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Home / Recipes
40 minutes
4.64 from 131 votes
50 Comments

Tofu Drunken Noodles

Jump to RecipePrint Recipe
  • 440
by: Joanna Cismaru
10.01.20

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Tofu Drunken Noodles! Spicy, succulent Udon noodles made with Tofu and an array of bright veggies. An easy and addictive meal!

side view shot of tofu drunken noodles freshly made in a serving platter

I regret to inform you that although the name of this dish is Tofu Drunken Noodles, no alcohol was actually used in the making. Why are they called drunken noodles you ask? One theory is that they are so spicy, people get drunk in the process – trying to quench their thirst. Even though drunken noodles have no alcohol in them, that doesn’t make them any less delicious!

I just love the idea of these noodles – they are so simple to put together and create an outstanding dish that is both flavorful and filling! In my opinion, making your own noodles at home beats take out any day!

overhead shot of tofu drunken noodles in a wok with a wooden spoon inside

The benefits of tofu

Tofu is made from soy bean curds and is an excellent source of protein (especially for vegans and vegetarians) – it also contains all nine essential amino acids!

Tofu is a valuable plant-based source of iron and calcium. A diet that contains a variety of plant-based foods helps contribute to overall health and wellbeing, and lowers the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. It can enhance your skin and hair, boost energy, and help maintain a healthy weight!

If the mere thought of eating Tofu turns you off, then by all means use chicken, beef, pork or whatever you fancy for this recipe!

overhead shot of all the ingredients needed to make tofu drunken noodles

Ingredients in drunken noodles

Keep scrolling down to the printable recipe card for FULL ingredient amounts and instructions or click the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the page!

Sauce

  • Sesame Oil – You can substitute for any nut or seed oil. A light oil like vegetable or peanut oil mixed with toasted sesame seeds will work as well.
  • Soy Sauce – I used low sodium.
  • Fish Sauce – If you don’t like the taste of fish sauce, you can add extra soy sauce or substitute with tamari.
  • Brown Sugar – To sweeten the sauce.
  • Honey – You can substitute with maple syrup or agave.
  • Sriracha – You can substitute with your favourite hot sauce.
  • Dark soy sauce – This is slightly sweeter than regular soy sauce, but it’s usually used to darken the color of sauces. If you can’t find it, you can replace it with regular soy sauce. I usually find this in my local Asian store.
  • Oyster sauce – This sauce is made from oysters and it tastes like a combination of soy sauce and barbecue sauce. You can use hoisin instead.
  • Garlic – Fresh is best! Minced.
  • Water

Stir Fry

  • Sesame Oil – You can substitute for any nut or seed oil.
  • Olive Oil – You can substitute vegetable oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil or avocado oil.
  • Udon Noodles – I used cooked, Japanese udon.
  • Tofu – Firm, chopped into small 1 inch pieces (you can substitute with chicken, shrimp, beef, or pork)
  • Onion – I used a small onion, thinly sliced.
  • Bell Pepper – I used a red bell pepper, thinly sliced.
  • Additional Veggies – I used baby corn, broccoli florets, mushrooms and snap peas.
  • Green Onion – Chopped.
detailed process shots showing how to make tofu drunken noodles

How to make tofu drunken noodles

  1. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl whisk all the sauce ingredients together.
  2. Cook Tofu and Veggies: In a large skillet or wok heat olive oil and sesame oil. Cook the tofu on all sides over medium-high heat, should take 3 to 5 minutes. You might have to do this in a couple batches. Add the onion to the skillet and cook until the onion begins to soften a bit, another 2 to 3 minutes. Next, bell pepper and mushroom and continue sautéing the pepper starts to soften and mushrooms begin to brown a bit, stirring occasionally. Finally, add the broccoli, baby corn and snap peas. Toss everything together and cook for another 5 minutes.
  3. Finish and Serve: Add the cooked udon noodles to the skillet and pour in the sauce. Toss and cook for 2 to 3 minutes then remove from heat. Sprinkle with green onions and serve.
overhead shot of tofu drunken noodles in a plate with chopstick laying on the plate

How to serve

Another reason I love these drunken noodles so much is because the ingredients are so interchangeable! You don’t have to use the veggies I listed above – you can use whatever you have at home! Try throwing in some water chestnuts or chopped carrot for a little crunch! One thing you do have to do, eat this hot! The aroma will make you want to eat it before it’s even out of the wok, trust me.

overhead shot of tofu drunken noodles freshly made in a serving platter

Leftovers

Store leftover drunken noodles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. To reheat, toss in the microwave or back into a skillet/wok until heated through.

You CAN freeze your drunken noodles to have them keep longer but keep in mind they might lose their quality and are best served fresh.

side view shot of tofu drunken noodles in a wok with a wooden spoon inside

More great recipes to try:

  • Mongolian Chicken
  • Easy Fried Rice
  • Hoisin Chicken Udon Noodles
  • Instant Pot Cashew Chicken
  • Chicken Lo Mein
  • Skillet Chicken Satay
  • Chow Mein
  • Shrimp Shiitake Noodles
  • Chicken Ramen Stir Fry
  • Easy Beef and Broccoli

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side view shot of tofu drunken noodles freshly made in a serving platter

Tofu Drunken Noodles

4.64 from 131 votes
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 40 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 4
Print Pin Rate
Tofu Drunken Noodles! Spicy, succulent Udon noodles made with Tofu and an array of bright veggies. An easy and addictive meal!

Equipment

  • 14-inch Wok

Ingredients

Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup water

Stir Fry

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 21 ounce udon noodles cooked (3 packages, 7 oz package)
  • 12 ounce firm tofu chopped into small 1 inch pieces (substitute with chicken, shrimp, beef, or pork)
  • 1 small onion sliced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup baby corn
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 cup mushrooms sliced
  • 1/2 cup snap peas
  • 2 green onions chopped
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Make the sauce: In a small bowl whisk all the sauce ingredients together.
  • Cook the tofu: To a large skillet or wok add the olive oil and sesame oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook until browned on all sides, should take about 3 to 5 minutes. You might need to do this in batches.
  • Cook veggies: Add the onion to the skillet and cook until the onion begins to soften a bit, another 2 to 3 minutes. Next, bell pepper and mushroom and continue sautéing the pepper starts to soften and mushrooms begin to brown a bit, stirring occasionally. Finally, add the broccoli, baby corn and snap peas. Toss everything together and cook for another 5 minutes.
  • Finish and Serve: Add the cooked udon noodles to the skillet and pour in the sauce. Toss and cook for 2 to 3 minutes then remove from heat. Sprinkle with green onions and serve.

Recipe Notes

  1. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. To reheat, toss in the microwave or back into a skillet/wok until heated through.
  2. You CAN freeze your leftover noodles to have them keep longer but keep in mind they might lose their quality and are best served fresh.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 497kcal (25%)Carbohydrates: 69g (23%)Protein: 23g (46%)Fat: 17g (26%)Saturated Fat: 2g (13%)Sodium: 2226mg (97%)Potassium: 478mg (14%)Fiber: 8g (33%)Sugar: 19g (21%)Vitamin A: 1490IU (30%)Vitamin C: 94mg (114%)Calcium: 151mg (15%)Iron: 3mg (17%)
Course:Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine:Asian
Keyword:drunken noodles, tofu drunken noodles
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!

  • 440

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Comments

  1. Barb says

    July 21, 2020 at 5:30 pm

    5 stars
    Fabulous! Veggie combination is perfect and the sauce is easy and amazing. The whole fam loved it (which is saying a lot).

    Reply
  2. Donna says

    July 3, 2020 at 9:04 am

    We cannot have oyster sauce or any shellfish in our house. Can you recommend something else to use instead of oyster sauce in the Tofu Drunken Noodles. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      July 3, 2020 at 9:36 am

      Hoisin!

      Reply
  3. JJ says

    June 2, 2020 at 12:53 pm

    5 stars
    I loved this simple recipe. My family really enjoyed the dish too. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  4. SKE says

    April 25, 2020 at 5:48 pm

    4 stars
    We didn’t have quite the same veggies and our udon noodles were more like lo mein, but the sauce was the same and we thought this dish was ok. Looked better in the picture.

    Reply
  5. Bec says

    March 23, 2020 at 8:24 am

    Really flavoursome and easy to make

    Reply
  6. BIx says

    December 1, 2019 at 9:53 am

    so good! the whole family loved it and wanted more and more. you can be creative with this recipe.

    Reply
    • jo says

      December 1, 2019 at 10:04 am

      Glad to hear it!

      Reply
  7. Adrian Maier says

    October 22, 2019 at 3:58 pm

    I substituted honey for maple syrup, carrots for peppers and added a squeeze of lime in the end. DELICIOUS!!!

    Reply
  8. Rita Lama says

    August 27, 2019 at 3:32 pm

    5 stars
    So yummy-added ginger and didn’t have required broccoli so added cauliflower and zucchini. Also didn’t have bean sprouts but recipe is very good.

    Reply
  9. Susan Langdon says

    August 11, 2019 at 7:48 pm

    5 stars
    Tried it tonight with my picky family. Even my husband who refuses to try meatless meals ate it and didn’t complain!

    Reply
  10. Each says

    March 22, 2019 at 4:32 am

    Just made this , its so easy and tasty , will be making it again and again , Thanks

    Reply
  11. Marianne says

    June 19, 2018 at 1:41 pm

    This looks so good! I love udon 🙂

    But I’m almost vegan (haven’t given up milk chocolate and some types of pastries that contain milk/ eggs completely yet) so I was wondering; If you don’t have/ don’t want to use fishsauce and honey, what do recommend as substitutes?

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      June 20, 2018 at 9:44 am

      A salty broth made, preferably, with mushrooms and a hint of soy sauce should be a perfect substitute.

      Reply
  12. Desi says

    April 21, 2018 at 7:00 am

    4 stars
    The tofu tasted deliciously, I can’t really describe it other than cake-like. I marinated it in sauce for 1 hour. I also didn’t add any veggies. Since I didn’t have the noodles, I replaced it with thin linguini. I don’t think it worked as well because the pasta didn’t absorb the sauce. I highly recommend this recipe.

    Reply
  13. Richard Seto says

    March 13, 2018 at 7:46 pm

    5 stars
    Easy and fast! Love the sauce, super simple but tastes great.

    Reply
  14. tiksu says

    March 10, 2018 at 12:00 pm

    5 stars
    I have made this two times now. Fast to make and so good. Even my meat lover husband loves this. Great recipe. Greetings from Finland. 🙂

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      March 10, 2018 at 12:01 pm

      Hello Finland! Happy you like the recipe! 🙂

      Reply
  15. LR says

    April 30, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    Just made it, and it’s super delicious! I didn’t have any udon on hand, so I used spaghetti noodles instead, and it came out great. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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