This delicious Teriyaki Tofu Soba Noodle Salad is a solid recipe that needs to be in your weekly cooking repertoire. It has crispy pan-fried tofu and soba noodles tossed in the most delicious homemade teriyaki dressing. Fresh veggies and herbs add a wonderful crunch. Hot or cold, this soba noodle salad makes a nutritious light meal.
How To Make A Vegan Soba Noodle Salad In 4 Steps
- Pan-Fry The Tofu
Use firm tofu that can be sliced and pan-fried. Start by removing the tofu slab from the packaging and draining all the liquid. Place the tofu slab between two paper towels and press down to squeeze as much liquid as you can. Replace with fresh paper towels if the first set gets completely soaked. Cut tofu into half-inch thick rectangle pieces (as pictured). Toss in cornflour, salt and pepper and pan-fry on a grill pan to get those beautiful grill marks.
2. Make The Homemade Teriyaki Dressing
This simple teriyaki dressing can be made by just mixing ingredients in a bowl. You can make this dressing well in advance and store in a lidded glass jar in the fridge. It keeps well in the fridge for up to two weeks.
3. Prep The Veggies
Green beans and edamame beans can be frozen or fresh. They need to be blanched briefly in boiling water before use to make them tender.
4. Cook The Soba Noodles
The instructions on the noodle packaging are often spot on. But as a rule of thumb, drop soba noodles in boiling water for 4 minutes, remove and refresh in cold water until they come to room temperature. Drain in a colander and use straight away. If using later, keep them submerged in a bit of cool water so they don't stick. When ready to use, drain and use as per the recipe.
Soba Noodle Salad Is A Great Lunchbox Option
Once all elements are ready, you just need to toss everything up in a large bowl. Add herbs and sesame seeds and enjoy straight away. This salad tastes wonderful when slightly warm and even better when it is cold. It travels well making it ideal for picnics, pot lucks or work lunches.
Individual elements like pan-fried tofu and teriyaki dressing can be used in a range of other dishes. Tofu can easily be replaced by chicken or salmon for more variety.
Recipe
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Ingredients
For the tofu
- 450 g firm tofu
- 3 tablespoons cornflour
- 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes
- crushed black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the teriyaki sauce dressing
- ¼ cup (60 ml) light soy sauce
- ¼ cup (60 ml) cooking sake
- ¼ cup (60 ml) mirin
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar, or brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon miso paste
For the noodles
- 270 g dry soba noodles, Note 1
- 1 large carrot, cut into matchsticks
- 1 cup, sliced green cabbage
- 150 g green beans
- 300 g edamame beans, fresh or frozen, Note 2
- Handful of coriander leaves, chopped
- White and black sesame seeds, to garnish
Instructions
- Press the tofu slab between paper towels until all the liquid has been absorbed and tofu is quite dry to touch. Cut tofu into thick batons (4cm X 2cm). Place in a large bowl along with cornflour, salt and pepper. Toss gently to coat the tofu evenly with the cornflour. Heat oil in a large ribbed or regular frying pan on medium-high heat. Add tofu pieces and pan fry for approximately 7-8 minutes, turning occasionally till evenly browned. Remove from heat and place in a large mixing bowl.
- Prepare the dressing by combining soy sauce, cooking sake, mirin and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and cool for a few minutes. Add ginger and miso paste and mix well. Dressing can be stored in the fridge until ready to use (up to a week).
- Prepare the noodles by dropping them in a pot of rapidly boiling water. Cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Rinse and drain several times under cold water until noodles are cool and each strand is silky and separated. Cover them in cold water until ready to use (this prevents them from sticking and getting stodgy).
- Blanch green beans by cooking in boiling water for a few seconds until they turn a shade darker and then cooling them quickly in cold water. Slice them in half.
- To assemble the salad, drain and add the noodles to the tofu in the large mixing bowl. Add carrot, cabbage, green beans, edamame and coriander. Add the dressing and mix well until everything is evenly coated. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.
- Salad will keep in the fridge for up to three days. Can be eaten cold, at room temperature, or slightly warmed.
can we use something besides cooking saka, can not find
You could use Rice Wine Vinegar, Shaoxing Wine (Chinese Cooking wine) or just plain white vinegar mixed with half a teaspoon of sugar. Hope that helps!
Well detailed recipy! So amazing! Thanks for sharing with us 🙂
Hello, I am a big fan of tofu! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us, bravo and keep going!
Thank you
When do you add the sugar in the Teriyaki sauce recipe? Before boiling or after?
Hello Jenny, thanks for catching that. I have fixed it now in the recipe. You add the sugar when you are boiling. cheers!