Crisped Tofu Vermicelli Bowl with Nuoc Cham Dressing

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant Vietnamese noodle bowl featuring pan-fried tofu, fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and a classic tangy-sweet nuoc cham dipping sauce. This vietnamese-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 30 minutes pairs ounces vermicelli rice noodles, tablespoons vegetable oil, medium cucumber, julienned for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 360 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Press and cube 14 ounces firm tofu, then heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry tofu cubes for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until all sides are golden and crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  2. Step 2: Soak 8 ounces vermicelli rice noodles in warm water for 15 minutes, then drain and briefly rinse under cold water.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons fish sauce, 2 teaspoons sugar, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 minced small red chili, and 1/4 cup warm water until sugar dissolves to make nuoc cham dressing.
  4. Step 4: Divide noodles into bowls, top with fried tofu, 1 medium julienned cucumber, 1 medium julienned carrot, and a mix of 1/2 cup each fresh mint, cilantro, and Thai basil leaves.
  5. Step 5: Drizzle nuoc cham dressing over each bowl and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts and lime wedges for squeezing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Crisped Tofu Vermicelli Bowl with Nuoc Cham Dressing take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 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 Crisped Tofu Vermicelli Bowl with Nuoc Cham Dressing?

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 tablespoons vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Crisped Tofu Vermicelli Bowl with Nuoc Cham Dressing?

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 Crisped Tofu Vermicelli Bowl with Nuoc Cham Dressing 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 Crisped Tofu Vermicelli Bowl with Nuoc Cham Dressing 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.

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