Steps

1. Boil plenty of water and add Rice Noodles (150g). Boil for about 3 minutes.
   🕒 01:10
2. Drain the rice noodles in a colander, ensuring all water is removed.
   🕒 03:05
3. Place the boiled rice noodles in a bowl. While still hot, add Salt (1 tsp-) and White Sesame Oil (1 tbsp+) and mix well.
   🕒 03:19
4. Cover the bowl with rice noodles with plastic wrap and let steam for 2 minutes. [This is the key!] Mixing in salt and oil beforehand helps them to be absorbed by the rice noodles.
   🕒 04:08
5. Cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes.
   🕒 01:59
6. Place the cut tofu in a bowl and pour boiling water over it to warm it up.
   🕒 02:23
7. Prepare the sauce mixture. In a bowl, combine Soy Sauce (3 tbsp), Chicken Powder (1 tsp), Sugar (a pinch), and Water (2 tbsp) and mix well.
   🕒 04:29
8. Drain the warmed tofu in a colander.
   🕒 05:13
9. Heat Beef (80g) in a frying pan over medium heat until fat renders.
   🕒 05:23
10. Add Green Onion (1 tbsp), Ginger (1 tbsp), and Garlic (1 tbsp) to the stir-fried beef and continue to stir-fry.
    🕒 06:17
11. Create a space in the center of the pan and add Doubanjiang (Chili Bean Paste) (1 tbsp). Stir-fry until fragrant.
    🕒 06:36
12. Once the Doubanjiang is fragrant, stir-fry it thoroughly with the beef and aromatics. [This is the key!] The taste of Doubanjiang varies by brand, so adjust the amount to your preference.
    🕒 07:07
13. Add Shaoxing Wine (1 tbsp), then add the prepared sauce mixture and bring to a boil.
    🕒 07:33
14. Once it comes to a boil, add the drained tofu and simmer for a while.
    🕒 07:54
15. Add the Thickening Slurry (2 tbsp) and stir to thicken the sauce.
    🕒 08:42
16. Sprinkle with Green Onion (to taste) and drizzle with Chili Oil (1 tbsp).
    🕒 09:19
17. Gently push the tofu from front to back to avoid breaking it apart while stir-frying.
    🕒 09:35
18. Add Sichuan Peppercorns (to taste) and increase the heat.
    🕒 09:43
19. Finally, drizzle with Sesame Oil (1 tbsp) and complete the Mapo Tofu.
    🕒 10:00
20. Place the steamed rice noodles in a serving bowl and top with the hot Mapo Tofu.
    🕒 11:14