Chinese Mala Bean Curd Noodles Cold Salad 麻辣涼拌豆腐絲

Chinese Mala Bean Curd Noodles Cold Salad 麻辣涼拌豆腐絲 is a vibrant, bold, and spicy cold appetizer made with tofu skin sheets. This easy protein-packed Beijing supermarket-inspired vegetarian meal dish is refreshing and perfect for summertime! It is quick to make in under 15 minutes, can be meal-prepped for the week, and requires a few versatile ingredients, such as beancurd skin, Sichuan peppercorns, chilli oil, and one secret ingredient. 

> In This Post: Everything You'll Need For The Best Spicy Tofu Noodles Recipe

This recipe is usually unavailable in Chinese restaurants but is available at the salad bar in your local Asian market. 

The combination of Sichuan peppercorns' signature mala numbing profile and thinly sliced tofu strips makes this healthy plant-based protein oriental salad bar our favourite side dish. In fact, this protein-rich Asian salad is easily customizable. Add your favourite vegetables, such as julienned cucumbers and carrots, your choice of spice level, and even extra vegan or animal protein. Don't be shy with your garnishes. I love adding crushed roasted peanuts, pickled veggies, cilantro, and many thinly sliced spring scallions.

Check out this quick story summary of our recipe!

Jump to:

• > In This Post: Everything You'll Need For The Best Spicy Tofu Noodles Recipe
• Ingredients and Substitutes
• Mala Chili Sauce Ingredients
• Instructions
• How To Meal Prep Asian Mala Tofu Salad
• What To Serve With Chinese Tofu Noodles with Spicy Sauce
• > Recipe Card
• Chinese Mala Bean Curd Noodles Cold Salad 麻辣涼拌豆腐絲

Ingredients and Substitutes

Bean Curd Noodles 豆腐絲 - Fresh or dried bean curd noodles are equally delicious. Dried pressed tofu noodles are an everyday pantry staple because they can be kept for an extended period.

What is sliced tofu?

Sliced tofu (豆腐絲, Dòufu sī) comes from compressed tofu that is denser than extra firm tofu. Sometimes, it may contain smoked flavour or Chinese Five Spice seasoning. Different types of tofu skin are available at your local Asian grocery store. If you can not find pre-cut thin strips of tofu noodles, you can always cut thin sheets of pressed tofu yourself. Do not confuse bean curd noodles with mung bean thread noodles, which are vermicelli glass noodles (cellophane noodles). Love tofu products? Try Air Fryer Crispy Tofu with Salt and Pepper 氣炸鍋椒鹽豆腐. 

An addicting spicy sauce is essential for a delicious Chinese mala tofu salad. Adjust the spice level to your preferred heat level.

Mala Chili Sauce Ingredients

Sichuan Peppercorns花椒 - Fans of the numbing sensation of Sichuan peppercorns must also try this Mapo Tofu Recipe and Sichuan Mala Mouth-Watering Chicken 四川麻辣口水雞.

Sichuan Chili Oil 四川红油 - While numbing is a winning characteristic of mala, a red chilli oil's spicy is required to lift the taste and flavour.

Vegetable oil 油 - A neutral-tasting oil is required to infuse aromatics as a base oil for the mala spicy sauce. Alternatively, add a few teaspoons of this homemade Fragrant Peppercorn Oil 萬用香料油秘方.

Black Vinegar 黑醋 - Add a few drops of sour vinegar to instantly enhance this chilli sauce. This secret ingredient adds depth of flavour and tanginess to dishes and sauces. Chinese black vinegar reduces greasiness. If black vinegar is unavailable at your local Asian grocery stores, opt for a dash of rice vinegar.

Sesame Oil 芝麻油: Add a few drops to the mala spicy oil to make it fragrant, or gently toss cooked tofu strips to prevent them from sticking together.

Kosher Salt to taste

Brown Sugar to taste

I store my dried herbs in an airtight container. I like to portion and meal prep into herbal soup packs for Chinese breakfasts, which I frequently make.

Optional Garnish Ingredients

• Finely Chopped Green Onions
• Fresh Cilantro
• Red Pepper Chili Flakes
• Toasted Garlic Flakes
• Toasted Sesame Seeds

Most dry goods ingredients, tools, and supplies can be purchased at local Asian markets, Chinese grocery stores, or Amazon Online. Amazon Prime members receive free shipping and faster delivery times.

Instructions

This Asian salad bar recipe comes with great texture and flavour. It takes little preparation and can be meal-prepped. Enjoy this protein-rich plant-based summery salad on its own or as a side dish.

Follow our step-by-step instructions to ace this summertime crowd favourite dish!

Cook fresh or dried tofu strips according to package instructions.

• Fresh Tofu Strips (鮮豆腐絲, Xiān dòufu sī): Boil fresh tofu strips for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Dried Tofu Strips (幹豆腐絲, Gàn dòufu sī): Resuscitate dried tofu strips in cold water until they soften. Soak for at least 6 hours. This prepares the tofu product to absorb all the flavour in the seasoning sauce. Once softened, boil the tofu strips for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Five Spiced Tofu Blocks (五香豆腐干, Wǔxiāng dòufu gān): If using plain blocks of flavoured five-spice tofu, simply julienned into thin strips. This julienne peeler works like magic! It slices and peels the tofu and vegetables with ease! Boil the tofu strips for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Toss gently with sesame oil to prevent the tofu strips from drying out quickly or sticking together. Chill in the fridge in an airtight container and reserve for later.

Mala Chili Sauce Instructions

Next, it's time to prepare the Mala Chili Sauce.

In a dry pot over low heat, lightly toast the Sichuan peppercorns.

Once fragrant, add vegetable or avocado oil to the pan to infuse the toasted spices. Simmer until the oil is hot, usually 2-3 minutes.

Sticking one end of a wooden chopstick into the oil is the easiest and safest way to test whether the oil is hot. If tiny bubbles form around the wooden tip, the oil is ready.

Pour the Sichuan peppercorns-infused oil into a heat-safe glass bowl.

Add Sichuan Red Chili Oil, sesame oil, brown sugar and kosher salt to taste. Add as much red chilli oil as necessary to achieve the desired spice level.

Add Chinese black vinegar and mix well. This secret ingredient is excellent for brightening flavours.

Tofu Noodle Salad Assembly

Add cooked bean curd noodles and mala spicy sauce in a large mixing bowl. The dressing should coat the tofu just enough.

Garnish with fresh cilantro or finely chopped spring onion. Sprinkle some sesame seeds if desired.

Optional Ingredients

Bulking up this tofu noodle salad with vegetables such as julienned cucumbers, carrots, or fresh bean sprouts is easy. Add them into the mix and give the Chinese salad a quick toss.

Serve and enjoy chilled!

How To Meal Prep Asian Mala Tofu Salad

You can efficiently incorporate this Chinese Mala Bean Curd Noodles Cold Salad recipe into your healthy family meal prep ideas for the week. Whether making freezer meals, making ahead for one, or batching cold tofu strips, store the meal-prepped tofu salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.  

Chilled tofu noodles with mala spicy sauce are the best ways to beat the summer heat. This hassle-free supermarket-ready meal can be stored in a freezer ziplock bag.

It is the perfect side dish to boost protein for lunches for kids and adults. For kids, I would omit the spiciness of the dressing ingredients and toss it with light sesame oil.

Take it out and place it in the refrigerator to thaw overnight. The ingredients will get a deeper, more flavourful marinade as it thaws. This is an incredible hack to achieve maximum flavour!

Other Tofu Recipes You'll Love

If you love this refreshing tofu recipe, you may also like these types of tofu-forward recipes on our blog. They're a total change of texture and flavour, but they're readers' favourites!

• Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu 氣炸鍋椒鹽豆腐
• Century Egg and Cold Tofu Appetizer 凉拌皮蛋豆腐
• 10 Minute Lazy KETO Tomato Tofu Soup 蕃茄鴻喜菇豆腐湯生酮減肥

This Chinese Tofu Noodle Cold Appetizer recipe is so easy you do not even need to rely on an Asian meal prep delivery service for takeout!

What To Serve With Chinese Tofu Noodles with Spicy Sauce

This great recipe is a flavourful and spicy Sichuan dish.

They would go perfectly with some Dried Scallops Egg White Fried Rice 瑤柱蛋白炒飯. How about balancing half your plate with some stir-fried leafy green vegetables?

Complete the meal with the following delicious dishes.

• Stir-Fried Bean Sprouts and Chives 爆炒豆芽菜韭菜
• Air Fried Chinese BBQ Pork 氣炸鍋蜜汁叉燒
• Fish Maw Crab Meat Soup 蟹肉魚肚羹 (鱼膘羹)
• Instant Pot Braised Chinese Mushrooms 髮菜炆冬菇食譜
• Microwave Soy Sauce Chicken Wings 豉油雞翅微波爐
• Chinese Tomato Egg Stir-fry 番茄炒蛋

After eating lots of heavy, rich, and deep-fried foods, a great way to reduce heat is with a bowl of this liver-detoxing Chinese Sweet Mung Bean Soup 綠豆沙 or Hawthorn Goji Berry Tea Digestion Tea 山楂杞子茶 that aids digestion.

I'd love to see how you've used my recipes! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @INSTANOMSS #INSTANOMSS.

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