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    Home » Mains & Entrees

    Vegan Tofu Pad See Ew

    Published: Oct 6, 2021 · Modified: Oct 6, 2021 by Meesha · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Holding a plate of pad see ew with spoon with text overlay.
    2 images of noodles in blue plate with spoon with text in between images.

    This vegan pad see ew features bouncy rice noodles and crispy tofu cooked in a rich and flavorful sauce! This Thai stir-fry noodles is hearty, filling and naturally gluten-free. Quick to make and is ready in 30 minutes.

    Taking out some noodles with a pair of wooden chopsticks from a blue plate.

    Noodles dishes are one of my favorite quick meal to make, and this vegan pad see ew is right up there with my other noodles recipe including this teriyaki soba noodles and tofu peanut butter noodles. It comes together super quickly, yet is also incredibly tasty and hearty at the same time!

    Jump to:
    • 💚Why you will love this recipe
    • 🤔What is pad see ew
    • 🍜Noodles used
    • 🧄What you will need
    • 📃Notes/substitutions
    • 🔪How to make
    • ✔Helpful tips
    • ✨Variations/optional add-ins
    • ❔Commonly asked questions
    • More vegan Asian dinners
    • 📖 Recipe

    💚Why you will love this recipe

    • Packed with flavors and better than restaurant ones - Seriously, skip the takeout and try making this tofu pad see ew at home instead! Homemade ones not only taste better, but is healthier too.
    • Fuss-free and quick to throw together - Everything can be made in a pan, and dinner is ready in just under 30 minutes. It is also beginner-friendly too!
    • A family favorite and meat-eaters approved - This dish gets a big thumbs-up from my non-vegan family, and is just one of those recipes that even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy!

    🤔What is pad see ew

    Pad see ew, which can be directly translated to "fried soy sauce", is an incredibly popular street food in Thailand. Traditional ones usually features wide rice noodles, Chinese broccoli (aka gai lan), eggs and some sort of protein stir-fried in soy sauce and other seasonings.

    To make vegan pad see ew, we will be omitting the eggs and using tofu as our protein source. Equally delicious but made without animal products!

    🍜Noodles used

    Traditionally, pad see ew is made using Sen Yai noodles, which are fresh wide rice noodles. I would say it is pretty much the same as kuey teow, which is what I am using here. They are usually packed in plastic bags, and can be found in most Asian groceries.

    However, as fresh rice noodles are pretty hard to find outside Asia, you can use dried flat rice noodles instead. Just cook it according to package instructions beforehand, and rinse it under cold water.

    In a pinch, fettuccine pasta will be your best bet. You can use normal wheat ones, gluten-free ones or those made from beans if you are looking to get in more protein.

    🧄What you will need

    Ingredients needed like gai lan, rice noodles, tofu, garlic and cornstach on a grey background.
    Ingredients needed for sauce like soy sauce, maple syrup and vinegar on a grey background.

    📃Notes/substitutions

    • Fresh rice noodles - You can use dried ones instead. Cook and rinse it under cold water before using. Fettuccine pasta can also be used at a push.
    • Tofu - Make sure to use extra firm tofu that had been drained and pressed beforehand.
    • Gai lan - Also known as Chinese broccoli. Can be substituted with other Chinese greens like boy choy and choy sum.
    • Maple syrup - Other sweetener can be used in place like regular table sugar, brown sugar or agave syrup.

    🔪How to make

    If using dried noodles, cook it according to package instructions, then rinse under cold water. If using fresh noodles, separate strands of noodles using your fingers.

    Make the sauce by combining everything needed.

    Mix together cornstarch with salt. In a zip-top bag, place in tofu cubes and cornstarch mixture. Toss the bag until all tofu cubes are evenly coated.

    Heat up a tablespoon of oil in a non-stick wok or pan on medium high heat. Place tofu in one layer and cook for 2-3 minutes on each sides, or until most sides are perfectly seared. Set aside.

    Collage showing tofu cubes in a bag and cooked tofu in a black pan.

    Add in another ½ tablespoon of oil to the pan and saute garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add in gai lan next and cook for another 3-4 minutes until softened.

    Collage showing cooking garlic then adding in gai lan in a cast iron skillet.

    Stir in noodles with the sauce and mix until everything is well combined. Cook for a few minutes, until noodles are thoroughly warmed and caramelized. Add in cooked tofu. Give it a taste, adding more seasonings if needed.

    Pad see ew in a cast iron skillet.

    Serve and enjoy tofu pad see ew immediately.

    ✔Helpful tips

    • If your fresh rice noodles are cold and hard, place the whole packet in the microwave and microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed. You can then proceed on separating noodles into individual strands.
    • If you are using dried noodles, slightly undercook them. Cook them 1-2 minutes less than the suggested cooking time to prevent noodles from sticking when stir-frying.
    • Do remember to prep all ingredients in advance and keep them near you while cooking. Stir-frying is a really quick process, and requires constant tossing!
    • Use a large enough pan or wok. I do highly recommend using a non-stick wok, if possible. This prevents ingredients from leaping out of the pan during cooking.
    • This vegan pad see ew is best enjoyed immediately after cooking. They tend to dry up and clump together after sitting around for a while, but you can fix that by reheating it with a splash of water.

    ✨Variations/optional add-ins

    If you are not a fan of tofu, feel free to omit it completely, or use another protein source in place like tempeh, sliced seitan, or cubed vegan chicken tenders.

    Although I am not using any substitute for eggs in this recipe, you can cook up some vegan egg substitute like Just egg and stir it into your vegan pad see ew.

    If you like heat, add in a teaspoon or so of chili flakes. You can also top it with some sriracha or hot sauce before serving.

    For some extra crunch and texture, top it with some toasted sesame seeds or toasted crushed peanuts before serving.

    Noodles in cast iron skillet with chopsticks, chopped scallions, soy sauce and plates beside.

    ❔Commonly asked questions

    What does it taste like?

    Pad see ew is savory and rich, with a hint of sweetness and sourness to it. It also has a subtle chargrilled flavor that is formed when noodles are caramelized with the sauce when cooking.

    Is it gluten-free?

    As all ingredients used in this vegan pad see ew is free from gluten, this dish is naturally gluten-free. However, make sure that your soy sauce and dark soy sauce are certified gluten-free, as some brands might contain wheat.

    What kinds of noodles are used to make this dish?

    Freshly made wide rice noodles, also known as Sen Yai, are traditionally used to make pad see ew. However, if you can't find any, dried wide rice noodles or pad Thai noodles are great substitutes for it. You will need to cook them beforehand, though.

    Holding a plate of pad see ew with ceramic spoon beside.

    More vegan Asian dinners

    • Vegan Tofu Chop Suey
    • Basmati Chana Pulao (Chickpea Rice)
    • Vegan Chinese Tofu 'Egg' Protein Fried Rice
    • Flavorful Crispy Vegan Orange Tofu Chicken

    If you did make this recipe, do leave a rating and comment down below, we love hearing from you! Subscribe to My Plantiful Cooking to get new recipes delivered straight to your inbox! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get the latest updates. 😉

    📖 Recipe

    Pad see ew on a blue plate with a pair of chopsticks and spoon beside.

    Vegan Tofu Pad See Ew

    Meesha
    This vegan pad see ew features bouncy rice noodles and crispy tofu cooked in a rich and flavorful sauce! This Thai stir-fry noodles is hearty, filling and naturally gluten-free. Quick to make and is ready in 30 minutes.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Thai
    Servings 3 servings
    Calories 276 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For noodles

    • 16 oz fresh rice noodles or 7 oz dried (see notes)*
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch or tapioca starch/potato starch/arrowroot starch
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 14 oz block extra firm tofu drained, pressed and cubed**
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 6 stalks gai lan aka Chinese broccoli (cut into 2 inch pieces) ***

    For the sauce

    • 2 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
    • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
    • ½ tablespoon maple syrup or other sweetener of choice
    • ½ tablespoon rice vinegar
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • If using dried noodles, cook it according to package instructions, then rinse under cold water. If using fresh noodles, separate strands of noodles using your fingers.
      16 oz fresh rice noodles
    • Make the sauce by combining everything needed.
      2 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce, ½ tablespoon rice vinegar, ½ tablespoon maple syrup
    • Mix together cornstarch with salt. In a zip-top bag, place in tofu cubes and cornstarch mixture. Toss the bag until all tofu cubes are evenly coated.
      1 tablespoon cornstarch, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 14 oz block extra firm tofu
    • Heat up a tablespoon of oil in a non-stick wok or pan on medium high heat. Place tofu in one layer and cook for 2-3 minutes on each sides, or until most sides are perfectly seared. Set aside.
    • Add in another ½ tablespoon of oil to the pan and saute garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add in gai lan next and cook for another 3-4 minutes until softened.
      3 cloves garlic, 6 stalks gai lan
    • Stir in noodles with the sauce and mix until everything is well combined. Cook for a few minutes, until noodles are thoroughly warmed and caramelized. Add in cooked tofu. Give it a taste, adding more seasonings if needed.
    • Serve and enjoy tofu pad see ew immediately.

    Notes

    *Fresh rice noodles - You can use dried ones instead. Cook and rinse it under cold water before using. Fettuccine pasta can also be used at a push.
    **Tofu - Press tofu either by using a tofu press, or by stacking something heavy on top. Check out this post on how to press tofu for a more detailed instructions. 
    ***Gai lan - Also known as Chinese broccoli. Can be substituted with other Chinese greens like boy choy and choy sum.
     
    Helpful tips
    • If your fresh rice noodles are cold and hard, place the whole packet in the microwave and microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed. You can then proceed on separating noodles into individual strands.
    • If you are using dried noodles, slightly undercook them. Cook then 1-2 minutes less than the suggested cooking time to prevent noodles from sticking when stir-frying.
    • This dish is best enjoyed immediately after cooking. They tend to dry up and clump together after sitting around for a while, but you can fix that by reheating it with a splash of water.
     
    Storing - Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 276kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 14gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1524mgPotassium: 338mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1251IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 3mg

    Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. CAROL

      November 12, 2021 at 6:08 am

      1524mg sodium per serving!! YIKES. That's more than 3 times my allotment per meal! How would you suggest getting that down to 450mg sodium per serving?

      Reply
      • Meesha

        November 12, 2021 at 8:01 am

        You can use low sodium soy sauce in place of regular soy sauce. And a reminder that the nutritional info is just a rough estimate.😊

        Reply
      • M

        May 31, 2022 at 7:13 pm

        And why would you add salt to the recipe? Use less soy sauce and skip the salt.

        Reply

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