As the weather turns cold and grey, there’s nothing better than a warming, savoury dish to bring comfort. This beef and tofu puff recipe features Taiwan’s beloved sacha sauce (沙茶醬) — a flavour-packed ingredient that adds depth and richness, making it the perfect choice for chilly days.
What is Sacha Sauce (沙茶醬)?
Sacha sauce, also known as Shacha sauce or Shachajiang, is a deeply aromatic and versatile condiment that’s a beloved staple in Taiwanese kitchens. Combining soy sauce, garlic, sesame, and a medley of other ingredients, this umami-rich sauce brings a unique depth of flavor to any dish. Its deeply savoury, almost addictive taste enhances everything from stir-fries to hot pot, making it ideal as a marinade, dip, or cooking base. Cherished for its ability to elevate simple ingredients, Sacha sauce has become a taste of home for many—a versatile gem in Taiwanese cooking that’s perfect for both everyday dishes and special meals.
How Can You Use Sacha Sauce?
- Marinade for Meat: Sacha sauce works wonderfully as a marinade for beef, pork, or chicken. Its robust flavour helps to tenderise the meat and adds a smoky, savoury depth.
- Hot Pot Base: One of the most popular ways to use sacha sauce in Taiwan is as a flavour base for hot pots. Simply add it to your hot pot broth, and it will transform the soup with its complex, umami flavour.
- Stir-Fries and Sauces: Add a spoonful of sacha sauce to stir-fried vegetables, noodles, or tofu for a quick infusion of flavour.
- Dipping Sauce: Mixed with a little soy sauce, it makes a fantastic dipping sauce for dumplings or grilled meats.
In this recipe, we use sacha sauce both as a marinade and as the main flavour in the cooking sauce, giving the dish a satisfying depth and warmth.
Where to Buy Sacha Sauce in the UK
If you’re eager to try sacha sauce, you can find it in most well-stocked Oriental or Asian supermarkets across the UK. Look for the brand ‘Bull Head’ (牛頭牌), which is the most popular and widely available varieties of sacha sauce. You may also find it online from specialty Asian food retailers.
Beef and Tofu in Sacha Sauce
Ingredients
- 250 g thinly sliced beef I used brisket
- 10-11 tofu puffs
- A few ginger strips
- Vegetable oil for cooking
- 100 ml water
- Chopped spring onion
- Sesame seeds
- Egg for topping optional
FOR MARINADE
- 3 tbsp Taiwanese Sacha sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice cooking wine
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp flour
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
FOR SACHA SAUCE MIXTURE
- 1 tbsp Taiwanese Sacha sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice cooking wine
- 100 ml water
Instructions
- Ina mixing bowl, combine the beef slices with the marinade ingredients : Sacha sauce, soy sauce, rice cooking wine, sugar, flour, and vegetable oil. Let it marinate for 15-30 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix together 1 tbsp Sacha sauce, soy sauce, rice cooking wine, and 100ml water to create the additional Sacha sauce mixture for cooking.
- Heat a clay pot over medium-high heat with vegetable oil. Sauté the ginger strips until fragrant.
- Add the tofu puffs to the pot, spreading them evenly. Then, layer the marinated beef on top of the tofu puffs.
- Pour the Sacha sauce mixture over the beef and tofu.If needed, add an additional 50-100ml of water to ensure there’s enough liquid.
- Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped spring onion, sesame seeds, and an egg on top if desired.
Video
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