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How To Make The Best (& We Mean Best) Plant-Based Thai Noodles

Author:

Jet Tila

October 02, 2024

James Beard–nominated chef

By Jet Tila

James Beard–nominated chef

Jet Tila is a James Beard–nominated chef, television personality, and author.

Image by Ken Goodman / Ken Goodman

October 02, 2024

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Traditional Thai monks are plant-based eaters, so vegan dishes are nothing new to Thai food. The lack of eggs in this version of pad see ew will make the pan a little sticky, so get your pan very hot and keep the food moving.

Don't be scared to scrape bits off the pan as the tofu and noodles are browning so they don't burn.

Vegan Pad See Ew (Pad See Ew Jay)

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

3 tbsp Chinese sweet soy sauce
1 tbsp vegetarian oyster sauce
3 tbsp vegetarian fish sauce or Thai soybean sauce
1 tbsp white sugar (editor's note: you can swap in monk fruit sweetener instead, if preferred)
3 tbsp canola or other high-temperature cooking oil (editor's note: we prefer avocado oil)
4 oz firm, unseasoned vacuum-packed tofu, sliced thin
2 cloves garlic, minced
1½ cups broccoli florets
4 cups fresh rice noodles
½ tsp white pepper

Method

Combine the Chinese sweet soy sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce, vegetarian fish sauce, and sugar in a small bowl, mixing well to dissolve the sugar. Set aside.
Heat the oil over high heat in a large skillet for about 1 minute. When you see the first wisps of white smoke, add the tofu and garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until the exterior of the tofu is lightly browned on the edges. Make sure to scrape any bits off the pan before they burn.
Add the broccoli and noodles, tossing them constantly until the edges of the noodles begin to brown and the broccoli starts to turn dark green, 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the sauce and stir constantly to combine for about 3 minutes, until the noodles soak up the sauce and start to crisp slightly on the edges.
Sprinkle with white pepper and serve immediately.