Vegan Crispy Tofu Banh Mi (Printable)

Crispy tofu with pickled veggies, jasmine rice, and a zesty sriracha mayo for a vibrant vegan meal.

# What You'll 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 - Whisk together rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a bowl until dissolved. Add julienned carrot, daikon radish, and sliced cucumber. Toss to coat and set aside to pickle, stirring occasionally.
02 - Pat tofu cubes dry with paper towels. Place in a large bowl and toss with soy sauce, then sprinkle with cornstarch and toss until evenly coated.
03 - Heat sesame oil and vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until golden and crispy on all sides, approximately 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
04 - Prepare jasmine rice according to package instructions if not already cooked.
05 - Combine vegan mayonnaise, sriracha, and lime juice in a small bowl, stirring until well blended.
06 - Divide cooked rice among four bowls. Top with drained pickled vegetables, crispy tofu, cilantro leaves, jalapeño slices, scallions, and sesame seeds. Drizzle with sriracha mayo and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The tofu gets genuinely crispy and addictive, not mushy or bland like when you first try cooking it.
  • Quick-pickled vegetables add brightness and tang that makes every bite feel fresh and intentional.
  • It comes together in under an hour, so you can make it on a random Tuesday without overthinking.
  • One bowl feels complete and satisfying, not like you're eating around a missing ingredient.
02 -
  • Pressing your tofu truly matters, not as something you read about but as the difference between watery disappointment and actually delicious results.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking tofu because the pieces need space to crisp up, and steam from crowding will make them soft.
  • The sriracha mayo is the binding element that brings everything together, so make it taste the way you actually want it before assembling.
03 -
  • Cook your tofu in two batches if your skillet feels crowded, because rushing this step will sabotage your texture goals.
  • Make the pickled vegetables ahead if you're prepping for the week, they actually improve and taste sharper after a day.
  • Assemble bowls just before eating so the tofu stays crispy and doesn't get softened by sitting moisture.
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