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.
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.
‘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.
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
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Easy Braised Tofu 家常豆腐 by The Plant Based Wok
A savory and spicy sauce coats pan-fried tofu and shiitake mushrooms in this delicious Chinese dish. Serve it over rice along with your favorite veggie for an easy but satisfying meal.
Chinese-Style Savoury Stuffed Breakfast Pancakes by The Foodie Takes Flight
Savory pancakes stuffed with scrambled tofu and veggies are great for breakfast or any meal! These protein packed pancakes are made with homemade dough and are a tasty treat.
Spicy Hunan Steamed Tofu & Mushrooms by The Woks of Life
Spicy, flavorful, and packed with goodies like caramelized oyster mushrooms, this Chinese steamed tofu recipe is the perfect dinner for those who like a little spice in their life. This recipe uses silken tofu dressed up with a Hunan chili sauce, ginger, garlic, and scallions.
General Tso’s Cauliflower and Tofu by Cinnamon Society
Use baked or smoked tofu to make this delicious and unique take on General Tso's, a well-known sweet and savory dish. This vegan version of General Tso’s Chicken features crisp roasted cauliflower and red chilies (optional) for a flavorful and healthy dish.
Home Style Tofu—Tofu Stir-fry Recipe by China Sichuan Food
Homestyle cooking is a popular Sichuan-style cooking method. This home style tofu is flavored with traditional ingredients such as doubanjiang (Chinese hot and savory bean paste), soy sauce, cooking wine, garlic, ginger, and scallions.
Braised eggplant with tofu is a flavorful veggie-packed dish that's perfect with rice. Eggplant is simmered until it is silky and is paired with fried tofu in this saucy and savory dish. Swap the honey for agave here.
On warm days, spicy cold tofu is a refreshing yet invigorating cold tofu dish. This recipe uses soft tofu, scallions, garlic, and chili peppers for a delicious and easy protein-packed entree.
Doufu Hua is sweet Chinese tofu pudding and it is a delicious dessert. This easy-to make-recipe uses silken tofu, soy milk, and a sweet syrup to make a cool sweet treat.
Spam is a culinary staple in Hong Kong but it's definitely not vegan. Try this extra firm tofu-based spam that is delicious and flavorful thanks to a simple marinade with complex flavors.
Tofu manchurian is a flavorful tofu dish that goes well with fried rice or noodles. This tofu recipe also features a flavorful sauce and fresh veggies including bell peppers, garlic, and ginger.
Vegan Mapo Tofu with Caramelized Mushrooms by Agile Test Kitchen
Vegan mapo tofu is loaded with classic spicy Sichuan Chinese flavor. Soft tofu and doubanjiang (fermented chili bean paste) are the key ingredients in this saucy tofu dish best served over rice.
Crispy Chili Garlic Tofu Recipe by Seonkyoung Longest
Crispy and sticky, this garlic chili tofu is fast and easy for a weeknight dinner. Serve it with chopped scallions, toasted sesame seeds, and rice or noodles for a satisfying plant-based meal.
Tofu can be a great snack, especially when it's tofu nori, a dish that is both Japanese and Chinese. Tofu is paired with nori (seaweed) and mushrooms, making it a tasty snack or even a meal when paired with rice or noodles.
Authentic Hunan Tofu Recipe (Stir-fry In Hunan-style) by Sassy Chopsticks
Hunan tofu is bold and spicy, making it the perfect plant-based protein to serve with plain steamed rice. This Hunan-style stir fry also includes vegetables, so with rice it is a balanced and satisfying meal.
This light and flavorful Chinese tofu salad is brimming with vegetables and tofu "noodles" made by julienning spiced dried tofu. Make this refreshing yet satisfying healthy dish in just 20 minutes.
Marinated tofu (卤汁豆腐 or 蜜汁豆腐), sometimes referred to as tofu bacon, is often enjoyed as a snack in Chinese cuisine. Deep-fried tofu is coated with a thick sweet or savory sauce and served up as is (or serve with rice and vegetables for a meal).
Dan dan noodles are a quintessential Sichuan dish. Noodles, tofu, shiitake mushrooms, and aromatics are coated in a spicy yet deep and complex sauce, making this rustic dish truly special.
Stir-Fried Five Spice Tofu with Garlic Chives by The Foodie Takes Flight
Garlic or Chinese chives (kuchay), mushrooms, and five spice tofu take this simple stir fry to the next level. A flavorful and healthy dinner doesn't get much easier than stir fry!
Tea-brined tofu is a delicious appetizer or snack, though you can easily make it into a meal by adding a vegetable stir fry or steamed veggies and rice. Pressed tofu is brined with oolong tea along with Chinese herbs and spices.
This vegan chop suey is a Chinese stir fry that is extra saucy. Made with tons of extra veggies, tofu, and sauce so good you'll want to drink it, this healthy meal is best served with steamed rice.
Lo han jai is a delicious vegetarian dish featuring a variety of vegetables and tofu. This tofu and vegetable medley is slow cooked and drizzled with a smooth and tangy sauce.
Salt and Pepper Tofu with Sweet Chilli Jam by The Devil Wears Salad
Restaurant-style crispy salt and pepper tofu is easier to make than you think! Learn how from this easy recipe and serve your tofu with a bowl of homemade sweet chilli jam.
Crispy Pan-Fried Soft Tofu + 3 Variations by Earth to Veg
Crispy pan-fried soft tofu is delicious, restaurant-style tofu that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It goes with basically anything, such as rice, noodles, or vegetables.
The BEST Fried Tofu with Panko (Chinese-style) by Feed Grump
Did you know you can fry silken tofu? Try this recipe that uses savory, salty, and crunchy panko breading for an easy recipe that's ready in just 30 minutes.
Vegan 1-2-3-4-5 Tofu (8 Ingredients!) by The Woks of Life
Sour and sweet, this easy firm tofu recipe uses just 8 ingredients you probably already have at home. Make this easy weeknight tofu for an easy dinner especially if you already have cooked rice in the fridge.
If you love mapo tofu you will definitely love this Sichuan hot tofu. Sichuan peppercorns are a key ingredient in this recipe, along with a few other aromatics.
Don't forget the Sichuan peppercorns in this salty, sweet, sour, and spicy Kung Pao tofu. Serve up this classic, flavorful dish with steamed rice and chopped scallions.
30. Chinese Tomato “Egg” Stir-Fry with Silken Tofu
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Chinese Tomato “Egg” Stir-Fry with Silken Tofu by The Foodie Takes Flight
This silken tofu dish is inspired by Chinese tomato and egg stir fry as well as mapo tofu. A flavorful stir fry made with vegan sausage and JustEgg liquid vegan egg product, this dish is packed with spicy and umami flavor.
How To Make Puffed Tofu (Tofu Puffs) by Joyful Dumplings
Puffed Tofu, also known as Tofu Puffs or bean curd puffs, is a crispy yet airy and spongy tofu. This kind of tofu is crispy on its own and great with a dipping sauce or you can include it in your favorite stir-fry.
Sichuan Doufunao (Spicy Tofu Pudding) by Earth to Veg
Spicy, sweet, salt, and sour, Sichuan Doufunao (spicy tofu pudding) is a flavorful dish that is actually traditionally vegan in Chinese cuisine. Serve this warming dish on chilly nights and it will warm you right up!
33. Chinese Battered Tofu with Sweet and Sour Sauce
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Chinese Battered Tofu with Sweet and Sour Sauce by Feed Grump
Chinese battered tofu is perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Serve it with homemade sweet and sour sauce for an easy and delicious snack or meatless main.
