This hack for Max's sizzling tofu sisig tastes exactly like the restaurant's, all thanks to one convenient pantry ingredient.
If you're not at Max's Restaurant for the classic fried chicken with kamote fries, maybe you're there for their second best menu item: tofu sisig.
Originating from Pampanga, traditional sisig uses parts of livestock that are usually discarded like chicken liver, the pig’s face and ears, and sometimes even the pig’s brain. The fatty, gamey flavors work well with the dish’s main seasonings: onions, calamansi, and chili.
Served on a sizzling cast-iron plate, it's everything you love about sisig—the dish Anthony Bourdain called the gateway to Filipino food—without the pork. Tofu (or tokwa) is sliced into cubes, deep-fried until crispy, then tossed in a creamy sisig sauce. It's a dish that will leave even the staunchest meat-eater satisfied.
This Max's-inspired sizzling tofu sisig recipe is easy to whip up at home thanks to liquid seasoning. It provides that familiar umami flavor that makes this copycat a dead ringer for the real thing.
To make this recipe, you'll need the star of the show: firm tofu or tokwa.
Tokwa vs tofu—what's the difference? Tokwa is the Filipino term for tofu. Compared to commercial firm tofu, locally-made tokwa has less moisture, thicker skin, and a more tangy flavor. It doesn't come in a softer variety—tokwa is always firm and dense. You can use it in recipes calling for firm or extra-firm tofu.
Once your tofu's fried, an easy mayonnaise-based sisig sauce binds everything together. Here's what you need:
Some brands of tofu have a slightly sour taste that remains even after cooking. Blanching tofu in hot salted water brings out a fresher flavor while coaxing the tofu's inner moisture to the surface, making it easier to dry.
Either pour the hot salted water over the tofu, or dunk the tofu into a simmering (not boiling) pot of salted water. Pat it dry, and your tofu's ready to use. Sounds counterintuitive, but it works!
Freezing tofu changes its tender texture to something chewier and meat-like. When thawed, the ice crystals inside the tofu leave sponge-like holes, creating a bouncy mouthfeel. It's a trick we use in our popular tofu katsudon recipe.
To freeze, you can keep your tofu whole or cut up into smaller portions. Keep the tofu in its packaging or, if using cut-up portions, transfer to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Freeze until solid and more yellowish in color, then defrost either overnight in the fridge or at room temperature on an aluminum tray. Don't forget to (gently) press out that extra moisture before frying.
With frozen and thawed tofu on hand, you’re ready to make tofu sisig.
Easier and faster than a trip to your nearest Max's!
Prepare tofu: Use paper towels to blot off excess moisture from the tofu. Once dry to the touch, slice tofu into 1-inch cubes.
Shallow-fry tofu: Heat oil in a wok or deep pan over medium-high heat. Once oil is at 350°F, add diced tofu in batches and shallow-fry until crisp and golden. Transfer tofu to a metal rack or paper towel-lined plate. Season with a bit of salt while warm. Set aside.
Make sisig sauce: Combine oyster sauce, mayonnaise, water, liquid seasoning, and chopped red chili in a small mixing bowl. Stir until combined. Set aside.
Make sisig base: Remove oil from fried tofu and wipe the wok or pan clean. Add 2 tbsp oil and heat over medium. Once oil is hot, add garlic, onion, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until onions are translucent, 5 minutes. Add sisig sauce mixture and stir until ingredients are coated and sauce has thickened, 2–3 minutes.
Add tofu and serve: Add fried tofu to the pan. Toss mixture until each piece is evenly coated with sauce. Transfer to a prepared sizzling plate or serving dish. Garnish with calamansi halves, chopped chilies, and minced green onions. Serve hot with steamed rice.