Tofu & Veggie Onigiri

Have you ever tried “Iri-tofu”?

Iri Tofu (炒り豆腐) is a traditional Japanese home-style dish made by stir-frying crumbled tofu with vegetables and simple seasonings. The word "iri" means "to stir-fry," while "tofu" is soybean curd, a staple ingredient in Japanese cooking.

Unlike many tofu dishes that are soft and served in a sauce, Iri Tofu is cooked until most of the moisture evaporates. This gives it a light, fluffy texture that absorbs the flavors of soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and other seasonings.

Common ingredients include carrots, mushrooms, wakame seaweed, and sometimes ground chicken. Every family has its own version, making it a comforting dish that many Japanese people grew up eating.

One of the best things about Iri Tofu is its versatility. It can be enjoyed as a side dish, mixed into warm rice, used as an onigiri filling, or even packed into a bento lunch. It's a simple, nutritious, and budget-friendly recipe that's perfect for everyday meals.

If you're looking for an easy way to enjoy traditional Japanese home cooking, Iri Tofu is a wonderful place to start.

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Ingredients

For the Japanese Iri Tofu (Tofu & Veggie Stir-Fry)

Makes enough for several meals.

• 250 g silken tofu

• 100 g enoki mushrooms

• 1 carrot

• ½ Tbsp sesame oil

• 1 Tbsp soy sauce

• 1 Tbsp mirin

• 1 Tbsp oyster sauce

For the Tofu & Veggie Onigiri (Makes 2–3 onigiri)

• 300 g cooked Japanese short-grain rice

• 2–3 Tbsp Japanese Iri Tofu (or as needed)

Instructions

🍄‍🟫  Tofu & Veggie stair fly

1. Drain the tofu well. Soak the dried wakame in water until softened.

2. Finely chop the enoki mushrooms, carrot, and wakame.

3. Heat a lightly oiled frying pan over medium heat. Crumble the tofu into the pan and stir-fry until most of the moisture has evaporated.

4. Add the enoki mushrooms, carrot, and wakame, and stir-fry for another 2–3 minutes.

5. Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, mirin, and sesame oil. Continue stir-frying until the mixture is no longer watery.

6. Let it cool slightly before mixing it with rice or using it as an onigiri filling.

🍙 Tofu & Veggie Onigiri

1. Mix 2–3 Tbsp of Japanese Iri Tofu into warm rice. 

2. Shape into onigiri and enjoy!

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✨ Tips for success

• Drain the tofu well. Wrap the tofu in paper towels, place a weight on top, and let it drain for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove excess moisture and gives the stir-fry a better texture.

• Chop the vegetables finely. Since the Iri Tofu will be mixed with rice, finely chopped vegetables blend more evenly and make the onigiri easier to shape.

• Cook until the moisture has evaporated. Stir-fry the mixture until it is no longer watery. This concentrates the flavor and prevents the rice from becoming soggy.

💡 Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Nutritious and satisfying. Tofu provides protein, while the vegetables and wakame add fiber and minerals.

• Light yet full of flavor. The tofu absorbs the savory flavors of the vegetables, mushrooms, and seasonings, making every bite delicious without feeling heavy.

• Perfect for meal prep. Make a batch of Iri Tofu and enjoy it as a side dish, mixed with rice, or shaped into onigiri.