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    Home » Recipe Round-Ups

    25+ Easy Chinese Tofu Recipes (Vegan)

    Updated: Mar 28, 2023 by Gustavo De Obaldia

    Written by Gustavo De Obaldia

    Are you looking for some delicious and easy Chinese vegan tofu recipes? Then you've come to the right place! This post will share 25+ of our favorite recipes with you using different tofu styles. From stir-fries to curries, there's something here for everyone. Have a look! I promise you won't be disappointed with this collection of our favorite tofu recipes!

    Chinese tofu recipes hero.

    For enthusiasts of Asian culinary arts, our diverse assortment of tofu recipes is sure to pique your curiosity. These recipes underscore the incredible versatility of tofu, a cornerstone ingredient across many Asian diets, showcasing it in everything from delicate silken tofu soups to hearty firm tofu stir-fries.

    Chinese cuisine, mirroring other Asian tofu recipes, meticulously focuses on creating a harmonious interplay of flavors and textures, thus transforming each dish into a nuanced gastronomic masterpiece.

    From the beloved Mapo Tofu to the timeless Braised Tofu, our carefully selected recipes are designed to deliver the genuine taste of China right to your home kitchen. Prepare to embark on an exciting culinary journey with Chinese tofu!

    Jump to:
    • 🍜 Tofu Chinese soup recipes
    • 🍽  Firm and Extra-Firm tofu recipes
    • 🥡 Puffed tofu recipes
    • 🍛 Medium tofu dishes
    • 🍮 Soft tofu recipes
    • 🍚 How to serve
    • 🍱 Tips for cooking vegan Chinese food
    • 👨🏻‍🍳 Garnishing
    • 📚 More Asian Tofu Recipes
    • 💬 Reviews and Comments

    🍜 Tofu Chinese soup recipes

    tofu chinese soup topped with green onions.
    Photo credit: Plant-Based on a Budget
    Tomato, enoki, and tofu Chinese soup in a bowl next to a pot.

    Tomato, Enoki, Mushroom and Tofu Soup

    This soup is perfect for a cold winter day. It's warming, comforting, and filling. The best part is that it only takes about 25 minutes to make. You can enjoy it as-is or top it with some sliced green onions. You can be sure to hit the spot!
    Make this Recipe
    Chinese Tofu and noodles soup served in a bowl.

    Vegan Chinese Tofu Noodle Soup

    Vegan tofu noodle soup is a delicious and very easy-to-make Asian soup that gets ready in just 25 minutes. This light soup is perfect for cold evenings when you want to enjoy something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen.
    Make this Recipe
    tofu chinese soup topped with green onions.

    Easy Vegan Hot and Sour Soup

    Are you looking for a delicious, vegan-friendly Chinese hot and sour soup recipe? Look no further than this easy version made with cabbage, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. It's perfect for autumn days!
    Make this Recipe

    🍽  Firm and Extra-Firm tofu recipes

    Discover a world of flavor with our collection of the Chinese firm and extra-firm tofu recipes. Whether you're a tofu lover or just looking for new ways to incorporate this healthy protein into your diet, our recipes have covered you.

    From crispy stir-fries to hearty stews, we've curated a selection of easy-to-follow recipes that will satisfy and nourish you. So grab your apron and get ready to whip up some delicious Chinese tofu dishes today!

    stir-fried tofu served with chili sauce on flat plates with chopsticks.
    Photo credit: The Forked Spoon
    Sichuan Black Bean chili tofu recipe served in a white plate next to steamed rice and chop sticks.

    Tofu in Black Bean Sauce

    This tofu in black bean sauce is saucy, rich, and packed with flavors! It is also healthier than takeout too. We love using Sichuan chili bean paste for the stir-fry sauce on this fantastic recipe.
    Make this Recipe
    PF Chang's inspired tofu lettuce wraps served on a wooden serving plate.

    PF Chang's Inspired Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps

    These delicious tofu lettuce wraps are inspired by PF Chang’s, a popular dish made in Chinese restaurants. Pan-seared tofu and mushrooms are flavored in a savory Asian sauce and served in fresh lettuce cups.
    Make this Recipe
    stir-fried tofu served with chili sauce on flat plates with chopsticks.

    Spicy Stir Fry Sauce Tofu with Bok Choy

    This Spicy Stir-fry sauce Tofu with Bok Choy is the perfect healthy and delicious meal the whole family will love! We use coconut sugar instead of honey to make it vegan.
    Make this Recipe
    My favorite of all instant pot tofu recipes, it is made in Chinese takeout style tofu served and in white bowl with sesame seeds and chop sticks.
    Photo credit: Rainbow Plant Life
    Chinese takeout style tofu served in white bowl with sesame seeds and chop sticks.

    Chinese Takeout-Style Tofu and Broccoli (recipe from The Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook)

    A sticky, spicy, and slightly sweet firm tofu and broccoli dish made with soy sauce or tamari. This is one of the best Chinese takeout food but made a home-cooked meal when making Instant Pot tofu recipes.
    Make this Recipe
    Sichuan style sticky tofu served in white bowl with steamed rice.

    Sticky Tofu with Vegan Sichuan Peppercorns Sauce

    I'm often asked how to make tofu taste good, and my answer is always the same: give it a good marinade. This sticky tofu with vegan Sichuan peppercorns is a perfect example. The light soy sauce and rice vinegar provide plenty of flavor, while the aromatics - minced garlic, ginger, and chili peppers - add even more depth. Plus, the heat from the Sichuan peppercorns gives this dish an addictive spicy kick. Give it a try!
    Make this Recipe
    sesame tofu served in blue bowl with whole red chilies.

    Vegan Chinese Sesame Tofu with Chili Garlic Sauce

    If you're looking for easy vegan Chinese savory dishes to make at home, this sesame firm tofu is perfect! The hoisin and light soy sauce give the tofu a delicious savory flavor, while the sesame oil adds a nutty aroma, and the corn starch helps to give texture. This recipe is simple, quick, and healthy - perfect for any night of the week!
    Make this Recipe
    orange tofu serves with orange wedges.

    Orange Tofu Recipe (Vegan Orange Chicken)

    Are you looking for a delicious, vegan-friendly recipe that will wow your taste buds? Well, look no further than this orange tofu dish! Tofu is marinated in a sweet and tangy sauce made with orange zest, soy sauce, and garlic. Served over steamed rice or this meal is sure to satisfy.
    Make this Recipe
    sticky sauce lemon tofu served in two plates with bok choy and lemon.

    Sticky Sauce Lemon Tofu

    This Chinese-inspired stick lemon tofu is just so good! The tofu cubes are covered in an irresistible tangy and sweet lemon sauce.
    Make this Recipe
    kung pao tofu recipe served in a bowl with steamed rice.
    Photo credit: Xoxo Bella
    kung pao tofu recipe served in a bowl with steamed rice.

    Kung Pao Tofu Recipe with Vegetables and Cashews

    This Vegan Kung Pao version of kung pao chicken is easy and fast to make, simple, and packed with delicious flavors. Perfect for a weekday dinner! You'll love the crispy tofu and vegetables coated in a sweet and savory kung pao sauce. Top with cashews for an extra bit of crunch. I have subbed the suggested honey for maple syrup and vegan honey to make it 100% vegan.
    Make this Recipe
    hand with chopstick picking a bite from a claypot tofu bowl.

    Chinese Braised Tofu in a Clay Pot

    You need to give this Chinese clay pot tofu a try! It is super saucy, flavorful, and delicious, yet easy to prepare. Just braise tofu and pour a corn starch- and garlic sauce slurry on top for the final touch! I have made a variation by adding green beans for extra crunch and using stinky tofu to this recipe, giving it even more profound depth, completely optional!
    Make this Recipe
    black pepper tofu served with black chop sticks.

    Black Pepper Tofu

    This vegan black pepper tofu recipe is everything you ever wanted tofu to be. It’s crispy on the outside, light and airy inside, and smothered in a savory, sweet, fiery black pepper sauce.
    Make this Recipe
    stir-fried tofu with bean sprouts on a black flat plate.

    Chinese Tofu Sprouts Stir Fried with Veggies

    Stir-fried tofu with bean sprouts and mushrooms- a delicious vegan Chinese stir-fry recipe that's delicious and easy to make. If you are an Asian markets lover and looking for healthy ways to eat tastily, then this is a must-try recipe.
    Make this Recipe
    tofu-made noodles served on white plate.

    Cold Tofu Noodle Salad

    Cold tofu noodles are a perfect summer meal. They're light, refreshing, and easy to make. This recipe for cold tofu noodles is made with dried wood ear mushrooms, and light and dark soy sauce, adding a delicious depth of flavor. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight meal or something to pack for lunch, these cold noodles will surely hit the spot.
    Make this Recipe

    🥡 Puffed tofu recipes

    Looking for new ways to enjoy puffed tofu in your cooking? Look no further than our collection of Chinese puffed tofu recipes.

    From crispy stir-fries to hearty soups, our recipes are easy to follow and flavorful. Impress your guests with delicious and unique dishes featuring this versatile ingredient.

    Whether you're a tofu lover or looking for new vegetarian recipes, our puffed ones will surely delight your taste buds.

    szechuan tofu served with chopstick on a dark serving plate.
    Photo credit: Daily Dish
    vegan Chinese curry plate.

    Vegan Chinese Curry

    Vegan Chinese curry with all the ingredients and goodness of a traditional Chinese takeaway, only it’s homemade, healthier, and affordable! Ready in only 30 minutes and it is made in one pot!
    Make this Recipe
    air-fryer crispy salt and pepper tofu

    Air fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu

    Crispy Salt and Pepper Tofu made in the Air Fryer is a life-changing, high protein, low-calorie vegan snack you'd want to make over and over again! This classic Chinese-Cantonese crispy tofu appetizer is made with a few simple ingredients and is vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, and gluten-free!
    Make this Recipe
    general tso tofu recipe served in flat white plate with lemon wedges.
    Photo credit: No Sweat Vegan
    general tso tofu recipe served in flat white plate with lemon wedges.

    General Tso Tofu Recipe

    Whether you’re a meat-lover or not, this General Tso’s Tofu, a Chinese-American recipe, will have you coming back for more. It’s crispy, saucy, and perfectly spiced. Plus, it’s vegan and gluten-free! Serve it with Jasmine rice and your favorite vegetable for a delicious weeknight meal.
    Make this Recipe
    szechuan tofu served with chopstick on a dark serving plate.

    Crispy Szechuan Style Tofu Sauce

    This crispy Szechuan tofu is tangy, sweet, and made with a spicy sauce. Crispy baked tofu is tossed with red peppers and Szechuan spices for the ultimate Chinese dinner.
    Make this Recipe
    crispy gochujang tofu plate topped with green onions and served next to a pot.

    Crispy Gochujang Tofu

    This vegan crispy gochujang tofu is a great source of plant-based protein that provides incredible flavors and is fantastic make-ahead dish. The sauce is spicy, savory, slightly sweet, and oh-so-addictive!
    Make this Recipe

    🍛 Medium tofu dishes

    Looking for tasty Chinese medium tofu recipes? Look no further! Our collection of delicious recipes featuring this versatile ingredient includes braised and hearty stir-fried tofu.

    Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, our easy-to-follow recipes and helpful tips will guide you every step of the way.

    vegan stir fry tofu with vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Nomms
    vegan stir fry tofu with vegetables.

    Tofu and Veggie Stir Fry with Sprouts

    We use high protein Marinated Tofu for this healthy Chinese New Year vegetarian dish. The colorful variety of 5 ingredients signifies good fortune, radiance, and abundance.
    Make this Recipe
    braised tofu with broccoli and carrots in white bowl.

    Chinese Braised Tofu

    This vegan braised tofu dish is a true example of Chinese cuisine. This broccoli tofu recipe is easy to make and so delicious! The Chinese braised tofu is cooked in a savory sauce made with a vegan substitute for oyster sauce, garlic, minced ginger, and soy sauce. It's served with tender snap peas and makes a perfect weeknight dinner. Enjoy!
    Make this Recipe
    spicy sesame tofu with mushrooms.

    Spicy Sesame Seeds Tofu Stir-fry

    This Spicy Sesame Tofu Stir Fry is a healthier homemade version of a popular Chinese restaurant take-out. Lightly pan-fried tofu bites tossed with crunchy snow peas, tender mushrooms, and nutty sesame seeds - all coated in a sweet soy glaze with a punch of heat! It is a hearty and delicious comfort food that only takes 30 minutes to make using one pan.
    Make this Recipe
    vegan chop suey served with jasmine rice and chopsticks.

    Vegan Chop Suey

    This Vegan Chop Suey is the perfect meal when you feel like eating something flavourful, easy to make, and packed with veggies. This American-Chinese stir fry is made with a delicious sauce that will leave you craving for more.
    Make this Recipe

    🍮 Soft tofu recipes

    Looking for delicious Chinese soft tofu recipes? Check out our collection of mouth-watering recipes featuring this versatile ingredient.

    From savory soups to flavorful stir-fries, we've got you covered with easy-to-follow instructions and helpful tips for making the perfect dish.

    Get ready to impress your family and friends with these amazing soft tofu recipes!

    A classic from the soft tofu recipes is this cold tofu served which is served on a plate with a red green onions sauce on top.
    Photo credit: Couple Eats Food
    cold silken tofu serves on a plate with green onions sauce on top.

    Cold Soft Tofu

    Cold silken tofu is a simple side dish that is popular in East Asia. We love it because it's a no-cook recipe, and is ready in 5 minutes top! This savory tofu dish requires a handful of basic ingredients, and will make any non-tofu lover turn into a tofu fanatic!
    Make this Recipe
    tomato vegan tofu scramble bowl.

    Vegan Chinese Tomato "Egg"

    Think vegan Chinese food is all about steamed vegetables and rice? Think again! This vegan Chinese tomato "egg" dish will redefine your idea of what cruelty-free cuisine can be. Best of all, it's incredibly easy to make with any type of tofu, including soft tofu. So get out of your wok, and let's get cooking!
    Make this Recipe

    Making steamed tofu is another great way to use your soft tofu. We particularly like the steamed tofu recipe from the Chinese Sichuan Cuisine Food Blog, which also has a traditional Mapo Tofu recipe made with fermented black beans. We replace the minced meat with vegan mock meat.

    🍚 How to serve

    Clearly, the most popular side dish in Chinese cuisine is sweet rice which is glutinous rice and is also known as sticky rice. Chinese cooking is used in various recipes, including savory, desserts, and sweets dishes.

    Always serve using a small bowl next to the main dish.

    We LOVE sticky rice, but since we move a lot, sometimes we have a hard time finding it, so we more easily replace it with Jasmine rice, which is more easily found!

    If you just want a healthier side dish or to watch your waistline, go for Cauliflower Rice.

    🍱 Tips for cooking vegan Chinese food

    • Oyster sauce vegan substitute - lots of Chinese recipes call for oyster sauce, which is not vegan; you can replace it with mushroom sauce or simply soy sauce.
    • Honey vegan substitute - another common ingredient found in Chinese recipes; look for vegan honey, date paste, or maple syrup. You can also use coconut or brown sugar, as we do in our maple-glazed tofu recipe.
    • Meat - use your favorite vegan mock meat or meat alternatives like Beyond Burger, Impossible Burger, TVP (texture vegetable protein made from soy), or even soy curls.
    • Soy sauce - a wide variety of soy sauces that can impact the result of your recipes. You will find light soy sauce, medium, and dark soy sauce, among others. A gluten-free alternative to soy sauce is tamari sauce.
    • Chili - is one of the most commonly used ingredients in Chinese cuisine in dishes like Kung Pao Tofu.
    • Vegetable oil - use sesame oil, peanut oil, or even chili oil to add some heat. You can also use soybean oil, just try to avoid hydrogenated oils.
    • Corn starch - used when you need to make crispy tofu; you coal the pressed firm tofu, then coat it with starch, and either pan fry or bake the tofu cubes; this helps to keep the smooth texture inside—Sub with arrowroot starch.
    • Rice vinegar - this ingredient is essential to add acidity to Chinese braised tofu, sauces, and stir-fries. You may use Shaoxing wine, use in smaller quantities, as rice vinegar doesn't contain alcohol and this wine does.

    Read on: how to prepare tofu »

    👨🏻‍🍳 Garnishing

    Use green onion, scallions, bean sprouts, peanuts, and sesame seeds.

    Lastly, learn how to plan a Vegan Chinese hot-pot dinner in this phenomenal article from lovely Jellie from Earth to Veg, where she gracefully decodes hot-pot Chinese recipes!

    Tofu is such a versatile ingredient that you can use not only in Chinese and Yellow and Red Thai curries recipes but even make fantastic Italian recipe variations like a creamy tofu pesto.

    You can simply pair your delicious tofu recipes with other quick and healthy green bean recipes; check our collection!

    Go and play with all those tofu recipes waiting for you to enjoy!

    📚 More Asian Tofu Recipes

    • Hawaiian tofu rice bowl with homemade teriyaki sauce.
      Hawaiian Tofu Rice Bowl
    • Vegan Thai Red Curry
      Vegan Thai Red Curry with Tofu
    • vegan crispy teriyaki tofu puffs featured.
      Crispy Teriyaki Tofu Puffs
    • bowl of vegetarian Thai yellow Curry.
      Vegetarian Thai Yellow Curry Recipe

    Nutritional Disclaimer

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.

    Affiliate Disclaimer

    Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.

    gustavo de obaldia headshot.
    Gustavo De Obaldia
    Website |  + postsBio

    As the lead content writer and recipe developer at Our Plant-Based World, he combines his passion for health and sustainability with a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification to create accessible, delicious vegan recipes. His expertise in plant-based cooking supports the blog's mission of fostering a healthier, environmentally conscious lifestyle through simple and seasonal dishes. His commitment to making vegan cooking enjoyable and inclusive for everyone shines in each recipe and article.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Rachel

      October 11, 2022 at 10:32 pm

      Can't decide which recipe to try first, they all look so good!

      Reply
    2. Katie

      October 11, 2022 at 4:40 pm

      These Chinese tofu recipes are incredible! I've tried a couple and I loved them, so I can't wait to make the rest!

      Reply
    3. Holly

      October 11, 2022 at 8:56 am

      Wow - So many great recipes here! I want to make them all! I'm bookmarking this post for future reference.

      Reply

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