This dish tastes just like the sesame tofu that is served in U.S. Chinese restaurants. Honey, rice vinegar and red pepper flakes make it sweet, sour and spicy; sesame oil and seeds add sesame deliciousness. And the recipe takes no more than 20 minutes to put together.
My husband is a real master in the art of tofu-making so I am lucky to often find a delicious, large brick of it in the fridge.
Sometimes I make stir-fry with it but my favorite way to prepare tofu is this sweet and sour sesame dish. It tastes just like the sesame tofu that is served in U.S. Chinese restaurants, which I always find to be one of the most delicious items on the menu.
The sour flavor in the sauce comes from rice vinegar, the spice from crushed red pepper flakes, and I sweeten the sauce with honey. (I find that honey works a lot better in savory dishes than sugar.)
Jump to:
Sauce ingredients:
Ingredient notes:
- Sesame seeds have a high oil content, which is what makes them so delicious, but that also causes them to go rancid after a few short months so be sure to store them in the refrigerator.
- If fresh ginger is not available, you can substitute 3/4 teaspoon dried ginger.
How to make it:
Step 1. Cut 1/2 pound firm tofu into bite-sized cubes and roll them in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour. The flour will give them a nice and crispy shell after they’re fried.
Step 2. Fry the tofu cubes in vegetable oil on all sides until they’re golden brown and crispy. (Depending on the size of pan you use, you may have to do this step in batches.)
Step 3. Whisk together the sauce ingredients.
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 garlic clove (minced or pressed)
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon corn starch
RECIPE TIP: Measure the sesame oil right before the honey and use the same tablespoon measure (without rinsing it) for both. Since the spoon measure will still be coated with oil, the honey will easily glide out of it and won’t stick.
Step 4. Heat the sauce in a saucepan until it thickens a bit and turns translucent.
How to serve it:
Serve the tofu with rice, drizzle the sauce over it and sprinkle chopped scallions on top for some freshness.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
This recipe is not gluten-free but you can easily modify it to make it gluten-free with two alterations:
- Instead of rolling the tofu in flour, roll it in corn starch and then fry it.
- Substitute gluten-free soy sauce because regular soy sauce contains wheat.
More Asian-inspired recipes:
Made this recipe? It would be awesome if you could leave a rating. Either tap or click the stars in the recipe card or leave a comment below. Thanks!
Recipe Card
Sesame Tofu
Ingredients:
For the tofu:
- ½ pound firm tofu
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ~3 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying
For the sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger*
- 1 large garlic clove, minced or pressed
- ½ tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, more if you like it spicier**
- 1 teaspoon corn starch
- 4 scallions, chopped
Instructions:
- Cut the tofu into ¾-inch cubes.
- Roll the tofu cubes in the flour, making sure to coat them on all sides.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet until shimmering.
- Fry the tofu in the hot oil until golden brown on all sides. Set aside on a paper towel to dry.
- Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame seeds, sesame oil, honey, red pepper flakes and corn starch to a liquid measuring cup and stir well until fully combined.
- Pour the sauce ingredients into a saucepan and bring to a full boil. Keep boiling the sauce until it becomes translucent and thickens. Take off the heat.
- Serve the tofu with rice, drizzle with the sauce and sprinkle chopped scallions on top.
Unknown
This is looking very delicious. I’m going to make it by myself. Thank you very much for sharing this delicious recipe with us
Nicole Branan
Thanks so much! :)
Kelly | Foodtasia
Nicole, I can’t believe how easy this dish is to put together. That sauce is everything!
Easyfoodsmith
Looks so good and I am sure it tastes fab too. Will try this recipe with chicken sometime soon.
Nicole Branan
Thank you, Taruna! That’s an interesting idea, I’ve never tried it with chicken!
Naveen Sohail
This look so scrumptious! can’t wait to make some for my self.
Nicole Branan
Thank you, Naveen, I hope you like it, it’s one of my favorite recipes of all time. :)
Kelly | Foodtasia
Nicole, this looks and sounds amazing! That sweet and sour sauce is everything!
Nicole Branan
Thank you, Kelly! The sauce really is good, I have made it literally hundreds of times over the years and I still love it every time. :)
Andrea
Was AuuMazing!!! Will make more sauce next time but everything was on point ??
Nicole B.
I’m so happy to hear that, thank you so much for coming back and leaving such great feedback, Andrea!! :)
Natalie Tamara
This sauce looks amazing! Rolling the tofu in flour is a good tip too :)
Ginnie
This looks delicious! I’m always searching for good tofu recipes, so I can’t wait to try this:)
Maggie
Love the idea to have sweet sour sauce with tofu! Looks so yummy and healthy. I’m so envious that you could get freshly made tofu at home! :)
I like the clean design of your blog and your food pictures are beautiful.