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    Home » Recipes » Asian

    Tofu Katsu Sando

    Last Modified: March 25, 2021 - Published by: christieathome

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Tofu Katsu Sando

    Tofu Katsu Sando. A delicious, crispy panko breaded fried tofu sandwiched between two pieces of milk bread with a sweet tonkatsu sauce. Easy to make at home and ready in just 30 minutes! 

    This Japanese tofu sandwich is great for lunch or dinner. It’s a fantastic vegetarian version of the popular pork katsu sando, which I also share a recipe for if you click here. These sandwiches can be popularly found in Japan and have become so popular, they have made their way to North America.

    It's vegetarian!

    Since, I have some readers who are vegetarian I thought I would create a meatless version of this katsu sando! Also, I’ve been making more plant-based recipes for my husband who is going back to eating more meatless foods as it works better for his body. He is really digging the tofu these days and I share many tofu recipes on the blog, that I’ll share below.

    Other tofu recipes you may enjoy!

    JAPANESE STICKY TERIYAKI TOFU
    HOISIN TOFU LETTUCE WRAPS
    CHINESE FIVE SPICE TOFU STIR-FRY
    HAKKA CHINESE STUFFED TOFU
    SILKEN TOFU WITH ONION AND GARLIC
    ASIAN BREADED TOFU NUGGETS
    SWEET AND STICKY TOFU
    TOFU KATSU

    Tofu Katsu Sando

    Easy to make!

    This Japanese tofu sandwich is very easy to make at home especially if you have store bought tonkatsu sauce at home! If you don’t, I will share a recipe below on how to make the sauce from scratch, but it does require some Asian ingredients.

    Furthermore, when it comes to making this sandwich you are simply slicing your extra firm tofu into thick 0.5-inch slices, generously seasoning with salt and garlic powder, then coating each piece with cornstarch, egg and panko bread crumbs. Then, lastly, shallow frying them in hot oil. Placing the fried tofu on bread, pouring that Tonkatsu sauce over top and sandwiching it with the remaining slice of bread! It’s that simple!

    Tips for making the best panko tofu sandwich

    • Pat dry your tofu with a clean paper towel. The dried the better as it will retain the seasoning and coating will stick better.
    • Coat that tofu very well. Don’t leave any spot left uncovered especially when you’re coating it in cornstarch and egg. This will ensure those panko bread crumbs will stick well.
    • Make sure your oil is hot enough before adding tofu but only keep it to a medium flame. To check if your oil is hot enough, place a wooden chopstick into the oil and check for bubbles.
    • Allow the tofu to fry on all sides until golden crispy brown, but don’t worry too much about the ends of the tofu.
    • Once fried, allow them to cool on a cooling rack or on a plate with paper towel to absorb excess oil. It’s the excess oil that will make them soggy later on.
    • Generously add tonkatsu sauce on top onto the tofu.
    • After making your sandwich, place a weighted plate over it to squish the bread so it’s easier to slice and cut.
    • Cut sandwich into thirds for an authentic look!
    Tofu Katsu Sando

    Check out some amazing tofu recipes by my friends!

    Tofu Sesame Toasts by It’s Not Complicated

    Easy thai coconut curry soup with tofu or chicken by Vibrantly Gluten-Free

    For this recipe

    You will need the following ingredients for my Japanese Tofu Katsu Sandwich:

    • 450 grams tofu, extra firm
    • ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
    • 4 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 1.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
    • 1.5 teaspoon Salt
    • 1 egg, whisked
    • ¼ cup avocado oil
    • Store bought Tonkatsu sauce
    • 6 slices milk bread, or egg bread works too

    Optional: shredded cabbage

    Tonkatsu sauce (adapted from Just One Cookbook):

    • 1 Tbsp ketchup
    • 2½ tsp Vegan Worcestershire sauce
    • 1½ tsp oyster sauce
    • 1⅛ tsp sugar

    How to make a Tofu Katsu Sandwich

    1. Slice your tofu into 6 equal slices at about 0.5-inches thick. Pat each piece dry with a clean paper towel. Generously season with garlic powder and salt. Add more if needed.
    2. First coat your tofu in cornstarch well making sure every spot is covered.  Then coat in the whisked egg and finally in panko breadcrumbs.
    3. In a hot pan set over medium heat, add avocado oil. Test to see if the oil is hot enough by checking for bubbles. Once it’s hot, carefully lower your coated tofu in.
    4. Fry on all sides (don't worry too much about the ends) until golden crispy brown. Transfer cooked pieces to a cooling rack or a plate with paper towel.
    5. Place 2 pieces of tofu onto a slice of bread.
    6. Drizzle a generous amount of store bought tonkatsu sauce over tofu. Optional: If you’re making homemade tonkatsu sauce, in a small bowl whisk the ingredients together and you will have your sauce! This is also where you can add some shredded cabbage on top.
    7. Place the other slice of bread on top. Place a weighted plate on top of them to flatten them. Cut off the crusts and slice sandos into thirds with a sharp knife. Repeat for other two remaining sandwiches. Enjoy!

    Give it a try!

    Well, I hope you give my Tofu Katsu Sando a try! It always excites me when you guys make my recipes and I hope this is one you try.

    Thanks for visiting my blog! If you enjoyed my tofu katsu sandwich recipe, please share it with your family and friends or on social media!

    Take a picture if you've made my recipe and tag me on Instagram @ChristieAtHome in your feed or stories so I can share your creation in my stories with credits to you!

    Made this recipe and loved it?

    If you could leave a star rating for my Tofu Katsu Sando, I would greatly appreciate it 🙂 Thanks so much!

    Take care,
    Christie

    *This post for my vegetarian Tofu Katsu Sando contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I also earn from qualifying purchases through additional affiliate programs

    tofu katsu sando

    Easy Tofu Katsu Sando (30-min. Recipe)

    christieathome
    Tofu Katsu Sando. A delicious, crispy panko breaded fried tofu sandwiched between two pieces of milk bread with a sweet tonkatsu sauce. Easy to make at home and ready in just 30 minutes!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course dinner, lunch, Snack
    Cuisine Japanese, korean
    Servings 3 sandwiches
    Calories per serving 945 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 450 grams extra firm tofu sliced into 6 pieces at 0.5 inches thick
    • ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
    • 4 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 1.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
    • 1.5 teaspoon Salt
    • 1 egg whisked
    • ¼ cup avocado oil
    • 6 tablespoon Tonkatsu Sauce
    • 6 slices milk bread or fluffy egg bread works too

    Optional: shredded cabbage

      Optional: Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce (adapted from Just One Cookbook)

      • 1 tablespoon ketchup
      • 2½ teaspoon Vegan Worcestershire sauce
      • 1½ teaspoon oyster sauce
      • 1⅛ teaspoon white granulated sugar

      Instructions
       

      • Slice your tofu into 6 equal slices at about 0.5-inches thick. Pat each piece dry with a clean paper towel. Generously season with garlic powder and salt. Add more if needed.
      • First coat your tofu in cornstarch well making sure every spot is covered. Then coat in the whisked egg and finally in panko breadcrumbs.
      • In a hot pan set over medium heat, add avocado oil. Test to see if the oil is hot enough by checking for bubbles. Once it’s hot, carefully lower your coated tofu in.
      • Fry on all sides (don't worry too much about the ends) until golden crispy brown. Transfer cooked pieces to a cooling rack or a plate with paper towel.
      • Place 2 pieces of tofu onto a slice of bread.
      • Drizzle a generous amount of store bought tonkatsu sauce over tofu. Optional: If you’re making homemade tonkatsu sauce, in a small bowl whisk the ingredients together and you will have your sauce! This is also where you can add some shredded cabbage on top.
      • Place the other slice of bread on top. Place a weighted plate on top of them to flatten them. Cut off the crusts and slice sandos into thirds with a sharp knife. Repeat for other two remaining sandwiches. Enjoy!
      Enjoyed my recipe?Please leave a 5 star review (be kind)! Tag me on social media @christieathome as I'd love to see your creations!
      Copyright PolicyPlease do not copy and paste my recipes or use my photos in your own site/blog or social media. If you use my recipe for adaptation, please provide a link back to my recipe and re-write in your own words. Thank you.

      Suggested Equipment & Products

      Santoku Knife
      Cutting Board
      Large Non-Stick Pan
      Mixing bowl
      Nutrition
      Calories: 945kcal | Carbohydrates: 147g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 1586mg | Potassium: 170mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 385mg | Iron: 11mg
      Course dinner, lunch, Snack
      Cuisine Japanese, korean
      Keyword japanese tofu sandwich, panko tofu sandwich, tofu katsu sandwich, tofu katsu sandwich recipe, tonkatsu sauce

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      Christie

      Christie is an Asian Recipe Blogger sharing delicious recipes that you can make at home! Her goal is to make Asian cooking approachable and less intimidating. With a social media following of over 500k, she has been featured on Buzz Feed Tasty, Food52, The Kitchn and more! Christie's recipes have been made over and over again by her loyal readers.

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