Quick & Easy Tofu Vegetable Chow Mein

Name: Quick & Easy Tofu Vegetable Chow Mein
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 lb Chow Mein Noodles (fresh kind); 7.40 oz smoked tofu (diced into 1/2-inch cubes); 5.29 oz snow pea leaves (washed throughly and strained); 2 cups green cabbage (thinly sliced); 2 stalks celery (chopped ); 1 small carrot (julienned); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 3 tbsp vegetable oil (or any neutral oil); 1/2 tsp sesame seeds (garnish); 2 tbsp regular soy sauce; 1 tbsp dark soy sauce; 1 tbsp sesame oil; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Chewy egg noodles stir fried with colorful vegetables and tofu in a light savory sauce. This quick and easy tofu vegetable chow mein is a delicious main or meal in 30 minutes! Made with simple ingredients and great for the family!

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Ingredients & Substitutes
Expert Tips
Instructions
Pairing Suggestions
Storage
FAQ
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Tofu Vegetable Chow Mein is a Chinese noodle stir fry dish featuring chow mein noodles stir-fried with tofu, carrots, cabbage, snow pea leaves, and celery in a light savory sauce and aromatics!

Chow Mein is a popular Chinese food served at many Chinese restaurants and there are so many variations of it in China! However, there aren't many that feature tofu as the main source of protein.

So I developed my own recipe for a plant based version of chow mein! After some recipe testing, I created a version for those looking to add more vegetables to their diets.

The best part about this chow mein recipe is that it's very versatile. You can easily swap the vegetables for ones you enjoy and I share a list of substitutes below.

Ingredients & Substitutes

Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements.

Chow Mein Noodles: these are thin and yellow egg noodles labelled as "pre-steamed Chinese-style egg noodles" and sold in the refrigerated section at the Asian market. Or substitute with yaki soba and prepare according to package instructions.
Smoked Tofu Block: this is tofu that has been smoked for additional flavor. You can find it at select grocery stores. Or substitute with extra-firm tofu and evenly season it with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Snow Pea Leaves: these are tender green leaves that grow around snow peas. It's best to remove the tendrils that grow around the leaf for best taste. Most Asian grocery stores sell this green in the produce section.
Carrots: or substitute with bell peppers.
Celery: or substitute with thinly sliced zucchini or bean sprouts.
Green Cabbage: avoid using napa cabbage because it'll release too much water into the pan. Or substitute with red cabbage, gai-lan, yu choy sum or bok choy.
Garlic cloves
Neutral oil: like avocado oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil with a high smoke point. Avoid olive oil that has a low smoke point.
Sesame seeds: garnish. If you're allergic to sesame, omit completely.

Noodle Sauce

Regular soy sauce: or substitute with low sodium soy sauce or light soy sauce. If you’re gluten-free, substitute with tamari sauce, coconut aminos or a gluten-free soy sauce.
Dark soy sauce: this is thicker and darker than regular soy sauce.
Salt
Black pepper
Sesame oil: for that nutty flavor. If you're allergic to sesame, omit completely.

Expert Tips

Throughly wash the snow pea leaves at least 4x or until the water runs clear. This type of vegetable is known to contain hidden dirt and insects between the leaves.
Do not over soak the chow mein noodles or they will be soggy. Only soak them for 30 seconds or until loosened and strain immediately.
Prepare the ingredients in advance because the cooking process is fast!
Don't skimp on the oil! The amount recommended ensures the chow mein is fried properly and also ensures the ingredients won't stick to the pan.
If you have a steel wok, use it! This gives the noodles a smoky flavor or "wok hei" in Chinese.
Don't overcook the ingredients in the initial cooking process since they will be stir-fried with the noodles later on.

Instructions

Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make Tofu Vegetable Chow Mein:

In a large bowl, soak chow mein noodles in hot boiling water for 30 seconds only until loosened. Strain in a colander and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine noodle sauce ingredients and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan on medium high heat. Fry diced tofu on all sides until evenly browned. Remove and set aside.
Add another 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil into the pan and sauté garlic, carrots, celery, cabbage and snow pea leaves until softened. Remove and set aside.
Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil into the pan and toss in the noodles with noodle sauce until noodles are evenly coated.
Then toss back in the vegetables and tofu with noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds. Enjoy hot!

Pairing Suggestions

Tofu vegetable chow mein serves well with:

starters like egg rolls, crab rangoons, egg drop soup, hot and sour soup
fried rice
other Asian noodle dishes like Panda Express Chow Mein, Easy Chicken Chow Mein, Crispy Chow Mein Noodles, Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein or Singapore Curry Vermicelli
cooked vegetables like bok choy, spicy garlic bok choy, choy sum, gai lan, garlic green beans or stir fried snow pea leaves.
protein dishes like Orange Chicken, Lemon Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Bang Bang Shrimp, Soy Garlic Tofu, Chinese Braised Tofu and more!

Storage

Leftovers will last up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat: microwave for 2-3 minutes until hot or reheat in a pan on medium heat.
Freezer friendly? I don't recommend freezing tofu vegetable chow mein because the noodles, vegetables and tofu will become mushy.

FAQ

Can I make tofu vegetable chow mein in advance?

Tofu vegetable chow mein can be made up to 4 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, microwave or in a pan on the stovetop on medium heat.

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