Easy & Delicious Vegan Char Siu Tofu Recipe (2024)

Easy & Delicious Vegan Char Siu Tofu Recipe (1)

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5 from 2 votes

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Easy & Delicious Vegan Char Siu Tofu Recipe (2)

This Vegan Char Siu Tofu recipe is an exclusive from Jeeca Uy’s new cookbook Vegan Asian: A Cookbook. Click here to find out where you can order the book.

Disclaimer: the cookbooks we feature are independently selected by our Best of Vegan editors and are in no way sponsored by the author and/or the publisher. All content is used with permission.

Jeeca Uy is an avid home cook and the creator of the popular vegan food blog The Foodie Takes Flight. Her recipes have been featured in Plant Based News, Best of Vegan, One Green Planet, and others. She was born and raised in the Philippines and lives in Metro Manila.

Vegan Char Siu Tofu from Jeeca Uy’s Vegan Asian

5 from 2 votes

These are slices of tofu cooked down in a rich, sweet and savory sauce. This dish is delicious as is, but is best enjoyed with a bowl of steamed rice or with freshly cooked noodles. The slices are also delicious placed in steamed buns to make Char Siu Tofu Gua Baos. The sauce is deliciously savory with a perfect balance of sweetness and a hint of spice.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Author: Jeeca Uy | The Foodie Takes Flight

Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

  • TOFU
  • 1 lb 450 g extra-firm tofu
  • 3 tbsp 45 ml neutral oil
  • SAUCE
  • 2 tbsp 30 ml hoisin sauce
  • 5 to 6 tbsp 70 to 85 g dark brown sugar, or to taste
  • 1 tbsp 15 ml soy sauce
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2 tbsp 30 ml Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
  • 1/2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
  • 2 tsp 10 ml sriracha (adjust according to desired heat)
  • TO SERVE
  • Toasted sesame seeds optional
  • Chopped scallions optional
  • Blanched vegetables steamed rice and/or buns

Instructions

  • Prepare the tofu: Press the tofu for at least 10 minutes to drain any excess liquid (see page 11 for more details). Turn the block of tofu on its side and slice it through the middle to make 1-inch (2.5-cm)- thick slabs. You will have 2 to 3 slabs depending on the size and thickness of your tofu.

  • Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, mix together all the sauce ingredients. Set aside.

  • Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil. Once hot, add the tofu slabs. Pan-fry the tofu until lightly browned on each side, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the tofu from the pan and then let it cool for 5 minutes before slicing each slab into 1-inch (2.5-cm)-thick strips.

  • In the same pan, over medium heat, add the sauce and stir well until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the sauce to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to medium. Stir the sauce to prevent the sugar from sticking to the pan and burning. Taste the sauce and feel free to add more sugar, if desired. Afterward, add the sliced tofu to the pan, then scoop the sauce to pour over the top of the tofu pieces. Continue to cook and baste the tofu until it has absorbed some of the sauce, 7 to 8 minutes. Increase the heat to high; once the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes, turn off the heat.

  • Garnish your tofu with sesame seeds and scallions, if desired. Enjoy your Char Siu Tofu as is, with blanched veggies, with rice or as filling for buns to make gua baos.

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Easy & Delicious Vegan Char Siu Tofu Recipe (4)

Reprinted with permission from Vegan Asian: A Cookbook by Jeeca Uy, Page Street Publishing Co. 2021. Photo credit: Jeeca Uy

Easy & Delicious Vegan Char Siu Tofu Recipe (5)

Click here or on the photo above to get your copy.

About the Book

For those craving vegan-friendly versions of classic Asian dishes, Vegan Asian: A Cookbook (August 31, 2021; $21.99; Page Street Publishing) is sure to fit the bill! Jeeca Uy, of the hit Instagram account TheFoodieTakesFlight, transforms traditional Southeast and East Asian cuisine into spectacular vegan renditions that are bursting with flavor. From iconic Thai dishes to piping-hot Japanese fare and everything in between, Jeeca’s recipes will take readers’ palates on a delicious food trip across Asia that will keep them coming back for more. So, why order takeout when it’s easy to whip up a vegan version that is not only healthier but can taste even better?

From traditional favorites to discovering new favorites readers will find recipes for: Pad Thai, Char Siu Tofu, Vietnamese Mushroom Pho, Singaporean Chili Tofu, Chinese Lettuce Wraps, Yang Chow Fried Rice, Japanese Yakisoba, Spicy Dan Dan Noodles, Satay Tofu Sticks with Peanut Sauce, and Korean Bulgogi Mushrooms.

Along with vibrant photographs, Jeeca has packed this book with tips and tricks to guide any cook, vegan or not, on how best to work with tofu, how to fold dumplings, how to make vegan versions of essential sauces and so much more. This cookbook will quickly become a go-to guide for simple yet delicious vegan Asian recipes.

If you loved this vegan char siu tofu recipe, you might like more exclusive recipes from Vegan Asian:

Vegan Pad Thai
Stuffed Chinese Eggplants

Browse our cookbook section for more exclusive recipes.

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Easy & Delicious Vegan Char Siu Tofu Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

What can I add to tofu to make it taste better? ›

Toss the cubes with olive oil, tamari or soy sauce, and sriracha. If desired, you could also add cornstarch to make the cubes extra crispy.

Why is my tofu not getting crispy? ›

If your crispy tofu isn't getting crispy, it could be because there is too much moisture in the tofu. Another issue could be the oil isn't hot enough to fry the tofu. Or you forgot to add the corn flour. These three reasons can cause your tofu to be soggy or not crisp up as much as you'd like.

How do you keep tofu crispy? ›

Arrowroot powder or cornstarch: This does two things for the tofu--it helps soak up any extra moisture and it also helps create a “skin” that will get crispy while cooking.

Why can't you eat spinach and tofu together? ›

As tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively, the combination of the two will form kidney stones. But in fact, only prolonged and volumionous consumption of tofu and spinach at the same time will pose this risk.

What is the downside of eating too much tofu? ›

The significant disadvantages of Tofu may cause allergies in some people. The symptoms of soy allergies include skin rash, inflammation, itching, fainting, breathing difficulty, abdominal pain and throat swelling. In rare scenarios, Tofu may cause osteoporosis and estrogen-related cancer.

What to season tofu in? ›

Tofu seasoning rub: Rub the pressed tofu with lots of spices like garlic or onion powder, salt and pepper, nutritional yeast or a spicy taco seasoning, KFC seasoning, Buffalo spice, etc. Tofu marinade: Soak the tofu cubes in your favorite chicken/meat marinade to infuse extra flavor.

What should I marinate tofu in? ›

In a mixing bowl or measuring cup with a spout, whisk together the marinade: soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, olive oil, sesame oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, ginger, and Sriracha. Drizzle over the tofu. If any pieces look bare, turn them over in the marinade a few times so all of the sides are coated.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

Tofu contains a large amount of water when it comes out of the package. In order to bake, fry, or scramble tofu, it's best to press out as much water as possible before cooking. The longer you press your tofu, the firmer the texture will be and the easier it will be to achieve a nice crispy texture.

How to cook tofu for beginners? ›

Heat a large oven-safe metal or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil and the seasoned tofu. Sauté for 5 minutes, shaking/flipping occasionally to cook on all sides, until tofu has a slight crust on each side and has begun to brown.

Is it better to fry or bake tofu? ›

Baked, Not Fried.

My method for baking tofu produces tofu that's chewy, but it's cooked in the oven, making it much healthier.

Can you coat tofu in flour instead of cornstarch? ›

Substitutions: If you prefer not to cook with cornstarch, you can substitute in an equal volume of all-purpose flour or potato starch. Tofu: This recipe can also be made with medium-firm tofu, but you'll need to be a bit more gentle while pressing and coating it.

What does adding cornstarch to tofu do? ›

A light coating of cornstarch will absorb even more moisture from the tofu's surface and contribute to a distinct coating. Sprinkle over the starch (potato starch, tapioca starch, and arrowroot all work too) a little bit at a time and toss the tofu, pressing gently so the starch adheres.

What is the best oil to fry tofu in? ›

If you want a nutty flavor, she suggests trying semi-refined peanut oil (such as Lion & Globe), or blending unrefined peanut oil one-to-one with a neutral cooking oil. Cook the tofu over medium to medium-high heat, searing it for one to two minutes on each side.

Should you coat tofu in cornstarch before frying? ›

it in olive oil. It gives it a crispy crust when you coat it.

Why can't you eat tofu everyday? ›

Potential Risks of Tofu

Some people believe that eating too much soy can increase the risk of breast cancer, disrupt thyroid function, or "feminize" men (who naturally have lower estrogen levels than women) due to the estrogen-like isoflavones. However, the research is "mixed and inconclusive," according to Iu.

Is tofu a high inflammatory food? ›

Tofu and tempeh.

Studies suggest people who eat soy-based foods have lower odds of inflammation-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Nuts and legumes, Tree nuts like almonds and walnuts, along with peanuts, are rich in unsaturated fats, along with anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals.

Can we eat tofu and egg together? ›

Yes, you can eat eggs and soya chunks together. Both eggs and soya chunks are good sources of protein, and consuming them together can help meet your daily protein requirements. You can add boiled or scrambled eggs to your soya chunk curry or stir-fry for a balanced meal.

Is it OK to eat eggs with tofu? ›

Quick, easy, and healthy, Tofu and Eggs is the perfect meal for any weeknight dinner!

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