Udon Noodles with Crispy Tofu
I often opt for Asian recipes when I’m in a hurry, which contain maximum flavour but don’t take forever to cook. These udon noodles with crispy tofu are the perfect example. Add a sweet and spicy sauce that’s super easy to make, basil, green onions and sesame seeds, and you’re done!
- Servings: 4
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 10 minutes
Gochujang is a spicy, salty, and umami-rich fermented chili paste of Korean origin. This thick, sticky paste is spicy, salty, and full of umami flavor. It can now be easily found in the Asian aisle of most chains and, of course, in Asian grocery stores.
I always keep Kadoya brand toasted sesame oil in my pantry. When choosing sesame oil at the grocery store, it’s important to choose toasted sesame oil; otherwise, you won’t get the strong, interesting, and essential sesame flavor.
Chili crisp, also known as crunchy chili oil, is a Chinese condiment that has recently become very popular, although it has been around for a long time. It’s essentially a chili-infused oil with crunchy bits of garlic, shallot, sesame, and sometimes other spices. It’s slightly spicy, salty, and umami-flavored.
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) hoisin sauce
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) gochujang
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) tahini
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
Noodles
- 1 block 354 g firm tofu, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil
- 600 g udon noodles
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) minced fresh basil
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
Toppings
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) chili oil (optional)
Sauce
- In a small saucepan, heat the sesame oil over medium-high heat and cook the garlic cloves for 2 minutes, stirring often. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and reduce for about 3 minutes.
Noodles
- In a bowl, combine the tofu, cornstarch and salt.
- In a nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat and cook tofu for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring often, or until golden brown.
- Cook noodles in boiling salted water according to package instructions. Drain pasta.
- Add sauce, noodles, basil and green onions and toss gently until noodles are well coated with sauce. Serve with garnishes.