Vegan Char Siew (BBQ Tofu)

This vegan Char Siew (BBQ Tofu) is simply delicious and easy-to-make. Rich, sweet, and savoury sauce made from a blend of hoisin sauce, fresh ginger, garlic and spices coats pan-fried tofu for a delicious vegan dish high in protein.

Ingredients:

• a block of firm tofu, 396g
• ¼ cup corn flour
• 1½ tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp vegan oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp maple syrup/golden syrup
• ½ tbsp sesame oil
• a drop of dark soy sauce, for colour (optional)
• white pepper
• ¼ cup water

Sweet sauce mix (optional)

• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sugar or maple syrup or golden syrup

Method:

Combine all the char siew sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

Cut tofu into 3 slabs, lengthwise. Rub all sides with corn flour.

Heat a non-stick pan and add in a tablespoon of oil. Using low-medium heat, pan -fry the tofu until golden brown on all sides. Do not flip the tofu until a crust is formed.

Once the tofu is ready, add in the sauce. Coat each side with the sauce until the tofu has a nice glossy sheen. This process takes a little bit of time as you need to turn and coat each side evenly.

Remove the tofu from the pan and let them cool down completely before slicing it into slices.

Now, make the sweet sauce by mixing maple syrup and soy sauce with toasted sesame oil in a bowl. Or you can simply cook the sauce in the pan with the remaining oil in the pan. 

You can serve the vegan tofu with flavoured ginger rice. Add a spoonful of sweet sauce mix on top of the Char Siew then pair it with a side of sliced cucumber and ginger garlic chili sauce.

Enjoy!