The Korean Tofu Soup is packed full of flavour with Kimchi, garlic spices and silky soft tofu. It comes together in just 30 minutes for a delicious meal that is vegan and gluten-free!

Korean tofu soup in a white ceramic bowl

Sundubu Jjigae: aka Korean soft tofu soup

This recipe for Korean Tofu Soup is a spin on the traditional Korean dish Sundubu Jjigae, a Korean soft tofu soup or stew.

It’s traditionally made with ground meat, (which we will be leaving out of this recipe to make it vegan), kimchi (make sure your kimchi is vegan), and silken tofu. Sometimes it’s also made with an egg to top it off.

The flavour of the soup is slightly spicy and tangy from the kimchi flavour. The sesame oil in the soup gives it a great aromatic element and the soft tofu is light, and melt in your mouth, making it the perfect cozy soup recipe!

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • This soup makes a delicious vegan meal that is packed with flavour and protein.
  • This recipe can be modified to add in any type of veggies, protein or noodles you love.
  • This recipe is warming and cozy and comes together in just 30 minutes!

How to make Korean Tofu Soup

Heat the olive oil in a pot and add the onion ginger and garlic letting cook for 2 minutes. Then add the kimchi and stir everything together.

kimchi in a white pot

Add the seasoning and broth and bring the soup to a boil, then cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.

kimchi and soup broth in a white pot

Add the cubed tofu to the soup along with some sliced green onions and stir together.

korean tofu soup in a white pot

Is Korean Tofu Soup healthy?

Traditionally Sundubu Jjigae can be made with quite a bit of oil and fat from the ground meat, but this version of Korean Tofu Soup is definitely healthy!

This soup is made with just a touch of oil, low-sodium veggie broth, kimchi, (which is fermented and great for your gut health) and tofu.

Tips for making this recipe perfectly

  • This soup needs the kimchi in it for flavour, so don’t skip out on this ingredient! Most Asian grocery stores will sell kimchi, as well as many health food stores.
  • Make sure to use soft tofu in this recipe, not firm tofu! Firm tofu is too tough and won’t give the soup the right texture.
  • This soup is even better the next day! If you have time to make this soup in advance and let the flavours sit together, the flavours will intensify.
Korean tofu soup in a bowl topped with sliced green onions

More soup recipes to try

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Korean tofu soup in a bowl topped with sliced green onions

Korean Tofu Soup

★★★★★ 4.8 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Jessica Hoffman
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: Korean
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Description

This Korean Tofu Soup comes together in just 30 minutes for a delicious cozy meal!

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 2-inch cube ginger, chopped
  • 1/2 cup kimchi [make sure your kimchi is vegan!]
  • 1 tsp red chilli flakes 
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil 
  • 1 tbsp tamari 
  • 1/2 cup kimchi juice
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 pack soft tofu, drained and cut into large cubes
  • 2 green onions, sliced

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a pot on medium-high heat then add the onion, garlic and ginger and let cook for 2 minutes. 
  2. Add in the kimchi, red chilli flakes, sesame oil, tamari and kimchi juice and mix all together letting cook on medium heat for 1-2 minutes. 
  3. Add the broth, bring to a boil, then cover and let simmr on low for 10-15 minutes. 
  4. Remove the lid and add in the tofu and sliced green onions to serve. 

Notes

This soup needs the kimchi in it for flavour, so don’t skip out on this ingredient! Most Asian grocery stores will sell kimchi, as well as many health food stores.

Make sure to use soft tofu in this recipe, not firm tofu! Firm tofu is too tough and won’t give the soup the right texture.

Make sure your kimchi is vegan! Some kimchi is fermented with seafood, vegan kimchi is not!

This soup is even better the next day! If you have time to make this soup in advance and let the flavours sit together, the flavours will intensify.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 125
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 500mg
  • Fat: 7.5g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g

Keywords: Korean soup with tofu, kimchi soup, tofu stew recipe

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