Chen's Sesame Ginger Noodles with Crispy Tofu
A vibrant vegan stir-fry featuring crispy pressed tofu and a glossy sesame-ginger-hoisin sauce tossed through noodles. This asian-inspired vegan ready in about 40 minutes pairs firm tofu, soy sauce, rice vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 14 oz, pressed and cubed firm tofu
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 8 oz soba noodles
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add 14 oz cubed tofu and cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy on all sides, flipping once.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and 2 tbsp hoisin sauce until smooth.
- Step 3: Cook 8 oz soba noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
- Step 4: Add shredded carrots to the wok with crispy tofu, stir-frying for 2 minutes. Add cooked noodles and the prepared sauce, tossing until evenly coated and heated through for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Garnish with 1/4 cup sliced green onions and 1 tbsp sesame seeds before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chen's Sesame Ginger Noodles with Crispy Tofu take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Chen's Sesame Ginger Noodles with Crispy Tofu?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep firm tofu from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chen's Sesame Ginger Noodles with Crispy Tofu?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chen's Sesame Ginger Noodles with Crispy Tofu for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Chen's Sesame Ginger Noodles with Crispy Tofu vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.








