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Meat Tofu ( Niku Tofu ) 肉豆腐

Niku Tofu is a beloved Japanese home-style dish made with tender slices of beef or pork, tofu, and shirataki noodles simmered in a savory-sweet soy-based broth. It’s comforting, balanced, and full of umami — a warm hug in a bowl!
This is the authentic Japanese way to enjoy shirataki noodles, not as a low-carb substitute, but as a flavorful ingredient that absorbs the delicious broth. Simple to make and light yet satisfying, Niku Tofu is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners at home.
Serve it with steamed rice and green onions, and you’ll have a true taste of Japanese comfort food — straight from Tokyo to your kitchen! 🇯🇵
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Servings: 1 person
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 small piece of ginger
  • 1/2 small onion
  • 1 scallion
  • 1/2 tofu
  • 1/2-1 package shirataki
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3-4 slices thinly sliced beef
  • 1-1.5 tbsp sake
  • 1-1.5 tsp sugar
  • 1.5-3 tbsp soy sauce
  • pinch shichimi ( Japanese chili pepper powder)--optional

Method
 

  1. Finely chop a small piece of ginger. Slice half a small onion. Chop a scallion, also removing the root.
  2. Cut the tofu into a half then cut into cubes.
  3. Drain shirataki noodles. Boil shirataki for 5 minutes, and drain it again. Cut shirataki to short length.
  4. Add 1 tbsp of oil and toss in the chopped ginger and stir-fry. Then add the onion and stir-fry until it turns translucent.
  5. Add thinly sliced beef (or pork) and stir-fry until it's cooked halfway.
  6. Add shirataki and keep stir-frying. Add the tofu and continue cooking.
  7. Add 1 tbsp of sake, 1 tsp of sugar, and 1.5 -2 tbsp of soy sauce.
  8. Simmer on low heat until the sauce begins to evaporate. Add more seasoning if the tofu color looks too pale. Simmer until most of the sauce is gone.
  9. Serve in a bowl whilst hot, and sprinkle with the chopped scallion. Add shichimi (Japanese chili pepper powder) to add a spicy kick.
    It's ready!  We hope you enjoy your "TOKYOFLAVORS, NEW YORK STYLE" meal!  Itadakimasu!

Notes

Meat: You can use beef or pork for Niku Tofu. In either case, choose meat with a bit of fat — it adds richness and deep flavor. Lean cuts tend to make the dish too dry.
Tofu: Medium-firm tofu is ideal for this recipe, but soft tofu works fine too — just handle it gently when simmering so it doesn’t break apart.
Shirataki noodles: Let the shirataki soak up plenty of the savory broth — that’s where all the umami lives!
Serving idea: Spoon the meat and tofu over warm white rice to turn it into a comforting niku tofu rice bowl — simple and satisfying! 🍚