Vegan Chicken Tonkatsu
Indulge in the crispy, golden perfection of Vegan Chicken Tonkatsu, a plant-based twist on the classic Japanese favorite! This recipe transforms humble extra-firm tofu into a luscious, meaty alternative, marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic powder to deliver depth of flavor. Coated in a crunchy panko breadcrumb crust and pan-fried to perfection, it offers the signature texture of traditional tonkatsu without a trace of animal products. Paired with a homemade vegan tonkatsu sauce—a tangy and umami-rich blend of ketchup, soy sauce, mirin, and vegan Worcestershire sauce—this dish is an irresistible combination of crispy, savory, and sweet. Serve it with steamed rice and shredded cabbage for a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal that’s 100% vegan and ready in just 40 minutes. Perfect for tofu lovers and Japanese cuisine enthusiasts alike, this recipe is a crowd-pleasing addition to your plant-based repertoire!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams extra-firm tofu
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 100 grams all-purpose flour
- 120 milliliters unsweetened plant-based milk (such as soy or almond)
- 150 grams panko breadcrumbs
- 200 milliliters vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (vegan)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
Press the tofu to remove excess water. Wrap it in a clean kitchen towel, place something heavy on top, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
After pressing, slice the tofu into 4 equal slabs.
In a shallow dish, mix 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic powder. Marinate the tofu slices in this mixture for about 10 minutes.
Set up your breading station: place flour in one bowl, plant-based milk in another, and panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
Coat each tofu slice first in the flour, then dip into the plant-based milk, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs. Ensure each piece is fully covered.
Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat until it reaches about 180°C (350°F).
Carefully place the breaded tofu slices into the hot oil and fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
While the tofu is frying, make the tonkatsu sauce by mixing ketchup, vegan Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, mirin, and sugar in a small bowl until smooth.
Serve the vegan chicken tonkatsu hot, drizzled with tonkatsu sauce, alongside steamed rice and shredded cabbage if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3354 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 228.6 g | 293% | |
| Saturated Fat | 32.5 g | 162% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 119.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3397 mg | 148% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 238.7 g | 87% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.3 g | 62% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.7 g | ||
| Protein | 95.2 g | 190% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 1701 mg | 131% | |
| Iron | 23.0 mg | 128% | |
| Potassium | 1172 mg | 25% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
