Filipino Tofu ‘Tapa’
Filipino Tofu ‘Tapa’
Ingredients
For the Tofu Tapa
- 1 block extra firm tofu, about 350-400g
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon calamansi or lemon juice, to 2 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil, for pan-frying, to 2 tablespoons
For the Fried Garlic Rice (Sinangag)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced, to 3 cloves
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil, to 2 tablespoons
- 2 cups cooked rice, to 3 cups
- Pinch salt
For the Seasoned Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar, to 2 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce, to 2 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- Pinch salt
- 1 Thai chillies, optional, to 2
Instructions
- 1
Press the extra firm tofu to remove any excess water. This can be done by wrapping it in paper towels or a clean cloth and placing a heavy object on top for at least 15-20 minutes.
⏱️ 20 min
- 2
Cut the pressed tofu into thin strips.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, white vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and calamansi or lemon juice to create the marinade.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Add the tofu strips to the marinade and mix well, ensuring all strips are thoroughly coated.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the marinated tofu for at least 30 minutes. For best flavor, marinate overnight.
⏱️ 30 min
- 6
In a pan, heat 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium-high heat. Add the marinated tofu strips and pan-fry them until they are golden brown and crisp on all sides, turning occasionally.
⏱️ 10 min
- 7
Once cooked, remove the fried tofu from the pan and set aside.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
In the same pan (or a separate one if preferred), heat 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Add the minced garlic and fry until it turns golden brown and fragrant.
⏱️ 3 min
- 9
Add the cooked rice to the pan along with a pinch of salt. Mix the rice and garlic thoroughly until the rice is evenly coated and heated through.
⏱️ 5 min
- 10
In a small bowl, mix together the white vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and a pinch of salt for the seasoned vinegar.
⏱️ 2 min
- 11
If desired, add 1-2 Thai chillies to the seasoned vinegar for a spicy kick. Stir to combine.
⏱️ 1 min
- 12
Serve the Filipino Tofu Tapa alongside the fried garlic rice. Garnish with additional fried garlic if available. Serve with the prepared seasoned vinegar on the side for dipping.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Filipino Tofu ‘Tapa’
For the Tofu Tapa
- 1 block extra firm tofu, about 350-400g
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon calamansi or lemon juice, to 2 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil, for pan-frying, to 2 tablespoons
For the Fried Garlic Rice (Sinangag)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced, to 3 cloves
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil, to 2 tablespoons
- 2 cups cooked rice, to 3 cups
- Pinch salt
For the Seasoned Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar, to 2 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce, to 2 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- Pinch salt
- 1 Thai chillies, optional, to 2
Instructions
- 1
Press the extra firm tofu to remove any excess water. This can be done by wrapping it in paper towels or a clean cloth and placing a heavy object on top for at least 15-20 minutes.
⏱️ 20 min - 2
Cut the pressed tofu into thin strips.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, white vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and calamansi or lemon juice to create the marinade.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Add the tofu strips to the marinade and mix well, ensuring all strips are thoroughly coated.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the marinated tofu for at least 30 minutes. For best flavor, marinate overnight.
⏱️ 30 min - 6
In a pan, heat 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium-high heat. Add the marinated tofu strips and pan-fry them until they are golden brown and crisp on all sides, turning occasionally.
⏱️ 10 min - 7
Once cooked, remove the fried tofu from the pan and set aside.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
In the same pan (or a separate one if preferred), heat 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Add the minced garlic and fry until it turns golden brown and fragrant.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
Add the cooked rice to the pan along with a pinch of salt. Mix the rice and garlic thoroughly until the rice is evenly coated and heated through.
⏱️ 5 min - 10
In a small bowl, mix together the white vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and a pinch of salt for the seasoned vinegar.
⏱️ 2 min - 11
If desired, add 1-2 Thai chillies to the seasoned vinegar for a spicy kick. Stir to combine.
⏱️ 1 min - 12
Serve the Filipino Tofu Tapa alongside the fried garlic rice. Garnish with additional fried garlic if available. Serve with the prepared seasoned vinegar on the side for dipping.
⏱️ 2 min