Simple, saucy, and packed with flavour, this Chinese Braised Tofu with Green Onion, also known as Scallion Tofu, is an easy home-style tofu dish that comes together in about 25 minutes. The firm tofu is pan-fried until golden on the outside, then simmered in a glossy savoury sauce with fragrant green onion.

Chinese Braised Tofu with Green Onion (Scallion Tofu)

This braised tofu is inspired by a classic recipe from northern China. I’m from Shandong province, which is famous for its giant green onions — they can grow as tall as an adult! I ate a lot of this dish growing up. Traditionally, the tofu is deep-fried until golden, then simmered in a savoury sauce with big Chinese green onions, which have a stronger onion aroma.

This version is an easier and lazier take on the recipe, but it still has so much flavour. Instead of deep-frying the tofu, I simply pan-fry it until golden. I also like using a spoon to break the tofu into bite-sized pieces. The rough edges help the tofu absorb more sauce, so every piece becomes extra flavourful.

I use regular green onions/scallions in this recipe because they are more widely available in Canada. They still add a beautiful aroma and a pop of vivid green colour.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Chinese braised tofu with green onion is quick, budget-friendly, and full of savoury flavour. The tofu has a slightly chewy golden outside while staying soft inside, and the green onion adds a beautiful aroma to the sauce.
It also uses very few ingredients, and most of the sauces are pantry staples.
Tofu is a great high-protein ingredient, making this a satisfying meatless dish for busy weeknights. You can also make it vegan by replacing the oyster sauce with vegetarian oyster sauce, which is usually mushroom-based, or by using extra soy sauce with a little bit of sugar.

Ingredients You Will Need

4–5 green onions, about 50g
1 block firm tofu, 350–400g
1.5 tbsp neutral oil

Sauce

1.5 tbsp soy sauce
1.5 tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tsp oyster sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp cornstarch
1/3 cup water

Instructions

1. Prepare the green onions by cutting them diagonally. Separate the white parts from the green parts. Use a spoon to cut the firm tofu into bite-sized pieces. The rough surface helps the tofu absorb more flavour.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and water. Set aside.

3. Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add 1.5 tbsp neutral oil, then add the tofu pieces. Pan-fry the tofu until both sides are golden, about 4–5 minutes per side.

4. Make some space in the pan and add the white parts of the green onion. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until fragrant.

5. Stir the sauce again before adding it to the pan, as the cornstarch may settle at the bottom. Pour in the sauce and simmer for 2–3 minutes, until it becomes thick and glossy.

6. Add the green parts of the green onion and gently toss everything together. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Cooking Notes

I recommend using a nonstick pan to pan-fry tofu because tofu has a high water content and can stick easily.
If you are not using a nonstick pan, make sure to dry the surface of the tofu really well before cooking. Sprinkling a little salt onto the surface of the pan can also help reduce sticking.
For the best texture, let the tofu pan-fry undisturbed for a few minutes before flipping. This helps it form a golden crust.
Using a spoon instead of a knife to cut the tofu creates rough edges, which helps the tofu soak up more of the savoury brown sauce.
Vegan option: make it vegan by replacing the oyster sauce with vegetarian oyster sauce, which is usually mushroom-based, or by using extra soy sauce with a little bit of sugar.

What to Serve with Chinese Braised Tofu

This Chinese braised tofu with green onion is perfect with steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or a simple bowl of noodles.

You can also serve it with stir-fried vegetables, cucumber salad, or a classic dough drop soup for an easy home-style meal.

If you tried this Chinese braised tofu with green onion recipe, be sure to rate it and leave a comment below! And follow along with me on Pinterest, Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube for more delicious recipes & meal ideas~ Happy cooking!

Equipment

1 Pan