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    Home » All Recipes

    Author: Donna | Published: Dec 18, 2018 | Modified: Oct 8, 2019

    Crunchy Noodle Salad with Crispy Tofu and Cabbage

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    crunchy noodle salad

    The Crunchy Noodle Salad with Crispy Tofu and Cabbage really has all of the components you need to create a balanced meal. The crispy tofu is full of protein and packs a punch of great flavor. The noodles add a nice crunch and the cabbage gives the whole salad such a great texture. Easily prepared as a take-along lunch for work as well.

    Up close shot of Crispy Tofu Fried Noodle Salad in a white bowl

    Crunchy Noodle Salad with Crispy Tofu and Cabbage

    Hi everyone! I am delighted to be doing a guest post for my friend Donna from Whole Food Bellies today. We Aussies tend to support each other like that! 

    Today, I have a salad recipe, which I know you will love. Crunchy Noodle Salad with Crispy Tofu and Cabbage is inspired by Chang’s Crunchy Noodles and a salad that we always used to have for BBQs that uses those noodles as a key product.

    I have been eating at a cool little Vietnamese takeaway place In Inala, Brisbane Queensland recently. Their food is amazing and reminds me with a little brainstorming it is possible to have dishes with less meat or which are meatless on more occasions.

    For you today, I have made this as a vegetarian tofu fried noodle salad recipe. If you wanted it to be vegan, you would change one ingredient and that is substituting agave syrup for a sweetener in place of the honey.

    Cabbage and spring onions for Crispy Tofu Crunchy Noodle Salad

    Crunchy Noodle Salad Makes a Perfectly Balanced Meal

    The salad really has all of the components you need to create a balanced meal.

    The tofu is full of protein and is nicely flavored. I highly recommend you get the firm tofu for the recipe as the silken tofu does not keep its texture when being cooked no matter how hard you try.

    Tofu used for Fried Noodle Salad

    Flavoring The Tofu To Make The Perfect Fried Noodle Salad

    Using the chili flakes as well as salt and pepper brings the tofu into a flavor field of its own and then the textures for the rest of the ingredients create a nice diversity. 

    Want to change things up with the flavor of the tofu? Try using one of these Tofu Marinades.

    Wombok (napa cabbage) is not an ingredient I commonly use and I think that is why when you do make this salad and enjoy the delight of eating it, you enjoy something quite different from your typical garden salad.

    Pouring the dressing into Crispy Tofu Crunchy Noodle Salad

    Need More Salad Recipes?

    I LOVE making salads, especially ones that you can meal prep and take for work lunches. Two of my favorites on Sweet Caramel Sunday are:

    •         Edamame Quinoa Salad 
    •         Shredded Brussel Sprout Quinoa Salad

    Another option for this salad is to switch out the tofu and use meatballs instead, but then it wouldn’t be a dish inspired by the vegan restaurant (it is seriously amazing food!).

    All of the ingredients for Crispy Tofu Crunchy Noodle Salad in a white bowl

    About This Crunchy Noodle Salad with Crispy Tofu and Cabbage:

    • You can meal prep this salad for lunches – just don’t dress it till you are ready to eat to avoid soggy salad
    • This is a PERFECT BBQ salad
    • The almonds can be toasted in the microwave OR in a pan on the stove
    • The dressing has a thin texture to it and if you leave it sit, you need to stir it before pouring

    To answer your questions:

    1. The salad is best served with HOT tofu 
    2. The dish is not suitable for freezing
    3. The recipe contains no egg or dairy
    4. This is a SUPER EASY dish to pull together
    fried noodle salad

    More Tips For Making The Crunchy Noodle Salad Perfect

    I find that to prepare the salad, it is best to toast your nuts, then prep your veggies so all of that is done. After all of that, I mix my dressing and have it ready to go. I cook my tofu as the last step in the ‘cooking’ phase, then having added all ingredients to your salad bowl, you dress and toss your salad.

    All that will be left to do is grab a cold drink for everyone, sit back, relax and enjoy the good company whilst you can.

    I would like to thank Donna for the opportunity of sharing this recipe with you, her readers and I hope that you give it a go.

    It has been great to be a part of Whole Food Bellies blog and I wish you much happiness and joy in your kitchens!

    Cheers from Sunny Queensland.

    Adrianne

    Recipe

    Up close shot of Crunchy Noodle Salad with Crispy Tofu and Cabbage

    Crunchy Noodle Salad with Crispy Tofu and Cabbage

    The Crunchy Noodle Salad with Crispy Tofu and Cabbage really has all of the components you need to create a balanced meal. The crispy tofu is full of protein and packs a punch of great flavor. The noodles add a nice crunch and the cabbage gives the whole salad such a great texture. Easily prepared as a take-along lunch for work as well.
    4.82 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine Anytime
    Servings 6 serves
    Calories 231 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 450 g tofu organic, firm
    • ½ Wombok/napa cabbage
    • 1 bunch spring onions
    • 1 cup shaved almonds
    • 100 g crunchy noodles
    • 1 tablespoon chilli flakes
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon pepper
    • 1 teaspoon peanut oil

    Dressing

    • ⅓ cup white vinegar
    • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon peanut oil
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Remove any old leaves from wombok, cut stem off base, slice finely and add to a salad bowl
    • Remove outside layer of shallot, trim roots, then chop into small pieces
    • Toast almond flakes in a pan on the stove until they turn a light golden brown
    • Make dressing by combining all ingredients in a small glass jar, stir thoroughly to combine
    • Cut tofu in half, then into small cubes
    • Add oil to fry pan, add tofu, season with chilli flakes, salt and pepper. Bring to a medium heat and cook until edges are a light golden brown and crispy
    • Add tofu to salad bowl
    • Dress and toss to combine

    Notes

    This recipe can have a few options for the sweetner in the dressing. Agave syrup if you are vegan or honey if you are vegetarian If meal prepping the salad, keep the tofu separate so you can heat it and add to the salad. It tastes better hot.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 231kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 12gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 1gPotassium: 344mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 655IUVitamin C: 20.8mgCalcium: 203mgIron: 2.2mg
    Keyword crunchy noodle salad
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment HERE and let us know how it was!

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Don’t forget to follow Whole Food Bellies on Pinterest for more recipe inspiration! Or if Pinterest isn’t your style, bookmark this post! Let’s keep the conversation going- join my Facebook group! 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Loreto Nardelli says

      January 13, 2019 at 9:46 pm

      The thing that really draws me I to this salad is all the texture and flavors. I am a big fan of tofu and when you saute it with spices it forms such a flavor crust that is so so delicious. I too as I mature more eat less meat, finding great recipes like this is always a treat!
      Great post and recipe!

      Reply
    2. Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says

      January 13, 2019 at 8:08 pm

      I've really been on a tofu cook lately, at least now that I've figured out to to make it nice and crispy. This would be perfect for lunch at the office!

      Reply
    3. Tammy says

      January 13, 2019 at 2:58 pm

      This salad is everything! I've never tried ramen in salads yet though I see it a lot on the web. Yours looks amazing though and now I'm tempted to try! 😀

      Reply
    4. Elizabeth says

      January 13, 2019 at 10:59 am

      Tofu has been a new discovery for me in the last year, and making it crispy, just like you've done, is essential in my book! I love quick and easy recipes like this one, they're ideal as weeknight dinners!

      Reply
    5. Farwin says

      January 13, 2019 at 10:10 am

      I love the crunch factor in salads. That dressing is looks good and can"t wait to make some for me!

      Reply
    6. Ruchi says

      January 13, 2019 at 1:11 am

      I love the dressing you used here, the combination of flavors is fantastic! Didn't really try crunchy noodles in a salad before, looks great

      Reply
    7. Marisa Franca says

      January 12, 2019 at 8:04 am

      This salad has my name written all over it!! I love noodle salads and I love having some crunch in them. This would be perfect as a lunch or ideal as a light dinner. I'm pinning this recipe -- I can't wait to make it when the weather turns warmer.

      Reply
    8. Dominique | Perchance to Cook says

      January 11, 2019 at 11:33 am

      This is my kind of salad! I've been super into noodle salads lately and this one looks SOOOO good. I love the addition of tofu; it looks perfectly cooked!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        January 12, 2019 at 1:03 am

        Noodle salads are so good aren't they, just perfect packed for lunch the next day!

        Reply
    9. Aleta says

      January 10, 2019 at 9:02 pm

      This looks absolutely incredible! I love anything crunchy and heathy so this salad is a match made in heaven for me. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        January 12, 2019 at 1:05 am

        Crunchy and healthy make the perfect combo!

        Reply
    10. anne says

      January 10, 2019 at 2:39 pm

      This salad looks so good and I love that crispy tofu

      Reply
      • Donna says

        January 12, 2019 at 1:07 am

        Tofu can be amazing when it's cooked properly and gets that great crispiness!

        Reply
    11. anne says

      January 10, 2019 at 2:37 pm

      This salad looks delicious and I love that crispy tofu!

      Reply
    12. Veena says

      January 10, 2019 at 12:32 pm

      I love adding a little crunch to my salad too. Actually crunch and nuts are my two favorites. Love that you added tofu too. This is what I would love for my weekday dinner. Light and refreshing yet wholesome and nutritious.

      Reply
      • Donna says

        January 12, 2019 at 1:08 am

        Sounds like a perfect way to sum up a weekday dinner to me!!

        Reply
    13. Leslie says

      January 10, 2019 at 9:17 am

      I love a little extra crunch in my salads - this would great to help me mix things up for my weekly lunches!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        January 12, 2019 at 1:08 am

        Right!?! It packs so well as leftovers

        Reply
    14. Adrianne says

      December 22, 2018 at 10:23 am

      Thanks Donna, I am happy to see the recipe on your site. You have some many amazing recipes on here, I will have to check them all out. Cheers Adrianne

      Reply

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    Hello and welcome, I'm Donna!

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