Spicy Tofu Noodle Salad
Spicy Tofu Noodle Salad is a flavorful, high-protein dish perfect for quick lunches, meal prep, or as a side. It features pan-fried tofu coated in a soy-honey-chili glaze, tossed with rice noodles, fresh veggies, and a tangy, spicy soy-vinegar sauce. This versatile recipe is ready in under 30 minutes and easily customisable to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Ingredients
Tofu
- 1 block (300g) firm tofu, gentle press to squeeze the water, slice into squares
- 3 tbsp soy
- 2 tbsp honey maple syrup (vegan option)
- 1 tsp chilli (optional)
- neutral oil for frying
Dressing
- 2 tbsp soy
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp fresh chilli, minced, dry chilli flakes or chilli oil can be used as substitutes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Salad and condiments
- rice vermicelli noodles, cooked and cooled
- lettuce, spinach, cucumber, herbs, such as Vietnamese coriander, mint, coriander
- crushed peanuts, crispy shallots,
- pickled carrots and daikon
- spring onion oil, oil and spring onion (microwave for 30 seconds)
Instructions
Prepare the tofu
- In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, honey, and chili flakes. Set aside.Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the vegetable oil. Once hot, add the tofu cubes. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and crispy.Pour the soy-honey-chili mixture over the tofu and toss to coat. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelise slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
Make the dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, chilli, garlic, and honey (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Assemble the salad
- Combine the cooked noodles, your chosen salad and condiments, and pour the sauce over the salad and toss well to coat. See notes for further tips!
Notes
Notes:
For meal prep: If you are preparing this for your lunchbox or upcoming weeknight dinners, ensure you keep the salad fresh by packing it in a freezer bag or a separate compartment in your lunchbox. Pack your dressing in an airtight container. You can reheat your tofu for 1-2 minutes in the microwave.
This Spicy Tofu Noodle Salad is the kind of recipe that’ll make its way into your regular rotation. It’s bright, flavorful, and endlessly adaptable—a true crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Let me know how you customize it in the comments below!