, chili bean paste, and Sichuan pepper.

Servings: 4
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 20 min
Difficulty: Easy
Category: Main course
Cuisine: Chinese
Serve: Hot
Texture: Soft / Tender, Thick
Techniques: SautéSimmer
Meal: DinnerLunch

Quick weekday meal
Family meal

Tips

Stir gently once the tofu is in the pot—stirring too much will break it up before the sauce even thickens. Here’s a video to help you prepare your dish.

Ingredients

Tofu (400 g)
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Ground pork (150 g)
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Chili bean paste (doubanjiang) (2 tablespoons)
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Garlic (3 cloves)
≈ $0.99 MXN
Ginger (1 tablespoon)
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Green Onion (2 pieces)
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Chicken broth (1 cup)
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Soy sauce (1 tablespoon)
$1.44 MXN
Sichuan peppercorns (1 teaspoon)
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Chili flakes (1 teaspoon)
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Cornstarch (1 tablespoon)
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Oil (2 tablespoons)
$1.63 MXN
Salt (Al gusto)
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WaatoPrice

Price reference: Guadalajara, Jalisco

Estimated cost so far

≈ $4.06 MXN

≈ $1.01 MXN per serving

3 of 13 ingredients

priced

23%

Prices are approximate. · Last updated Oct 7, 2026

Some prices may be outdated.

Tools

Frying pan
Knife
Cutting board
Wooden spoon
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons

Steps

1. Prepare the tofu5 min
Cut the tofu into cubes. If you want it to hold its shape better during cooking, you can briefly boil it in salted water and then drain it carefully.
2. Cook the meat6 min
Brown the ground meat in oil, breaking it up, until it is thoroughly cooked.
3. Add aromatics and chili paste2 min
Your vegetables should already be chopped. Add the garlic, ginger, and chili bean paste, and cook until the aroma is released and the oil takes on a reddish hue.
4. Add broth and tofu8 min
Pour in the broth and soy sauce, carefully add the tofu cubes, and simmer over low heat without stirring too much so they don't fall apart.
5. Thicken3 min
Dissolve the cornstarch in a little cold water and stir it in gradually until the sauce thickens.
6. Finish and serve1 min
Sprinkle with chives and ground Sichuan pepper, and serve hot over rice.

Substitutions & variations

Would you prefer beef? You can substitute ground beef for the same amount of ground pork; the flavor will change slightly.
Substitute Sichuan peppercorns with a mixture of black or white pepper and a pinch of dried lemon zest.
Substitute doubanjiang with a mixture of gochujang (Korean chili paste) and a dash of miso paste or dark soy sauce.