Have you been seeing all these viral tofu salad recipes on TikTok and Instagram? If you’re looking for a quick tofu recipe, why not give this Japanese Hawaiian cold tofu salad a try? This easy tofu recipe takes only a few ingredients, and it doesn’t use any chili oil, so it’s PERFECT for those who can’t handle spice.
Japanese Hawaiian Tofu Salad
Is this quick tofu side dish Japanese? Hawaiian? Just a generically Asian tofu salad? To be honest, I don’t really know. My family got this recipe from a family friend who is Japanese American and grew up in Hawaii, so I always associated it with Japanese Hawaiian food. It’s light, refreshing, and somehow a little sweet, even though there’s no added sugar. Maybe I SHOULD add some sugar. I bet that would taste great.
In any case, if you’d like to enjoy a super quick tofu recipe that’s vaguely Asian in flavoring, this is for you!
How to Make Quick Tofu Salad
All you have to do is layer tofu with shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, canned salmon, and dress with sesame oil and soy sauce. Sprinkle green onions and sesame seeds, and you’re done! I ran out of green onions the day I took photos (I know.. bad Asian), so you won’t see them here. But you should definitely add them. Do as I say, not as I do.
This recipe is perfect to bring to potlucks because it can feed a lot of people, and it’s SO easy to make.
Making Vegan Tofu Salad
If you’re vegan, it’s really easy to turn this tofu salad animal-free. Simply omit the canned fish. I feel like I probably didn’t need to dedicate a whole section of this blog post just to say that. But… someone ALWAYS asks. I’m not joking. Every recipe video I post, someone will inevitably ask, “Can I make it without the (fill in meat here)? I’m vegan.” To which I answer, politely, “yes.” But really in my head I’m thinking, “Why are you asking for permission? Am I in your kitchen forcing you to add canned fish to your food by gunpoint? Just omit the dang fish and move on.”
Sorry. That got off topic. Anywayyyyyyy
Asian Tofu Salad Variations
Speaking of substitutions, you can really alter this recipe to your liking. Don’t like salmon? Use tuna. Or imitation crab. Or just omit the fish completely.
Don’t have lettuce? Try subbing pea sprouts or shredded cabbage.
Want something sweeter? Add a little sugar to your dressing. Want something tangier? Add lime or lemon juice, or a splash of rice vinegar.
You can even eat this salad with JUST tofu and dressing. It’s really that flexible.
More Easy Asian Recipes
Anyway, I hope that this recipe inspires you to make your own version of Asian tofu salad. Looking for more Asian vegan recipes? Give these a try:
Quick Tofu Salad (Viral Asian Tofu Recipe)
Ingredients
- 2 blocks tofu
- 1 cup lettuce shredded
- 1 tomato chopped
- 1 can boneless salmon flaked
- 1 green onion chopped
- 1/4 cup sesame oil
- 1/4 cup Japanese soy sauce
- toasted white sesame seeds for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a casserole or 8×8" dish, place tofu.
- Layer lettuce, tomato, and flaked salmon on top.
- Pour sesame oil and soy sauce over the ingredients.
- Sprinkle green onion and sesame seeds on top to taste.
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