Looking for more delicious ways to use tofu? Check out this collection of the best Chinese Tofu Recipes! From Stuffed Breakfast Pancakes, to Vegan Spam, Vegan Mapo Tofu, and Tofu pudding, you’ll be cooking up a storm using this versatile and inexpensive plant-based protein in no time.
Types of Tofu
Before diving into the recipes, it’s important to have a basic understanding of tofu to know which level of firmness is best for your recipe. Here’s a quick run down on the most common types of soy tofu you’ll find in grocery stores, as well as some of their ideal uses.
Silken Tofu
Silken tofu is the softest type of tofu, almost custard like. It’s great for blending into creamy sauces, using in soups like Miso Soup, and even using to make soft tofu scrambled eggs.
Check out my top favorite Silken Tofu Recipes here.
Medium Tofu
‘Medium’ and ‘firm’ tofu are some of the most versatile; they’re soft enough to make recipes like vegan ricotta cheese, yet still firm enough to be or cubed and fried or used it as a meat substitute.
Extra Firm Tofu
Extra firm tofu is one of the most common tofus used in plant-based recipes and is ideal for baking, frying, and air frying (including several of the Chinese tofu recipes below!).
It’s the firmest tofu you will find that still comes in a tub of water. Before using, drain this water and either press or crumble this tofu into tofu bolognese or copycat Chipotle sofritas.
Super Firm Tofu
Super firm tofu comes vacuum sealed in plastic (instead of a tub of water) and are pre-pressed to remove as much excess moisture as possible. It’s a great substitute for extra-firm tofu, especially if you like your tofu as firm as possible.
Give it a try with my Sticky Vegan Orange Chicken and 30 Minute Crispy Peanut Tofu.
Frozen Tofu
A popular technique for changing the texture of tofu is freezing it. When tofu is frozen, the water content freezes into ice crystals that expand which pushes apart the protein network. After thawing, these ice crystals melt, leaving the tofu with a spongier texture that actually makes it more meat-like and chewy like chicken. This texture is very similar to the tofu you’ve probably tried at Chinese restaurants.
To freeze tofu, simply place the unopened package in the freezer and freeze for at least 12 hours and up to 3 months. When you thaw it, don’t be alarmed that the tofu may be a little more yellow (this is normal!).
If you would like to make twice-frozen tofu (which makes great “chicken” nuggets, by the way), freeze the tofu overnight once, thaw it, and freeze and thaw it again, all without opening the package. Once thawed and you are ready to use it, open the package, and drain the fluid.
The Best Chinese Tofu Recipes
If you’ve got a few bricks of tofu in the fridge and you don’t know what to make, peruse this list of the best Chinese tofu recipes and make your shopping list. Don’t forget to save this post for later!
1. Easy Braised Tofu
Easy Braised Tofu 家常豆腐 by The Plant Based Wok
2. Chinese-Style Savoury Stuffed Breakfast Pancakes
Chinese-Style Savoury Stuffed Breakfast Pancakes by The Foodie Takes Flight
3. Spicy Hunan Steamed Tofu & Mushrooms
Spicy Hunan Steamed Tofu & Mushrooms by The Woks of Life
4. General Tso’s Cauliflower and Tofu
General Tso’s Cauliflower and Tofu by Cinnamon Society
5. Home Style Tofu (Tofu Stir-Fry)
Home Style Tofu—Tofu Stir-fry Recipe by China Sichuan Food
6. Braised Eggplant with Tofu
Braised Eggplant with Tofu by Wok and Kin
7. Spicy Cold Tofu
Spicy Cold Tofu by My Chinese Home Kitchen
8. Tofu Pudding – Doufu Hua
Tofu Pudding – Doufu Hua (豆腐花) by Rasa Malaysia
9. Vegan Tofu Spam
Vegan Tofu “Spam” by The Foodie Takes Flight
10. Tofu Manchurian
Tofu Manchurian by Second Recipe
11. Vegan Mapo Tofu with Caramelized Mushrooms
Vegan Mapo Tofu with Caramelized Mushrooms by Agile Test Kitchen
12. Spicy Chinese Tofu Skin Salad
Spicy Chinese Tofu Skin Salad
13. Crispy Chili Garlic Tofu
Crispy Chili Garlic Tofu Recipe by Seonkyoung Longest
14. Simple Tofu Nori
Simple Tofu Nori by Much Butter
15. Authentic Hunan Tofu
Authentic Hunan Tofu Recipe (Stir-fry In Hunan-style) by Sassy Chopsticks
16. Chinese Tofu Salad
Chinese Tofu Salad by The Woks of Life
17. Marinated Tofu
Marinated Tofu by China Sichuan Food
18. Vegan Dan Dan Noodles
Vegan Dan Dan Noodles by Cinnamon Society
19. Stir-Fried Five Spice Tofu with Garlic Chives
Stir-Fried Five Spice Tofu with Garlic Chives by The Foodie Takes Flight
20. Tea-Brined Tofu
Tea-Brined Tofu 茶香干 by The Plant Based Wok
21. Vegan Chop Suey
Chop Suey (Vegan) by Joyful Dumplings
22. Lon Han Jai (Buddha’s Delight)
Lo Han Jai (Buddha’s Delight 罗汉斋) by Wok and Kin
23. Spicy Chili Tofu Stir Fry
Spicy Chili Tofu Stir Fry Recipe by Table for Two
24. Salt and Pepper Tofu with Sweet Chilli Jam
Salt and Pepper Tofu with Sweet Chilli Jam by The Devil Wears Salad
25. Crispy Pan-Fried Soft Tofu
Crispy Pan-Fried Soft Tofu + 3 Variations by Earth to Veg
26. Fried Tofu with Panko (Chinese-style)
The BEST Fried Tofu with Panko (Chinese-style) by Feed Grump
27. Vegan 1-2-3-4-5 Tofu
Vegan 1-2-3-4-5 Tofu (8 Ingredients!) by The Woks of Life
28. Sichuan Hot Tofu
Sichuan Hot Tofu by China Sichuan Food
29. Kung Pao Tofu
Kung Pao Tofu by Cinnamon Society
30. Chinese Tomato “Egg” Stir-Fry with Silken Tofu
Chinese Tomato “Egg” Stir-Fry with Silken Tofu by The Foodie Takes Flight
31. How to Make Puffed Tofu (Tofu Puffs)
How To Make Puffed Tofu (Tofu Puffs) by Joyful Dumplings
32. Sichuan Doufunao (Spicy Tofu Pudding)
Sichuan Doufunao (Spicy Tofu Pudding) by Earth to Veg
33. Chinese Battered Tofu with Sweet and Sour Sauce
Chinese Battered Tofu with Sweet and Sour Sauce by Feed Grump
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