Delicious Chinese Tofu Lunch Ideas: Flavorful Recipes to Satisfy Your Cravings

Hey there, looking for some Chinese lunch ideas? We’ve covered you with many delicious tofu-based dishes that will fill your belly and taste buds. Whether you’re a tofu lover or want to add more plant-based options to your meals, these recipes will hit the spot. So let’s get into the world of tasty stir-fries, savoury sauces and comforting noodle soups that will make your lunchtime special.

Key Points

• Tofu can be prepared in many ways to enhance its taste and texture.
• Tofu is a plant-based protein, essential amino acids, iron and calcium source.
• Mapo tofu is a customizable dish that can be adjusted to different spice levels and ingredients.
• Tofu adds protein, flavour, and texture to Chinese lunch dishes, such as Kung Pao tofu and noodle soup.

Tofu Stir-Fry With Vegetables

To make a tofu stir-fry with vegetables, marinate them, chop them, and then stir-fry them together in a hot wok. Regarding tofu nutrition, remember that tofu is a good source of protein and contains all nine essential amino acids our body needs. It’s also a good source of iron and calcium, so it’s a nutritious addition to any meal. Tofu cooking methods vary, but for a stir-fry, you must press the tofu first to remove excess water and then marinate it to infuse flavour.

Marinating the tofu in a savoury sauce makes a big difference. For our tofu cooking methods, we cut the tofu into small pieces and stir-fry until it’s golden brown and slightly crispy. This adds texture to the dish. The combination of marinated tofu and fresh vegetables is a colourful and tasty stir-fry that’s filling and nutritious.

1. Press and drain 1 block of extra-firm tofu for 30 minutes.
2. Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes and coat with 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
3. Pan-fry tofu in 2 tablespoons oil until crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side.
4. In the same pan, stir-fry 1 sliced bell pepper, 1 sliced onion, and 2 cups mixed vegetables for 3-4 minutes.
5. To make the sauce, Whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil.
6. Add tofu back to the pan with vegetables, pour in the sauce, and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well-coated

Now, let’s move on to the next tofu dish: map tofu with Sichuan peppercorns.

Mapo Tofu With Sichuan Peppercorns

We love making mapo tofu with Sichuan peppercorns for its bold and spicy flavour. The Sichuan peppercorn adds a numbing and tingling sensation to the dish, taking it to a new level. This classic Sichuan dish has many mapo tofu variations, and we like experimenting with different spice levels and ingredients to find the perfect balance for our taste buds.

One of the best things about mapo tofu is that it’s customizable. You can adjust the heat by adding more or less chilli bean paste and Sichuan peppercorns to your liking. Some variations include using different types of ground meat or adding extra vegetables to make it more wholesome. We like to customize our mapo tofu by adding mushrooms or bamboo shoots to add texture and depth to the dish.

1. Cut 1 block of soft tofu into 1-inch cubes.
2. To make the sauce, Mix 2 tablespoons doubanjiang, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 cup chicken stock, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a wok. Add 1/4 pound ground pork and cook until browned.
4. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon minced ginger, stir-fry for 30 seconds.
5. Pour in the sauce and bring to a simmer. Add tofu cubes gently.
6. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until tofu is heated through.
7. Finish with 1 teaspoon of Sichuan peppercorn powder and chopped scallions.

Mapo tofu with Sichuan peppercorns is a dish that brings us together. It’s warm and comforting. This dish’s bold flavours and customizability make it perfect for a shared meal and a sense of togetherness.

Crispy Tofu With Black Bean Sauce

For lunch, crispy tofu with black bean sauce is a great option to satisfy our craving for something crispy and flavorful. When making this dish, we like experimenting with different tofu marinating methods to infuse the tofu with other flavours. Marinating the tofu in soy sauce, garlic, and ginger gives it a savoury and aromatic taste, while a pinch of Chinese five-spice powder adds warmth and depth.

Besides its great taste, black bean sauce has many health benefits. Black beans are a staple in Chinese cuisine, high in protein, fibre, and various vitamins and minerals. Adding black bean sauce to our meals adds flavour and makes our diet more nutritious and balanced.

1. Press 1 block of firm tofu for 30 minutes, then cut into 1-inch cubes.
2. Coat tofu in 2 tablespoons cornstarch and fry in 3 tablespoons oil until crispy.
3. To make black bean sauce, Mix 2 tablespoons black bean sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1/2 cup water.
4. In a clean wok, stir-fry 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon minced ginger in 1 tablespoon oil.
5. Add sauce to the wok and simmer for 2 minutes.
6. Add fried tofu to the sauce, toss to coat, and cook for another 2 minutes.

Let’s move on to the next tofu lunch idea: Tofu and Broccoli in Garlic Sauce.

Tofu and Broccoli in Garlic Sauce

After marinating the tofu, we stir-fry it with fresh broccoli and garlic sauce to make a flavorful and wholesome dish. Tofu is an excellent source of plant-based protein and has essential amino acids, iron and calcium, so it’s a nutritious addition to this meal. When marinating tofu for this dish, we use a mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar and a pinch of sesame oil to infuse it with savoury flavour. The tofu absorbs the marinade and becomes more flavorful and textured. With green broccoli and rich garlic sauce, this dish has a nice balance of flavours and texture that will leave you feeling full and nourished.

1. Press and cube 1 block of firm tofu.
2. Steam 2 cups broccoli florets for 3 minutes until tender-crisp.
3. To make garlic sauce, Mix 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch.
4. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a wok and fry tofu until golden.
5. Add broccoli and stir-fry for 1 minute.
6. Pour in garlic sauce and cook until thickened about 2 minutes.

Now, let’s move on to ‘spicy kung pao tofu’. Join us as we explore this Chinese classic’s bold and spicy flavours. The heat from the dried chillies, the crunch of the peanuts, and the umami of the soy and hoisin sauce are a thrilling experience for your taste buds.

Spicy Kung Pao Tofu

Ready to continue with tofu lunch ideas? Let’s dive into the bold and spicy flavours of our classic Spicy Kung Pao Tofu. This is a tender tofu, crunchy peanuts and colourful vegetables all coated in a rich, spicy sauce. Here’s why you’ll love it:

• Tofu Options: Silken, firm or extra firm – you have many options.
• Cooking Techniques: Learn how to get the perfect crispiness of tofu while it absorbs the intense Kung Pao flavour.
• Adjustable Heat: Adjust the heat to your liking and make a dish that suits your taste.
• Nutritious Ingredients: This is a healthy lunch option with high protein and nutrients.
• Texture and Flavor: Enjoy savoury, sweet, spicy texture contrast and harmony in every bite.

1. Press and cube 1 block of firm tofu.
2. To make the sauce, Mix 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon cornstarch.
3. Fry tofu in 2 tablespoons oil until crispy.
4. In the same wok, stir-fry 10 dried chilies, 1/2 cup diced bell peppers, and 1/4 cup peanuts for 1 minute.
5. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon minced ginger, stir-fry for 30 seconds.
6. Return tofu to the wok, pour in the sauce, and cook until thickened.

With the lingering Kung Pao tofu aroma, let’s move on to the comforting Tofu Noodle Soup.

Tofu Noodle Soup

Let’s make a comforting Tofu Noodle Soup with fresh vegetables and spices. Tofu noodles are a great source of protein and add texture to the meal. This soup is a great option for meal prep as it can be made ahead and reheated for a quick lunch.

First, we need tofu noodles, which can be found in most supermarkets or Asian markets. These noodles are a great source of protein and a base for the soup. Plus, preparing the tofu noodles is super easy,, so this is a great weekday meal.

Next, gather some fresh vegetables like bok choy, carrots, and mushrooms. These add colour to the soup and nutrients to the dish. Some aromatic spices like ginger, garlic, and a pinch of chilli will add depth to the broth.

1. To make broth, Simmer 6 cups vegetable stock with 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil.
2. Cook 8 oz rice noodles according to package instructions.
3. Cut 1 block of firm tofu into cubes.
4. To the broth, add tofu, 2 cups of mixed vegetables (like bok choy and carrots), and 1 cup of sliced mushrooms.
5. Simmer for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
6. Serve soup over noodles, garnished with chopped cilantro and green onions.

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