If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy vegan meal that’s full of flavor and texture? This is it! This Asian crispy tofu bowl is made with crispy air-fried tofu, fresh, colorful vegetables, and a tasty sesame soy sauce dressing. It’s honestly a quick and easy dish that I crave all the time.
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Learning From the Japanese
I’ve always had a soft spot for Asian dishes. Moving to Japan two years ago really opened my eyes to the magic of its food. What’s cool is that many Japanese dishes use a mix of the same seasonings like salt, sugar, soy sauce, mirin, and vinegar. But each dish feels so different! My time here has taught me to really appreciate these flavors, and I’ve used what I’ve learned to create this crispy tofu bowl. It’s definitely got a touch of the Japan vibe from some of the awesome meals I’ve had here.
Vegan Dishes in Tokyo
One surprising challenge here is finding vegan food. Sure, places like Tokyo have vegan restaurants, but eating vegan is a real puzzle outside of those specific spots. While I don’t strictly adhere to a vegan lifestyle, I lean heavily towards it. The scarcity of vegan options here sparked an even stronger desire to whip up and sometimes reinvent vegan dishes at home.
The Invention of my Asian Crispy Tofu Bowl
Enter my Asian crispy tofu bowl. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a testament to my time in Japan and my vegan-leaning journey. It’s bursting with protein from the tofu and edamame and packed with fiber and antioxidants from a rainbow of veggies. I adore the contrast between the crispy tofu and the fresh veggies, and the sesame soy sauce dressing? It’s pure umami magic. This dish is so flexible, you can switch out the veggies, add extra tofu or extra dressing. I hope you’ll give it a try making this nutritious bowl inspired by my Japanese adventures.
Let’s Talk Tofu for a Minute
In the West, tofu often gets typecast – reserved mainly for vegans or those looking for a meat substitute. But here in Japan, it’s a whole different ballgame. Tofu isn’t just a “meat alternative” – it’s a beloved protein choice for everyone, even for avid meat eaters. Regardless of dietary preferences, many here regularly opt for tofu dishes simply because they’re delicious and offer a variety of health benefits. If you haven’t experimented with tofu yet, I hope this recipe inspires you. Not only is tofu versatile in the kitchen, but it’s also very nutritional. It’s packed with protein, making it a standout choice for those meat-free days. The benefits continue with its rich content of iron, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and vitamins B1 and B2. So, if you’re curious about incorporating more diverse protein sources into your diet, this tofu recipe is an excellent place to start!
Other Recipes with Tofu:
Crispy Tofu and Pineapple Salsa Tacos
Vegan Spinach Cream with Crispy Tofu
Asian Crispy Tofu Bowl
Cuisine: AsianDifficulty: Easy4
servings20
minutes20
minutes434
kcalIngredients
1 block extra firm tofu
2 tablespoons corn starch
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups cooked sushi rice
1 large shredded carrot
2 sliced Japanese cucumbers
1 cup cooked edamame
4 cups of spring mix (optional)
Japanese pickled ginger or raddish (optional)
thinly sliced green onions (optional)
toasted sesame seeds (optional)
- Dressing:
4 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice or apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon crushed fresh garlic
1 teaspoon grated ginger
Directions
- Remove the tofu from the package and drain it to remove excess liquid. If you have a tofu press, press tofu for about 10 minutes. You can also press tofu with hard objects such as books or teapot, just wrap the tofu in cloth first.
- Cut tofu in small cubes
- Toss with 2 tablespoons of corn starch
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and toss gently to mix
- Place tofu in air fryer in a single layer. Air fry at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes, shaking the pan once after 10 minutes.
- Start assembling the bowl. I like to start with a base of 1 cup of spring mix. This will add volume to your meal as well as extra nutrients.
- Top with cooked rice, shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, edamame, crispy tofu.
- If you want to add optional toppings, add pickled ginger or raddish, toasted sesame seeds, thinly sliced green onions and dressing.
- Dressing:
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
Notes
- The vegetables are suggestion, but feel free to customize with your own favorite vegetables.
We provide the information accompanying this recipe for your general knowledge only. We’ve thoroughly tested the recipe to ensure accuracy in measurements and instructions. However, individual results may vary due to the variability in ingredient types, cooking equipment, and preparation methods. You should not treat the nutritional information as dietary or medical advice. It is best to consult with a registered dietitian or healthcare professional for specific health or nutritional concerns. We accept no responsibility for any inaccuracies or misrepresentations of the information we provide. When using this recipe, please remember that cooking is both an art and a science, and we encourage you to trust your judgment and enjoy the culinary journey.