Niku Tofu Recipe (Simmered Beef and Tofu)

Niku Tofu is a classic Japanese home-style dish made with thinly sliced beef and tofu simmered in a sweet and savory soy sauce-based broth. Often compared to Sukiyaki, Niku Tofu has a very similar comforting flavor but is much simpler, quicker, and more affordable to prepare. With tender beef, soft tofu, and onions cooked together in a rich savory sauce, this dish is a popular everyday meal in Japan that pairs perfectly with steamed rice. Because it uses only a few simple ingredients and comes together quickly, Niku Tofu is ideal for busy weeknights when you want something warm, comforting, and homemade.

What Is Niku Tofu?

Niku Tofu, also pronounced Nikudofu, is a classic Japanese dish made with thinly sliced beef and tofu simmered in a sweet and savory soy sauce-based broth. The flavor is very similar to sukiyaki, but Niku Tofu is considered a more casual and affordable version that is commonly enjoyed as an everyday meal at home.

Unlike Sukiyaki, which is often served for gatherings or special occasions, Niku Tofu uses fewer ingredients and simpler preparation. It comes together quickly while still delivering rich, comforting Japanese flavors.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Thinly sliced beef cooks quickly and stays tender in the simmering broth. You do not need an expensive cut of meat — any thinly sliced beef with a little fat works well. Thinly sliced pork can also be used as a substitute.
• Tofu absorbs the sweet and savory sauce beautifully. Silken tofu creates a softer and more delicate texture, while medium-firm or Momen tofu is easier to handle and holds its shape better during cooking.
• Brown onion adds natural sweetness and depth to the dish as it softens in the broth.
• Soy sauce, sugar, sake, and mirin create the classic sweet-savory Japanese flavor similar to sukiyaki. 
• Optional vegetables such as carrots, green beans, napa cabbage, mushrooms, or shirataki noodles can be added to make the dish more filling, though traditional Niku Tofu is usually kept simple.

Serving Suggestions

Niku Tofu is commonly served with:

• Steamed Rice
• Miso Soup
• Pickled vegetables
• A simple vegetable side dish

Short Video

Niku Tofu is a perfect example of simple Japanese comfort food. With tender beef, flavorful tofu, and a savory soy-based broth, it delivers all the cozy flavor of sukiyaki in a quicker and more affordable form.

Because it is easy to prepare and uses only a handful of ingredients, Niku Tofu is the kind of comforting homemade meal you can make anytime for a satisfying dinner.

The recipe was originally published on May 3, 2016. The post was fully updated on May 18, 2026 with revised text, new photos, and a short video.

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5 from 2 votes

Niku Dofu Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Simmered beef and Tofu in sweet and salty soup

Video

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb thinly sliced beef
• 1 package Tofu
• 1 brown onion
• 1 tsp oil
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
• 2 Tbsp Sake
• 1 Tbsp Mirin
• 1/2 cup water

US Customary – Metric

Instructions 

• Cut sliced beef into bite size pieces. Cut Tofu into 8-10 pieces. Cut onion into large wedges.
• In a medium pot, heat oil well and cook the sliced beef. It doesn’t need to be completely cooked through. Then add Tofu and onion. Add the rest of ingredients. Stir occasionally and cook about 15 minutes.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: beef, tofu