Vermicelli Noodle Bowl with Grilled Tofu and Nuoc Cham Dressing

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing Vietnamese vermicelli bowl featuring charred tofu, crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and a tangy, sweet-spicy nuoc cham dipping sauce. This Vietnamese recipe (vegan), ready in about 40 minutes, pairs firm tofu, vegetable oil, vermicelli rice noodles for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Press 14 oz firm tofu block to remove excess moisture, then slice into 1/2-inch slabs. Toss with 2 tbsp vegetable oil and lightly salt.
  2. Step 2: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and grill tofu slabs for 3-4 minutes per side until char marks appear and edges crisp.
  3. Step 3: Soak 8 oz vermicelli rice noodles in warm water for 15 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water.
  4. Step 4: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lime juice, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp sugar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 finely chopped bird's eye chili, and 1/4 cup water until sugar dissolves to create nuoc cham dressing.
  5. Step 5: Assemble bowls by layering 2 cups torn lettuce leaves, drained noodles, 1/2 julienned cucumber, 1 cup shredded carrots, grilled tofu, 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves.
  6. Step 6: Drizzle each bowl generously with nuoc cham dressing and sprinkle 1/4 cup crushed peanuts on top. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vermicelli Noodle Bowl with Grilled Tofu and Nuoc Cham Dressing take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (30 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 Vermicelli Noodle Bowl with Grilled Tofu and 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 firm tofu from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vermicelli Noodle Bowl with Grilled Tofu and 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 Vermicelli Noodle Bowl with Grilled Tofu and 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 Vermicelli Noodle Bowl with Grilled Tofu and 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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