Japanese style mapo tofu, or mabo dofu, is a comforting tofu recipe that combines soft tofu, ground pork, and a savory spicy sauce for an easy rice-friendly meal. This Japanese version is usually milder and slightly sweeter than Sichuan mapo tofu, using ingredients such as miso, soy sauce, sake, mirin, garlic, ginger, chili bean paste, sesame oil, and chicken stock for balanced umami. The ground pork is cooked until fragrant, then simmered with the sauce before cubes of tofu are gently added so they stay soft and silky. A starch slurry thickens the sauce until it coats the tofu and rice beautifully. The final mabo dofu is warm, rich, and satisfying, making it perfect for lunch or dinner with steamed rice, green onion, sesame seeds, or simple Japanese side dishes.
