Put 2 cups of water into a medium-sized pot and bring the water to a boil.
Wash and chop the green onions.
Cut the red chili in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and then finely chop it.
Peel your garlic and crush and chop it.
Peel the ginger and dice it finely.
Slice the mushrooms.
Once the water boils add in your green onions, chili, garlic, ginger, and tamari, simmer for a few minutes.
Now add the sliced shiitake mushrooms to the pot and continue to simmer.
While your pot is simmering drain the tofu and cut it into cubes.
In a pan fry the tofu cubes in the sesame oil, fry until the tofu is golden brown on all sides.
Mix the fried tofu and the bit of the sesame oil from frying into the soup mixture.
Chop one green onion finely and set aside.
Place the soup into bowls and sprinkle with green onion. (optional).
Serve and enjoy your shiitake mushroom stew.