1. Vermicelli with Tofu and Shrimp Paste
Vermicelli with Tofu and Shrimp Paste is an incredibly popular street food, especially in Hanoi. But have you ever thought about bringing this street snack to your dining table at home? Here’s the recipe to make this iconic dish for your next gathering with friends.
Ingredients:
- Tofu (10 pieces, serves about 4 people)
- Pork leg or belly (500g)
- Grilled rice cake (optional, 300g)
- Good-quality vermicelli, shrimp paste or fish sauce with chili, lemon, sugar, cooking oil, perilla leaves, cucumber, fresh herbs.
Instructions:
- Step 1: Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces, slightly thinner than usual since it needs to be fried crispy on all sides. Fry in hot oil until golden and crispy, then place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Step 2: Boil the pork leg or belly until cooked, then slice it thinly. If using grilled rice cake, slice and briefly fry.
- Step 3: Arrange the vermicelli, pork, and tofu on a plate. If you prefer, mix fish sauce, lemon, and chili to replace shrimp paste. Serve with vermicelli, tofu, meat, cucumbers, and fresh herbs for a delicious meal.

2. Spicy Mushroom Tofu
Spicy Mushroom Tofu is an incredibly easy-to-make dish with simple ingredients that packs a punch of flavor. It’s the perfect meal when you're short on time but still craving something delicious and satisfying after a long workday.
Ingredients:
- Tofu (2 blocks)
- Ground pork (150g)
- Wood ear mushrooms (30g)
- Shiitake mushrooms (30g)
- Salt, MSG, sugar, cornstarch, cooking oil, green onions.
Instructions:
- Step 1: Soak the shiitake and wood ear mushrooms in water until softened. Clean and chop the mushrooms, slicing the wood ear mushrooms into strips. Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces.
- Step 2: Wash the green onions and chop them finely.
- Step 3: Heat oil in a pan and sauté the ground pork. Add the shiitake and wood ear mushrooms, seasoning with salt, sugar, and other spices. Stir to let the flavors meld. Then add cornstarch, and if you like it spicy, feel free to add chili paste, chili powder, or black pepper. For a milder flavor, you can add ketchup and stir well.
- Step 4: When the mixture in the pan is heated through, gently add the tofu. Instead of stirring with chopsticks, tilt the pan gently to allow the tofu to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Step 5: Once the dish is well-cooked, sprinkle chopped green onions on top and turn off the heat.
The dish is perfect when the tofu is infused with the savory and spicy sauce, complemented by the sweetness of the pork and mushrooms. Enjoy!

3. Spicy Meat Tofu
Korean-style Spicy Meat Tofu is a soft and rich dish that’s full of flavor and very unique. It’s simple yet incredibly appetizing.
Ingredients:
- Tofu (1-2 blocks)
- Ground pork (100g)
- Onion (1/2, diced)
- Bell peppers (1/4 each of red and green, diced)
- Green onions, garlic (minced), chili powder
Instructions:
- Step 1: Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan, then add diced onions, green onions, and chili powder. Stir fry for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the ground pork and stir well to combine with the onion mixture. Then add the bell peppers and cook until slightly soft.
- Step 4: Pour about 2/3 of a rice bowl of water into the pan and bring to a boil.
- Step 5: Gently add the tofu, being careful not to break it apart. Stir gently to coat the tofu with the sauce.
- Step 6: Let the mixture cook until the sauce thickens, leaving a small amount of liquid. Sprinkle green onions on top and turn off the heat. Serve with hot rice for a warming meal.

4. Tofu Wrapped in Betel Leaves
Tofu Wrapped in Betel Leaves is a great dish for a vegetarian meal at the start of the month. The creamy tofu with the earthy flavor of shiitake mushrooms and crunchy wood ear mushrooms will keep you coming back for more. In traditional medicine, betel leaves are considered warm and aromatic, with benefits like reducing bloating, aiding digestion, and improving overall health.
You can pair this dish with chili sauce or soy sauce, depending on your preference. Though it’s a vegetarian dish, Tofu Wrapped in Betel Leaves is so flavorful that it rivals regular grilled betel leaf meat rolls. This is a light yet satisfying dish perfect for a healthy start to the month.
Ingredients:
- Tofu
- Betel leaves
- Shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms
- Seasonings, cooking oil.
Instructions:
- Step 1: Wash the ingredients, then chop the shiitake mushrooms and soak the wood ear mushrooms in hot water until softened. Slice the mushrooms into thin strips.
- Step 2: Mash the tofu and mix it with the mushrooms. Add seasonings and black pepper to taste, creating the filling for the rolls.
- Step 3: Lay out the betel leaves and spoon the tofu mixture onto each leaf. Roll them tightly and carefully. Fry the rolls in a pan until the betel leaves turn golden brown. Be sure to cook over medium heat to prevent burning.
- Step 4: Once done, remove the rolls from the pan and serve. They can be dipped in soy sauce or fish sauce for extra flavor.
These crispy, flavorful tofu rolls are a great addition to your vegetarian meals. Tofu Wrapped in Betel Leaves pairs wonderfully with white rice, vermicelli noodles, or even fresh vegetables. A great dish to freshen up your vegetarian menu!

5. Silken Tofu with Ground Pork Sauce
Using common ingredients like silken tofu, lean pork, and straw mushrooms, this dish adds a creative twist, offering a delicious and satisfying meal for the whole family. Hot and savory, each piece of tofu soaks up the rich sauce, delivering a slightly spicy flavor that’s truly unique.
Ingredients:
- Silken tofu (500g)
- Ground pork (150g)
- 1 carrot, 1 small piece of ginger, chopped green onions, garlic
- 150g fresh mushrooms
- Seasonings: fish sauce, sugar, oyster sauce, pepper
Instructions:
- Step 1: Prepare the tofu by steaming it lightly, and marinate the ground pork with seasonings. Dice the carrot and slice the ginger into thin strips.
- Step 2: Sauté the ground pork with the diced carrot and ginger, then add the mushrooms. Season with fish sauce, sugar, and oyster sauce until the mushrooms are tender.
- Step 3: Arrange the silken tofu on a plate and pour the sautéed mixture over the top. The dish is now ready to serve!
Silken Tofu with Ground Pork Sauce combines the smoothness of tofu, the sweetness of the pork, the slight tang of the carrot, and the spicy heat from chili and satay, creating a flavor that’s unforgettable once you try it.

6. Braised Tofu with Shiitake Mushrooms
Using easily available ingredients and a simple cooking method, this braised tofu with shiitake mushrooms is delicious, with the savory flavor of the mushrooms and the rich taste of the braised tofu. It's a perfect vegetarian dish for the full moon festival or any day you want a tasty, quick meal.
Ingredients:
- 5 blocks of soft tofu
- 15-20 shiitake mushrooms
- Garlic, soy sauce, vegetarian seasoning, sugar, pepper, chili peppers, spring onions
Instructions:
- Step 1: Soak the shiitake mushrooms in warm water until soft, remove the stems, rinse them clean, and set them aside to drain. Clean and chop the spring onions.
- Step 2: Heat oil in a pan and fry the tofu blocks until golden. Remove and drain the excess oil.
- Step 3: Sauté garlic in hot oil until fragrant, then stir-fry the mushrooms with a pinch of vegetarian seasoning.
- Step 4: Add the tofu, soy sauce, sugar, pepper, and vegetarian seasoning. Stir well, add a bit of water, and simmer on low heat until the sauce thickens and becomes flavorful. Turn off the heat, sprinkle with chopped spring onions and whole chili peppers. Serve hot with rice.
This braised tofu with shiitake mushrooms is a nutritious and delicious dish that satisfies both dietary and vegetarian needs, with quick and easy preparation. Enjoy your meal!

7. Spicy Tofu with Non-Dairy Sauce
Spicy Tofu with Sauce is a delicious dish featuring soft and creamy tofu combined with the rich, aromatic flavor of spicy satay sauce. This dish is perfect for cold weather, offering warmth and comfort. Tofu-based dishes are rich in nutrients and beneficial to health. This spicy-sour tofu dish can be a great way to add variety to your family meals.
Ingredients:
- Fresh tofu (about 4 blocks)
- 150g minced pork shoulder
- 3 tomatoes
- A few shallots
- 2 teaspoons of satay sauce
- 2 teaspoons of oyster sauce
- Spring onions, cilantro
- Cooking oil, seasoning to taste
Instructions:
- Step 1: Peel and thinly slice the shallots. Heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the shallots until fragrant. Add the minced pork and stir-fry until cooked, then set aside.
- Step 2: Peel, deseed, and chop the tomatoes into small pieces. Cook the tomatoes in a pot until they break down into a sauce.
- Step 3: Cut the tofu into small cubes.
- Step 4: Add the cooked pork into the tomato sauce, followed by the oyster sauce, satay, and seasoning. Stir well for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Step 5: Add some water to cover the pork, bring it to a boil, and then add the tofu cubes.
- Step 6: Finally, sprinkle chopped spring onions and cilantro over the dish, turn off the heat, and serve. In just 20 minutes, you'll have a tasty and satisfying spicy tofu dish perfect for a cozy dinner!

8. Kimchi Tofu
Kimchi Tofu is a flavorful and unique dish that's surprisingly easy to make. It’s especially perfect to enjoy when the weather turns chilly in the fall. Learn how to make this dish to impress your friends and family!
Ingredients:
- 2 blocks of tofu
- 100g beef
- 1/3 cup of thinly sliced kimchi
- 5g chili powder
- 1 egg
- Spring onions, sesame oil, minced garlic, black pepper
Instructions:
- Step 1: Thinly slice the beef and kimchi. In a small pot, combine the kimchi, beef, chili powder, minced garlic, and sesame oil. Stir everything well to coat and cook over low heat until the beef is cooked and the kimchi softens (about 3-5 minutes).
- Step 2: Add water and the kimchi juice, then bring to a boil.
- Step 3: Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces and add it to the pot with the kimchi and beef. If you prefer more spice, add some black pepper.
- Step 4: Add a hard-boiled egg, peeled and sliced, into the pot.
- Step 5: Let it simmer for another 4-5 minutes. Add chopped spring onions and turn off the heat.
Now you have a delicious, spicy, and fragrant pot of kimchi tofu, perfect for warming you up on a chilly day.

9. Crispy Shrimp Tofu Rolls
If you're unsure what to eat on certain days, crispy shrimp tofu rolls are the perfect option. This unique dish will make your meals even more tempting and flavorful.
Ingredients (serves 3-4):
- 1 block of tofu
- 150g lean pork
- 10-12 large shrimp
- 150g shrimp paste
- 1-2 eggs
- Garlic, shallots, oyster sauce, seasoning powder, salt, flour for frying, breadcrumbs, cornstarch
Instructions:
- Step 1:
- Rinse the tofu, mash it, and place it in a bowl.
- Peel the large shrimp, then cut a slit along the belly to keep the shrimp straight while frying.
- Finely chop the small shrimp and pork.
- Minced garlic and shallots.
- Step 2: Mix the mashed tofu with the minced pork, small shrimp, oyster sauce, seasoning powder, minced garlic, shallots, and cornstarch.
- Step 3: Beat the eggs and mix them into the tofu and shrimp mixture.
- Step 4: Take the large shrimp and wrap it in the tofu mixture. Roll it in flour, dip it into the beaten egg, and coat it in breadcrumbs.
- Step 5: Heat oil in a pan and fry the shrimp rolls until golden brown and crispy on the outside. Once done, drain excess oil. The crispy texture on the outside and the soft, flavorful filling inside with shrimp and pork makes this dish irresistible.

10. Stir-Fried Tofu with Bean Sprouts
Stir-Fried Tofu with Bean Sprouts is the perfect dish for those who follow a vegetarian diet. If you're tired of greasy meat and fish dishes, this light and refreshing meal will give your taste buds a pleasant change. It's ideal for a light lunch that won't leave you feeling sluggish in the afternoon. A heavy lunch filled with too much meat or fish can make you feel tired and sleepy later in the day.
Ingredients:
- 2 blocks of tofu
- 500g bean sprouts
- 1 carrot
- Shimeji mushrooms, fresh bamboo shoots, cilantro, salt, soy sauce, seasoning powder
Instructions:
- Step 1: Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces and fry in a pan until golden brown. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil. Once cooled, cut the tofu into thin strips.
- Step 2: Trim the roots of the mushrooms and bean sprouts, then wash them thoroughly. Peel and shred the carrot. Slice the bamboo shoots into strips. Wash and drain the cilantro.
- Step 3: Heat oil in a pan, then add the carrot and bamboo shoots. Stir-fry for a few minutes and season with salt and soy sauce.
- Step 4: Once the carrots have softened, add the mushrooms and tofu. Stir gently to avoid breaking the tofu.
- Step 5: When the mushrooms have softened, add the bean sprouts and cook for a couple more minutes. Once the bean sprouts are tender, add the cilantro and turn off the heat. This dish is simple to make with easy-to-find ingredients, perfect for busy days.

