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
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!
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
- 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!
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.
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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
Easy Tofu Katsu Sando (30-min. Recipe)
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!
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