Tofu Vietnamese Sub (Bánh Mì)
25 min
Meal
Servings
Total
25 minPrep
15 minCook
10 minContains
soy
sesame
Swap out
gluten
Free from
peanut
tree nut
Ingredients
Tofu
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15.8 oz (450 g)firm tofu, drained
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3cloves garlic, crushed
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-
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2 tsp (9 g)granulated sugar
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1 tsp (5 mL)sesame oil
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½lime, juiced
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1 tsp (5 mL)vegetable oil
Pickled carrots
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2medium carrots, julienned
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½ cup (120 mL)boiling water
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½ cup (120 mL)white vinegar
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1½ Tbsp (21 g)granulated sugar
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1 tsp (6 g)salt
Assembly
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2large (55 cm) baguettes, toasted
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2 Tbsp (30 mL)vegan mayonnaise
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1cucumber, sliced
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1red hot chili, thinly sliced (optional)
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½ cup (8 g)fresh cilantro
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2 Tbsp (30 mL)hoisin sauce
Directions
- Gently squeeze the block of tofu to remove as much liquid as possible, then thinly cut into ¼ inch (½ cm) thick slices.
- To a large shallow dish, add the garlic, soy sauce, sriracha, sugar, sesame oil, lime juice, and whisk. Then add the tofu to the marinade and gently toss to coat. Set aside.
- To make the pickled carrots, to a mason jar, add the carrots, the boiling water, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Screw on the lid and give it a gentle shake to dissolve the sugar, and let sit while preparing the rest of the recipe.
- To a large pan on medium-high heat, add the vegetable oil and place the tofu slices in a single layer on the pan, cooking for 3 - 5 minutes, or until golden. Do not disturb the tofu as they cook, as this can cause them to crumble.
- Spoon the leftover marinade over the top of the tofu slices before giving it a flip to cook on the other side for another 3 - 5 minutes.
- Spread some mayo and hot sauce inside each baguette. Layer on the tofu slices, pickled carrots, cucumber, chili pepper, and cilantro. Serve with hoisin on the side. Enjoy!
Storage
- This sandwich is best enjoyed immediately.
- The tofu can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- The pickled carrots can be made ahead of time and stored for up to 2 weeks.
Let us know what you think
Plate method
The Plate Method is a visual tool that helps us ensure our dietary needs are on track. Touch the image below to see how this recipe measures up.
Grains & Starches 71%
• large (55 cm) baguette
Proteins 9%
• firm tofu
Fruits & Veggies 20%
• clove garlic
• lime
• medium carrot
• cucumber
• red hot chili
• fresh cilantro
Calcium
• firm tofu
Fat
• sesame oil
• vegetable oil
• vegan mayonnaise
Nutrition info
We believe that focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. If you require specific nutrition information due to a medical condition, please consult with a dietitian or physician. The nutritional information provided is composed with the utmost care. However, we cannot guarantee the correctness of the displayed values, see also our disclaimer.
Watch it step-by-step!
Discussion & Rating
This sandwich recipe in now ingrained into my brain! I recently discovered Bánh mì sandwiches and then fell upon the vegan recipe (completely in love) … we’re not completely vegan - we just don’t cook a lot of meat at home. I opt in tempeh instead of tofu (it’s all I had at the time) and it’s just as delicious. Just be sure to not over cook it! I am complete with a bánh mì in my hands
It takes a LOT to get a recipe into my permanent rotation, but this one seems to have edged its way in! My ADHD brain deeply appreciates a recipe where I can make the components ahead of time in a period of hyperfocus, and then have a much easier meal to make for the next couple of days -- that's what I do here. I stack a container of the pickled carrots and a container of the marinading tofu, uncooked, and then it's super easy to pan-fry the tofu and assemble a sandwich anytime in the next few days. :) The first time I made it without the hoisin, but dipping in it is truly NEXT. LEVEL.
Other tips: Use a coarse grater (mine has holes about twice as big as the standard size) if you don't have patience to julienne the carrots, sambal oelek works pretty well if you don't have sriracha on hand, eat your cilantro stems bc they're just as tasty as the leaves when you chop them up, I never have red chilis around but jalapenos are great too, crusty sourdough is my go-to so don't be afraid to make this a sliced bread sandwich, and you can even put all the ingredients in a bowl of cold vermicelli if you want... which is what I just finished eating! :D
Thank you!!
Great recipe! We could not believe how easy and delicious this was! Thank you!
This was so easy and delicious! I used the air fryer to cook the tofu a bit but so so good! Thank you!!!
This was so delicious and so simple!
BEST Banh Mi EVER !!!
This banh mi reminds me of the sub sandwiches that I used to eat as a kid, except that it’s vegan and loaded with wholesome ingredients and lots of fresh, colourful veggies. It’s a real winner :)
I've made this sandwich so many times! It's so satisfying because it has a little bit of everything: sweet, sour, spicy. <3
I’d never even heard of Bahn Mi before this sandwich but I can’t get enough! It’s so simple and delicious. Definitely one of my top favorite sandwiches.
Ok, don't hate me, I know this is suppose to be a vegan dish. I am moving towards becoming a vegetarian but want to clean out my freezer first in order to not waste any food. So had one last pack of chicken tenderloins which I used to make this recipe and it was AMAZING. The next time I make this I will use Tofu which I am sure will be just as amazing. Thanks for the recipe.
Okay wow! I was pleasantly surprised because I've truly never made anything resembling this. This was packed with flavour and SO delicious! I will definitely make it again! The perfect lunch :)
I make this recipe, at least, once a month! It cheap ingredients, super tasty, and always filling.
This is my go-to recipe for dinner with non-vegans. The marinade is delicious. Adding fresh cilantro, cucumber, and carrots gives the sandwich freshness and acidity. These sandwiches are an easy-to-make, filling dinner.
One of my favourite PUL recipes! So great for lunches or an easy weeknight dinner. A staple in our house!
This was seriously so delicious! I remember eating bánh mì was a substantial part of my childhood, and it makes me so happy to be able to enjoy this plant-based meal. At first, I was worried that the vegan mayonnaise would taste odd in the sandwich, but it complemented the sub so well. Each component elevates this recipe so much (especially the pickled carrots)!
My husband loves when I make this sandwich. Sometimes I make it with tempeh instead of tofu, and either way it always turns out wonderfully. The mix of tangy and mellow tastes is super yummy
This is so delicious! I've dreamed of making bahn mi and didn't know how hehe now I do! Thank you:)
This sandwich is the best vegan sub I’ve ever tasted. It’s great and so easy to make. I highly recommend everyone to try it out.
This sandwich has single-handedly changed my carnivore partner to a mostly plant-based eater! I made this out of curiosity since he loves Bahn mi, and we don't have any good local places to eat it anymore. This turned into a favorite 2 day a week meal and opened both our eyes to the possibility of letting meat go! Now we are down to a couple of meat meals a week when we would eat meat with every meal. I can't believe this doesn't feel like a sacrifice, he begs me to make this constantly! I use an air fryer for the tofu and it comes out great :)
Thanks for making it possible, love the youtube channel and whole vibe!!
So the thing is, I didn't even have a baguette, just some slightly crusty bread, and this was still amazing. I just made it as a big, messy sandwich and it was so tangy and crunchy and hearty and lovely. For me, the hoisin was the perfect addition to bring in that little extra bit of sweet, sticky umami richness. Highly recommend!!
This sandwich recipe was my introduction to the concept of a Banh Mi and I am now a big fan! I love the combination of the toasted baguette with the marinated tofu, pickled carrots and hoisin sauce on the side. I was also able to make it gluten free by finding gluten free sub rolls and hoisin sauce which has made me so happy! :)
My favorite lunch recipe!
Incredible recipe, super fresh tasting, delicious, and easy to make. I was away with a group of 10 friends and scaled up this recipe, and it was super easy to prep components like the marinade ahead of time. All my friends loved it, and asked for the recipe for themselves!
This is one of my favorite recipes! It’s so hearty, fulfilling, and flavorful. The pickled carrots are delicious with the hoisin… mmm this sandwich is perfection!
Omg this one is amazing. 10/10. First I was a little bit scared about doing this carrots but it occurred to be really easy and also taste really good.
Now one of my favourite sandwiches - especially in summer time. As someone who is slowly trying to incorporate more plant based foods I like that you can make some of the elements of this sandwich ahead of time so it is a convenient option when lunchtime arrives!
The tofu marinate is now my go to!
I recommend to everyone I know who likes tofu and bahn mi's. This is one of my go-to's when I have fresh bread around. Prefect for a refreshing summer sandwich
I discovered PUL because my room mate recommended this recipe to me. And I never stopped making PUL recipes ever since.😍 Great website by the way. Since I am used to this one I wish every other recipe blog had the same features.😊
Greetings from Germany👋🏻
A staple in our household. I think I've made this about two dozen times and it never gets old. It's also super fast and easy to make during the week. Extremely filling too. Love!
Not sure how such a simple marinade can be so good, but this is one of my all-time favourite ways to prep tofu, even before you make the actual sandwich. I like to make extra just to have... delicious marinated tofu to snack on.... Then the actual sandwich is so simple to put together and so so good!!! The one step I don't want to do is julienning, so I just take a potato peeler to my carrots and then slice those thin slices. :)
not surprising - yet another delicious recipe :) the Tofu marinade... *muah * perfection! loved this recipe and the quick pickle carrots and my non vegan husband also requested this again.
My pickled carrots were a bit too acidic for my taste. I would also recommend using some hoisin sauce inside the baguette as well, really helps amp up the flavor.
Absolutely loved this vietnamese sub! The longer the tofu marinate time, the tastier the sandwich! Thanks so much for the budget meals and for all the tasty recipes!
I've made this so many times and have had my friends make it as well. Simply delicious and besides the sandwich itself, the best part are the left overs, you can make you next sandwich in 3 minutes! Thank you!
I loved this so much ♥️ We'll definitely make this again!
My new favorite sandwich!
Mmmmm! This is so gooooood! 🤤
Yum! I added some purple cabbage and yellow pepper to the carrots and swapped in a gluten free wrap for the bun. So good!
This recipe is delicious and easy to make! I like to add ginger to the marinade! My boyfriend cooked it for his parents and sister and they liked it as well!