This Vegan Bún Chay Vietnamese noodle salad recipe is a delicious and healthy dish you can make in 30 minutes.
Guys, I’m officially over winter. I refuse to accept any more crappy weather.
But that doesn’t have to mean that I have to keep eating soups, stews, and casseroles, right?
I want to eat things that are fresh, and green, and raw, and filled with interesting textures! I have NEEDS.
Needs like this vegan Vietnamese salad bowl. Swoon.
What You Need For This Recipe
This Vietnamese vermicelli salad has;
- Tender rice noodles
- Caramelized tofu
- Raw vegetables
- Lots of crunchy peanuts
- The whole thing is topped with fresh herbs (cilantro + basil + mint)
- And a tangy-salty dressing
I decided it was high time I made a vegan Vietnamese noodle bowl the way I wanted it!
Instead of greasy, deep-fried tofu I wanted mine to be sticky-sweet and caramelized.
Rather than two sprigs of limp herbs, I wanted handfuls of fresh Thai basil, mint leaves, and cilantro.
In lieu of a few stray slices of cucumber, I prefer a Vietnamese bun salad loaded with colorful veggies!
Now, that’s what I’m talking about.
Since I made this at home, I was able to keep the dressing/seasoning vegan by using mushroom soy sauce instead of fish sauce.
One quick note: most of the places around here call this dish “bun chay,” although I’ve also seen it called Vietnamese rice noodle salad, Vietnamese vermicelli noodle salad, Vietnamese bun recipe, bun Vietnamese salad, Vietnamese noodle salad and about a thousand other things so for the sake of argument let’s just refer to it as a Vietnamese cold noodle salad.
Just looking at these pictures is giving me a serious craving! I think it’s time I make my way to the kitchen and properly welcome myself home.
How to Make Vietnamese Noodle Salad
Set a large pot of water on the stove to boil. Assemble the ingredients for the dressing.
Whisk the Vietnamese noodle salad dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside to infuse.
Cook the noodles according to package directions; rinse with cold water, drain well, then divide into four serving bowls.
Assemble the ingredients for the caramelized tofu.
Heat one tablespoon of peanut oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the tofu pieces and fry until golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes on both sides.
While the tofu is frying, stir the mushroom soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar together in a small bowl until the sugar has dissolved.
Once the tofu is browned, pour this mixture into the pan. Allow the sauce to cook in the pan for 1 to 2 minutes, until it begins to thicken. Flip the tofu to ensure the sauce coats and sticks to each side. Cook for another minute or so, until the tofu is caramelized and sticky. Transfer the tofu to the noodle bowls.
Top the noodle bowls with julienned carrot, sliced bell pepper, cucumber half moons, herbs, and peanuts.
Pour a quarter of the prepared dressing over each bowl.
Serve and enjoy!
More Yummy Vegan Recipes to check out:
- Hoisin Tofu Stir Fry with Peppers and Carrots
- Roasted Plantain and Sweet Potato Tostadas
- General Tso Cauliflower
- Sesame Orange Tofu Stir Fry
- Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff
- Thai Red Curry (Vegan)
- Southern Style Vegan Black Eyed Peas
Vegan Bún Chay Recipe (Vietnamese Noodle Salad Recipe)
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Ingredients
For the Dressing
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 tablespoons coconut or date sugar*
- 2 tablespoons mushroom soy sauce - or low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated lemongrass - white part only
- 1 clove garlic - grated
- 1 to 2 bird’s eye chilies - sliced (optional)
- 2 to 3 dashes Maggi seasoning
- 1 tablespoon water
For the Bún Chay
- 8 ounces thin rice noodles - vermicelli-style
- 2 carrots - julienned
- 1 large bell pepper - orange, yellow, or red, thinly sliced
- 1 cup English cucumber half moons
- 1 cup cilantro stems and leaves - remove tough stem ends if desired
- 1 cup Thai basil leaves
- 1 cup mint leaves
- 1 cup chopped peanuts
- Lime wedges for serving - optional
For the Caramelized Tofu
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil
- 14 ounces firm tofu - sliced into bite-sized rectangles
- 2 teaspoons mushroom soy sauce - or low sodium soy-sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon coconut or date sugar
Instructions
- Set a large pot of water on the stove to boil for cooking the noodles.
- While the water is heating, whisk the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside to infuse.
- After the water is boiling, cook the noodles according to package directions; rinse with cold water, drain well, then divide into four serving bowls.
- Heat one tablespoon of peanut oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the tofu pieces and fry until golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes on both sides. While the tofu is frying, stir the mushroom soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar together in a small bowl until the sugar has dissolved.
- Once the tofu is browned, pour this mixture into the pan. Allow the sauce to cook in the pan for 1 to 2 minutes, until it begins to thicken. Flip the tofu to ensure the sauce coats and sticks to each side. Cook for another minute or so, until the tofu is caramelized and sticky. Transfer the tofu to the noodle bowls.
- Top the noodle bowls with julienned carrot, sliced bell pepper, cucumber half moons, herbs, and peanuts. Pour a quarter of the prepared dressing over each bowl. Serve at once.
VIDEO
NOTES
Nutrition
We make this every other week now!
Everyone I know loves this recipe!