Vegan Crispy Tofu Banh Mi (Printable)

Golden tofu with quick-pickled veggies over jasmine rice, topped with spicy mayo and fresh herbs.

# What You’ll Use:

→ 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 - 1-2 tablespoons sriracha
15 - 1 teaspoon lime juice

→ Garnishes

16 - ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
17 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
18 - 2 scallions, sliced
19 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
20 - Lime wedges

# How-To:

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, stirring occasionally until ready to serve.
02 - Pat tofu cubes dry with paper towels. Toss tofu with soy sauce in a large bowl, 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 and cook, turning occasionally, until golden and crispy on all sides, approximately 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat.
04 - Prepare jasmine rice according to package instructions if not already cooked. Divide among serving bowls.
05 - Combine vegan mayonnaise, sriracha, and lime juice in a small bowl, stirring until well incorporated.
06 - Top cooked rice 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 Advice:

01 -
  • The crispy tofu actually tastes good, not like a sad protein substitute, and it takes just minutes to achieve that perfect golden crunch.
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble bowls whenever you're hungry, making it perfect for batch cooking or feeding a crowd.
  • It's a complete meal in one bowl—protein, vegetables, grain, and sauce—without feeling heavy or complicated.
02 -
  • Pressing your tofu beforehand is non-negotiable—I used to skip it thinking it was unnecessary extra work, then realized it's the difference between crispy and disappointing.
  • Don't overcrowd the skillet when cooking tofu; you need space between each cube so steam can escape and crispiness can happen.
  • The pickled vegetables taste better after sitting for at least 10 minutes, so start them first and everything else will fall into place timing-wise.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 30 seconds before sprinkling them on—this tiny step multiplies their nuttiness and makes them taste intentional.
  • Arrange your garnishes in lines or piles rather than mixing them in; this way, each spoonful can include whatever you're in the mood for.
  • Keep lime wedges separate and squeeze them over just before eating so the acid is bright and sharp, not absorbed into the rice.
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