Vegan Crispy Tofu Banh Mi (Printable)

Vibrant bowls with crispy tofu, pickled vegetables, jasmine rice, and zesty vegan sriracha mayo.

# What You Need:

→ Tofu

01 - 14 oz firm tofu, pressed and cut into ¾-inch cubes
02 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
03 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
04 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
05 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

→ Pickled Vegetables

06 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
07 - 1 small daikon radish, julienned
08 - ½ cucumber, thinly sliced
09 - ½ cup rice vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon sugar
11 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Rice

12 - 2 cups cooked jasmine rice

→ Sriracha Mayo

13 - ¼ cup vegan mayonnaise
14 - 1 to 2 tablespoons sriracha
15 - 1 teaspoon lime juice

→ Garnishes

16 - ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
17 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
18 - 1 small handful scallions, sliced
19 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
20 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - In a bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Add carrot, daikon, and cucumber. Toss to coat and set aside to pickle, stirring occasionally.
02 - Pat tofu cubes dry. In a large bowl, toss tofu with soy sauce, then sprinkle with cornstarch and toss to coat evenly.
03 - Heat sesame oil and vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu in a single layer. Cook, turning occasionally, until golden and crispy on all sides, approximately 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat.
04 - Prepare rice according to package instructions if not already cooked.
05 - Mix vegan mayonnaise, sriracha, and lime juice in a small bowl until well combined.
06 - Divide jasmine rice among serving bowls. Top with drained pickled vegetables, crispy tofu, and garnishes including cilantro, jalapeño, scallions, and sesame seeds. Drizzle with sriracha mayo and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Crispy tofu has a texture that actually satisfies cravings, not just a protein substitute sitting sadly on a plate.
  • The quick pickled vegetables come together in minutes but taste like you've been planning this meal all day.
  • It's naturally vegan but so flavorful that nobody will feel like they're eating "health food."
02 -
  • Pressing your tofu isn't optional if you want crispy results, not soggy disappointment that sticks to the pan.
  • The cornstarch coating should be applied after the soy sauce while still wet, so it adheres properly and creates that crucial crispy shell.
03 -
  • If your tofu starts sticking, resist the urge to move it constantly; let each side develop a crust before turning.
  • Make your pickles ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to a week so weeknight assembly is pure joy instead of chopping vegetables.
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