Vegan Tofu Pad See Ew

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!

💚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

📃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.

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.

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.

✔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.

More vegan Asian dinners

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