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4.84 from 6 votes

Lu Rou Fan - Braised Tofu Rice Bowl '素滷肉飯'

A veganized version of Taiwan most iconic food - Lu Rou Fan, made with a few key ingredients for a flavorful and delicious bowl.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Keyword: comfortfood, tofu
Servings: 3
Author: woonheng

Ingredients

  • 16 oz [397g] firm tofu pressed, drained & mashed
  • 4 oz [130g] mushrooms chopped (used King Oyster)
  • 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 2 large shallots finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons [18g] green onions chopped
  • 3 cups [700ml] of water
  • cornstarch slurry mix 1 tablespoon corn starch with 1 tablespoon of water
  • oil for cooking
  • salt to taste
  • blanched veggies
  • 3 servings cooked rice

Seasoning:

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce/tamari
  • ½ tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
  • ¼ cup [60g] Chinese cooking wine Michiu

Instructions

  • Heat up a large non-stick pan and cook mashed tofu until slightly dry, add 2 tablespoons of oil and continue to stir fry until golden brown and crispy.
  • Push the tofu to the side of the pan, add in more oil (if needed), then sauté mushrooms and shallots until shallots turn translucent and mushrooms are fully cooked through.
  • Add in the chopped scallions and garlic and continue to cook for another 30 seconds or until garlic is aromatic.
  • Season with white pepper, 5-spice powder, and sugar, then stir to combine.
  • Add in the soy sauce, cooking wine, water and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
  • Then continue to cook until the sauce is reduced to almost half.
  • Taste test and season accordingly. If you need more sauce, add a little more water here.
  • Finally, add the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce by stirring constantly over low-medium heat.
  • Serve warm with rice and a side of blanched veggies.

Video

Notes

  • If you prefer a darker color sauce, feel free to add a tad of thick caramel sauce (thick dark soy sauce).
  • 5-spice powder - if you can't find this powder, please use below and add it along with the water, then remove them before serving. 
    • 1 star-anise
    • 1 cinnamon stick
    • 5 cloves
    • 2-3 fennel seeds
    • a few Sichuan peppercorn