Asian Noodle Salad with Grilled Tofu & Sesame Dressing
This Asian Noodle Salad with Grilled Tofu & Sesame Dressing is a light, refreshing, and protein-packed dish perfect for lunch or dinner. Whole wheat noodles are tossed with crunchy vegetables and topped with smoky grilled tofu, then finished with a savory sesame dressing. It’s flavorful, satisfying, and easy to make ahead.
Equipment
- Large pot (for noodles)
- Skillet or grill pan (for tofu)
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Cutting board & knife
Ingredients
- Salad:
- 8 oz Whole Wheat Noodles
- 2 cups Shredded Cabbage red or green
- 1 cup Shredded Carrots
- 1 Tofu 14 oz firm tofu, drained and sliced
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce for marinating tofu
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil for grilling tofu
- 2 Green Onions chopped
- 1 tbsp Sesame Seeds for garnish
- ¼ cup Chopped Cilantro optional
- For the Sesame Dressing:
- 3 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 tbsp Rice Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Maple Syrup or Honey
- 1 clove Garlic minced
- 1 tsp Grated Ginger
Instructions
- Prepare the noodles: Cook whole wheat noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
- Marinate the tofu: Pat the tofu dry, slice it into slabs, and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Let sit for 5–10 minutes.
- Grill the tofu: Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Brush with 1 tbsp sesame oil and cook tofu 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and slice into strips.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, olive oil, maple syrup, garlic, and ginger until smooth.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine noodles, cabbage, carrots, and green onions. Pour dressing over the salad and toss well.
- Top & serve: Add grilled tofu on top, garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Meal prep friendly: Store salad and tofu separately in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add dressing just before serving.
Customize it: Swap noodles for rice noodles or soba noodles. Add bell peppers, cucumber, or snap peas for more crunch.
Make it gluten-free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and rice noodles instead of wheat.
Nutrition (per serving, 4 servings)
Calories: ~360
Protein: 17g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 6g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Sodium: ~780mg