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    Home » Side dishes

    Fried Tofu With Special Thai Sauce

    Published: May 29, 2016 · Modified: Feb 26, 2023 by Kushi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Fried Tofu With Special Thai Sauce is a spicy and delicious, flavorful dish that can be served with steamed rice for lunch or dinner. The recipe is vegan and gluten-free. Also, this dish is ready in 30 minutes, and each serving comes to around 350 calories.

    Crispy Fried Tofu Tossed in Spicy Thai Red Sauce and served in white ceramic plate along with cooked Rice.

    Jump to:
    • About Crispy Fried Tofu in Special Thai Sauce
    • Ingredients
    • Step by Step Recipe
    • Expert Chef Tips
    • FAQs
    • More Thai Recipes To Love
    • Recipe card
    • User Reviews

    About Crispy Fried Tofu in Special Thai Sauce

    I first had this dish at my favorite Thai restaurant in Indianapolis. Whenever we visit Indianapolis, my family loves having lunch or dinner at this place. This dish is also known as Toa Hoo Sarm Ross (Tofu).

    I love experimenting with Tofu, and this was one dish that I wanted to try at home. Crispy fried tofu is usually served with peanut dipping sauce, but when tossed with special Thai sauce, it turns absolutely irresistible and will simply melt in your mouth. You can substitute tofu with paneer or Indian cottage cheese.

    You can also dip the tofu in a starch slurry and coat it in panko bread crumbs, and then deep fry to get crispy tofu katsu or tofu tempura. Serve it with a side of special Thai sauce shared below or with any dipping sauce you choose, and you will have a special appetizer for your meal.

    You may also like these Tofu recipes:

    • Hariyali paneer masala | paneer curry for rice, naan, roti, chapati, paratha. Green curry with tofu.
      Hariyali Paneer Masala | Green Curry with Tofu
    • Delicious Honey Sriracha Tofu served in a white bowl.
      Best Honey Sriracha Tofu (Crispy and Delicious)
    • Best Tofu Scramble Recipe | Vegan Tofu Bhurji for Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
      Best Tofu Scramble | Vegan Tofu Bhurji Recipe
    • Crispy fried tofu with sweet and spicy Thai peanut sauce on a white plate.
      Crispy Fried Tofu with Thai Peanut Sauce

    Ingredients

    • Extra firm tofu - has low moisture content and will not fall apart when deep fried. You can also use Firm Tofu or Paneer. Before frying, pat dry the tofu with kitchen towels to avoid major oil splatters. Optionally, you can coat the tofu pieces in cornstarch or potato starch before deep frying - however, I do not follow this step.
    • Oil - use any neutral-flavored oil for deep frying.
    • Cilantro - for garnish. Replace cilantro with any herb, such as Thai Basil, parsley,

    For the paste

    • Vegetable oil to saute ingredients.
    • Cumin seeds, Onion, Garlic cloves, Ginger, and Lemongrass, are the aromatics that add flavor to the sauce.
    • Coconut milk and Green chilies will add richness and spiciness to the sauce. Coconut milk can be substituted with cream and green chilies with serrano, jalapenos, etc.

    Other ingredients

    • Red chili powder to add color and spiciness. For a bright red color, use Kashmiri red chili powder or paprika.
    • Thai Basil leaves for aroma and freshness. Substitute it with regular Italian Basil leaves or dried basil leaves.
    • Soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce add tanginess and sweetness to the sauce. I have used vegan-certified Worcestershire sauce. You can substitute this with Oyster sauce. Add some fish sauce for authentic Thai flavor.
    • Tomato ketchup and Salt - balance the flavors well.
    • Sriracha chile sauce is optional, but I like adding some for extra spiciness and flavor.
    Fried Tofu Tossed in Special Thai Sauce and served in white ceramic plate along with cooked Jasmine Rice.

    Step by Step Recipe

    Prepare the sauce

    Step 1: In a pan on medium heat, add oil, aromatics, and saute until they turn light brown in color.

    Step 2: Blend sauteed ingredients from Step 1 along with coconut milk, coriander leaves, and green chilies to form a smooth paste.

    Step 3: To a pan on medium heat, add the paste from Step 2, red chilie powder, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, Thai basil leaves, a splash of water, and salt to taste, and bring it to a nice boil. The sauce is now ready.

    For frying the tofu

    Step 4: Once the oil is hot, fry the tofu cubes in batches until it gets a golden brown color on both sides. Frying each batch takes about 3-4 minutes. Drain to paper towels to absorb excess oil. Check out detailed instructions for getting the crispiest fried tofu here!

    Step 5: While the tofu is warm, add it to the prepared sauce and toss well till they are coated. Garnish it with cilantro and serve immediately with steamed rice or your favorite side.

    Extra Crispy Tofu Tossed in Special Thai Sauce and served in white ceramic plate along with cooked Jasmine Rice.

    Expert Chef Tips

    1. You can remove excess moisture from the tofu by using a tofu press for 10 minutes.
    2. Fish sauce is traditionally used in the recipe. I have substituted it with vegan-certified Worcestershire sauce instead. You can also use Oyster sauce.
    3. Adjust the sweetness, tanginess, and spiciness of the sauce as per your taste.
    4. Mix the fried tofu with the sauce just before you are ready to serve. Else the fried tofu will lose its crispiness.
    5. You can also use Italian basil or dried basil leaves in the recipe.
    6. While frying tofu, do not overcrowd the pan.
    7. If the oil is cold, tofu will absorb excess oil while frying. If it is very hot, then the tofu will turn brown soon without getting crispy. It is best practice to fry by switching the flame between medium and medium-high.
    8. To check if the oil is hot, put a small piece of tofu in the oil. If it sizzles, it means the oil is ready for frying.
    9. You can also coat the tofu with cornstarch or potato starch before frying for extra crispy tofu (optional).

    Storage and Make Ahead Instructions

    Once tossed in the sauce, fried tofu starts to lose its crispiness in 10 to 15 minutes. Therefore, if you have leftovers, they will not retain a crispy texture but will still taste great. The dish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

    My preferred approach is to make the sauce ahead of time and store it separately. It stores well in the refrigerator for up to a week. The sauce can be reheated on the stovetop or in a microwave when ready to use. Since frying tofu hardly takes 5 mins, I fry a batch of tofu and toss it in the reheated sauce just before serving. This is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

    If you want to fry Tofu for this dish beforehand (e.g., 30 minutes head start):

    • Coat the tofu pieces in cornstarch before frying. This will help retain its crispiness for a much longer time.
    • Keep it in a warm 150 degrees F oven until ready to serve.
    • Store leftover fried tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it in the oven or skillet to regain some crispiness.

    FAQs

    Can I bake, pan-fry or air-fry the tofu?

    Yes. However, the cooked tofu's crispiness, texture, and color may vary.

    Can I use firm tofu for frying?

    Yes. Press the firm tofu (by placing a pot of water or uncooked rice/beans over it) for at least 15-30 minutes to remove excess moisture. Removing excess moisture helps make the fried tofu crispy and helps it to absorb the flavors of the sauce better. A Tofu press available online can also be used for this purpose.

    Can I use any tofu for frying?

    Firm or extra-firm tofu works best for frying as it does not fall apart (it holds its shape better) upon frying.

    More Thai Recipes To Love

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    • best and easy thai basil tofu stir fry recipe
      Spicy Basil Tofu | Tofu Stir Fry
    • Easy Thai Mango sticky rice dessert on a black plate topped with salted coconut sauce and mung beans.
      Best Mango Sticky Rice - Popular Thai Dessert

    Did you like this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

    Recipe card

    Quick and delicious fried tofu coated in a special Thai sauce and served with rice in a white ceramic plate.

    Best Fried Tofu with Special Thai Sauce

    Kushi
    Fried Tofu With Special Thai Sauce is a spicy and delicious, flavorful dish that can be served with steamed rice for lunch or dinner. The recipe is vegan and gluten-free. The dish is ready in 30 minutes, and each serving comes under 350 calories.
    5 from 17 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine Thai
    Servings 3 to 4 people
    Calories 356 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Tofu Press optional

    Ingredients
      

    For the Paste

    • 1 teaspoon Oil
    • ½ teaspoon Cumin seeds
    • 1 medium Onion finely chopped
    • 6 cloves Garlic finely chopped
    • 1 inch Ginger grated
    • 2 inch Lemon grass finely chopped
    • 2 tablespoon Coconut milk
    • 2 piece Green chilies add more for a spicy dish.

    Other ingredients

    • 1 teaspoon Red chilie powder
    • 6 leaves Thai Basil
    • 1 teaspoon Soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (see notes)
    • 1 tablespoon Ketchup for balancing the flavors
    • ½ teaspoon Salt adjust to taste
    • 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce optional, for additional spice

    Main Ingredients

    • 14 oz Tofu Extra Firm, cut into triangles or large cubes
    • 400 ml Oil for frying, ¼ cup oil is used
    • 1 tablespoon Cilantro or Coriander leaves

    Instructions
     

    Prepare the sauce

    • In a pan on medium heat, add oil, cumin seeds, chopped onions, garlic, lemongrass, and grated ginger, and saute until they turn light brown in color.
      1 teaspoon Oil, ½ teaspoon Cumin seeds, 1 medium Onion, 6 cloves Garlic, 1 inch Ginger, 2 inch Lemon grass
    • Blend together sauteed ingredients (from the above step), coconut milk, and green chilies into a smooth paste.
      2 tablespoon Coconut milk, 2 piece Green chilies
    • To a pan on medium heat, add the paste prepared above, cayenne powder, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, Thai basil leaves, water, Sriracha sauce (optional), and salt to taste, and bring it to a nice boil. The sauce is now ready.
      1 teaspoon Red chilie powder, 6 leaves Thai Basil, 1 teaspoon Soy sauce, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon Ketchup, ½ teaspoon Salt, 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce

    For Frying Tofu

    • Add oil for frying to a pan on medium to medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, fry the tofu cubes in batches until it gets a golden brown color on both sides. Frying each batch takes about 3-4 minutes. Drain to paper towels to absorb excess oil. Check out detailed instructions for getting the crispiest fried tofu here!
      14 oz Tofu, 400 ml Oil
    • While the tofu is warm, add it to the prepared sauce and toss well till they are coated. Garnish it with coriander leaves or cilantro and serve immediately with steamed rice or your favorite side.
      1 tablespoon Cilantro

    Notes

    Expert Chef Tips

    • You can remove excess moisture from the tofu by using a tofu press for 10 minutes.
    • Fish sauce is traditionally used in the recipe. I have substituted it with vegan-certified Worcestershire sauce instead. You can also use Oyster sauce.
    • Adjust the sweetness, tanginess, and spiciness of the sauce as per your taste.
    • Mix the fried tofu with the sauce just before you are ready to serve. Else the fried tofu will lose its crispiness.
    • You can also use Italian basil or dried basil leaves in the recipe.
    • While frying tofu, do not overcrowd the pan.
    • If the oil is cold, tofu will absorb excess oil while frying. If it is very hot, then the tofu will turn brown soon without getting crispy. It is best practice to fry by switching the flame between medium and medium-high.
    • To check if the oil is hot, put a small piece of tofu in the oil. If it sizzles, it means the oil is ready for frying.
    • You can also coat the tofu with cornstarch or potato starch before frying for extra crispy tofu (optional).

    Storage and Make Ahead Instructions

    • Once tossed in the sauce, fried tofu starts to lose its crispiness in 10 to 15 minutes. Therefore, if you have leftovers, they will not retain a crispy texture but will still taste great. The dish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
    • You can make the sauce ahead of time and store it separately. It stores well in the refrigerator for up to a week. The sauce can be reheated on the stovetop or in a microwave when ready to use. Since frying tofu hardly takes 5 mins, I fry a batch of tofu and toss it in the reheated sauce just before serving. This is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
    • If you want to fry Tofu for this dish beforehand (e.g., 30 minutes head start), coat the tofu pieces in cornstarch before frying. This will help retain its crispiness for a much longer time. Keep it in a warm 150 degrees F oven until ready to serve. You can store leftover fried tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it in the oven or skillet to regain some crispiness.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 356kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 13gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.1gSodium: 727mgPotassium: 192mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 295IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Note: This post was originally posted in May 2016. The recipe has been slightly modified since and has been updated here.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Balvinder

      May 31, 2016 at 10:04 am

      5 stars
      This sounds amazing. I am definitely going to try it. I am always looking for new ways to prepare tofu.

      Reply
      • Kushi

        May 31, 2016 at 12:01 pm

        Thank you Balvinder 🙂

        Reply
    2. Veena Theagarajan

      May 31, 2016 at 11:25 am

      5 stars
      must try Tofu recipe.. bookmarked

      Reply
      • Kushi

        May 31, 2016 at 12:02 pm

        Thank you Veena 🙂

        Reply
    3. Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie

      May 31, 2016 at 9:14 pm

      5 stars
      Love the sound of this fried tofu, Kushi! I just love vegetarian dishes like these and this one just looks so flavorful! Will have to try it soon!

      Reply
      • Kushi

        June 01, 2016 at 9:26 pm

        Thank you Joscelyn 🙂

        Reply
    4. Smitha Haridasan

      June 08, 2016 at 1:43 pm

      5 stars
      Mouth watering . Tofu in this form is incredible. Great share

      Reply
      • Kushi

        June 15, 2016 at 7:21 pm

        Thank you Smitha 🙂

        Reply
    5. Soma Saharay

      June 23, 2016 at 10:00 am

      5 stars
      Yummilicious....

      Reply
      • Kushi

        June 27, 2016 at 2:03 pm

        Thank you Soma 🙂

        Reply
    « Older Comments
    5 from 17 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Sridevi! I am a Software Engineer by qualification, a full-time Food Blogger by passion, a self-published Author, and a happy person two kids (monsters) ago.

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