Crispy Vietnamese Fried Tofu & Spicy Tomato Sauce

Vietnamese fried tofu is a gloriously simple and tasty dish that combines a hot, salty, sweet and sour tomato sauce with crispy tofu.

I have also added air fryer cooking instructions for those who want to avoid frying, and it tastes amazing!

Vietnamese Crispy Tofu

This recipe sees two rarities combined here on my site... The first is a recipe that uses tofu!

I have been fairly rude about tofu in the past; it was an ingredient I found difficult, mainly because it has little flavour. Which, as it transpires, is a great strength, it means it can be seamlessly integrated into a dish with any flavour profile!

But I have found an admiration for it, and this Vietnamese fried tofu recipe is part of my falling in love with this curious ingredient.

It has only started to appear here fairly recently, and I am a definite convert! My Chinese hot and sour soup uses it in a very different way. But my sweet and sour tofu, salt and pepper tofu and teriyaki tofu recipes embrace the fried or seared tofu idea.

The second rarity is my cooking from a cookbook. This recipe comes from a book called The Food of Vietnam by Luke Nguyen. 

A book that so enamoured me, it has me working away on my own Vietnamese variations. My Vietnamese chicken curry and caramel chicken recipe are very much a follow-on from this recipe, and I also have a chicken banh mi sandwich.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sort of tofu should I use?

Tofu can be a difficult ingredient to buy if you are uninitiated. This recipe does not aim to initiate you, but allows you to make this recipe.

So go to the store and buy extra-firm tofu. No flavours, not smoked, not marinated! Just plain old tofu, it will likely be in the refrigerator section.

Should I press the tofu?

Many recipes call for you to press tofu, but it was not mentioned in the recipe I used as a source for this. Being the curious soul that I am, I did test pressing, and it made no discernible difference. It is, however, important to dry the tofu well!

Can I use fish sauce rather than soy sauce?

The source for this recipe recommends using fish sauce rather than soy sauce. I wanted to keep this recipe vegan and vegetarian, so I opted for soy sauce, and it works wonderfully.

However, the fish sauce variant is exceptionally good, and if meat-free is less important to you, then you absolutely should give it a try.

Is it better cooked in the fryer or air fryer?

Now that's a million-dollar question. The tofu is a little "lighter" when cooked in an air fryer. However, frying gives this dish a lovely flavour that is missing in an air fryer.

Serving Suggestions

I typically serve this crispy Vietnamese fried tofu recipe with plain white rice; it is the perfect vehicle to carry the spicy tomato sauce and not fight with it.

But it would also be great with my stir fried broccoli or asparagus stir fry.

It is also particularly good with pickles on the side; adding some pickled daikon or pickled cucumber makes a glorious addition.

If you wanted a salad, then something like this carrot and courgette salad would be perfect! It features crispy peanuts and a fantastic Vietnamese-influenced dressing.

Equipment Used

I only name-check brands of equipment if I think that they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.

• Stovetop. This can be made using an air fryer, which negates a few items in this list. I have added an asterisk to the equipment not required if you are cooking in an air fryer.
• Wok.
• Thermometer for checking the oil temperature, I use a sugar thermometer. *
• Kitchen paper. *
• Slotted spoon. *
• Kitchen knife.
• Chopping board.
• A combination of weighing scales, a measuring jug, measuring cups and spoons.
• Stirring and serving spoons.