Vegan Crispy Tofu Banh Mi (Print Version)

Golden crispy tofu meets tangy pickled vegetables and fragrant jasmine rice in this vibrant Vietnamese-inspired bowl topped with zesty sriracha mayo.

# 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

# How to Make It:

01 - In a bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Add julienned carrot, daikon radish, and sliced cucumber. Toss to coat and set aside, stirring occasionally.
02 - Pat tofu cubes dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss tofu 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 directions if not already cooked.
05 - Mix vegan mayonnaise, sriracha, and lime juice in a small bowl until well combined.
06 - Divide cooked jasmine rice among serving bowls. Top with drained pickled vegetables, crispy tofu, cilantro, jalapeño, scallions, and sesame seeds. Drizzle with sriracha mayo and serve with lime wedges.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Crispy tofu that actually stays crispy, not mushy or bland like some attempts I've made.
  • The pickled vegetables add a tangy brightness that makes the whole bowl feel alive and refreshing.
  • Comes together in under 45 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something exciting.
  • Completely plant-based but so satisfying that nobody will notice the lack of meat.
02 -
  • Pressing your tofu isn't optional—it's non-negotiable for achieving that crispy texture that makes this bowl sing instead of deliver something soft and disappointing.
  • Don't skip letting the pickled vegetables sit; they transform from crunchy raw vegetables into something that tastes intentional and balanced within just a few minutes.
03 -
  • Make your pickled vegetables ahead of time; they actually taste better after sitting overnight and add life to your week in multiple meals.
  • If your tofu isn't getting crispy enough, your oil temperature is too low or you're crowding the pan; give each cube space to develop its crust.
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