Name: Sesame Tofu Ramen Noodles Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon avocado oil (or light-tasting oil); 1 block (350g) extra-firm tofu, cut into cubes; Salt, to taste (optional); Pepper, to taste (optional); 3 packs (210g) ramen noodles; 3 tablespoons peanuts, crushed; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds; 1/2 cup green onions (scallions), thinly sliced; 2 tablespoons tahini; 1 tablespoon peanut butter, natural; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil; 1 1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 2 garlic cloves, finely minced or grated; 1 teaspoon ginger, grated; 1-2 teaspoons sriracha

There’s something magically comforting about slurping a warm bowl of noodles, and this Sesame Tofu Ramen Noodles Recipe hits all the right notes with its crispy tofu, nutty sesame sauce, and perfect balance of flavors. It’s everything you want in a cozy, yet simple dinner that feels special but comes together quickly.

A round brown bowl filled with light brown noodles forms the base layer, topped with medium-sized golden-brown tofu cubes scattered across. Bright green sliced scallions are placed on top along with a sprinkle of crushed peanuts and sesame seeds. A silver fork rests inside the bowl on the right side. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, with a small white bowl containing crushed nuts partially visible on the upper left and a crumpled light gray cloth on the bottom right. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sesame Tofu Ramen Noodles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Sesame Tofu Ramen Noodles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Sesame Tofu Ramen Noodles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely excited about sharing this Sesame Tofu Ramen Noodles Recipe because it’s become one of my go-to weeknight meals for its simplicity, flavor, and adaptability. You really don’t need to be a pro cook to pull off something this tasty and satisfying.

Easy to Make: The recipe comes together in just about 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings without sacrificing flavor.
Crispy Tofu Perfection: Pressing and pan-frying tofu gives it that crave-worthy crispy texture we all want in a plant-based meal.
Rich, Nutty Sauce: A creamy sesame and peanut butter sauce brings everything together with just the right amount of tang and heat.
Customizable: You can easily tweak the spice level, add veggies, or swap out tofu for something else — making it truly yours.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Sesame Tofu Ramen Noodles Recipe plays a crucial role in delivering a harmonious bowl of flavor and texture. Here are some highlights and tips when shopping or prepping:

Flat lay of a block of extra-firm tofu cut into cubes, three bundles of fresh ramen noodles, a small white bowl of light avocado oil, a small white bowl of crushed peanuts, a small white bowl of sesame seeds, a small white bowl with smooth tahini, a small white bowl with creamy natural peanut butter, a small white bowl of dark soy sauce, a small white bowl of toasted sesame oil, a small white bowl of rice vinegar, a small white bowl of amber maple syrup, two whole garlic cloves, a piece of fresh ginger root with grated texture shown, a few thinly sliced green onions scattered neatly, and one small white bowl containing bright red sriracha sauce, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Extra-firm tofu: The best choice here because it holds its shape well when pressed and pan-fried, forming a crispy crust.
Avocado oil: I like using this because it tolerates medium-high heat well without overpowering the dish.
Ramen noodles: Any fresh or dried plain ramen noodles work, but avoid flavored instant packets to control the sauce flavor.
Tahini and peanut butter: These combine to create a creamy, nutty base for the sauce — natural peanut butter without additives is ideal.
Soy sauce and toasted sesame oil: Classic Asian pantry staples that enrich the flavor and provide a lovely umami punch.
Maple syrup and rice vinegar: They balance the sauce with sweetness and acidity, giving great depth.
Garlic and ginger: Fresh is best here for that bright, aromatic flavor that wakes up the sauce.
Sriracha: Adds a gentle kick, but feel free to adjust to your heat preference.
Peanuts, sesame seeds, green onions: These finishing touches bring texture, crunch, and freshness to every bite.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Sesame Tofu Ramen Noodles Recipe is how easy it is to adapt based on what you have in your kitchen or your flavor preferences. I’ve played around with several tweaks that really work well.

Variation: I sometimes swap out tofu for tempeh or seitan for a different texture, and it’s just as delicious! You can also add steamed broccoli or sautéed bok choy for extra greens.
Heat adjustment: If you’re spice shy, just lighten the sriracha or skip it completely. Want more kick? Double the sriracha or add a pinch of chili flakes.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sesame Tofu Ramen Noodles Recipe

A white pan with green handles holds about thirty small golden-yellow cubes of tofu spread out evenly inside it. A woman's hand is pouring a thick dark brown sauce from a small bowl onto the tofu, with the sauce pooling on one side of the pan. The pan rests on a light gray cloth on a white marbled surface. Fresh green sliced scallions and a bowl with chopped nuts sit nearby on the surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Press and Crisp Your Tofu

For that perfect crispy tofu, start by pressing the tofu for 15 minutes to remove excess water — I use a tofu press, but a stack of plates works fine too. This step really helps the tofu crisp up beautifully when cooked. Heat a tablespoon of avocado oil over medium heat in a large skillet, then add your cubed tofu. Cook on one side for about 7-8 minutes until golden and crispy, flip, and give it another 4-5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper as you go. The texture here is what makes this dish so satisfying!

Step 2: Cook Ramen Noodles

While tofu is crisping, bring a medium pot of water to a boil and cook your ramen noodles following the package instructions — usually about 3-4 minutes. Drain well and set aside. Using plain noodles allows the sauce to shine without extra sodium or flavors interfering.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Sauce

This is where the magic happens! In a small bowl, whisk tahini, natural peanut butter, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, maple syrup, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sriracha until smooth. Adjust the spice or sweetness to taste — a quick taste test goes a long way.

Step 4: Combine and Toss

Pour the sauce directly into the skillet with your crispy tofu over low heat, then add the cooked ramen noodles. Toss gently so every noodle and tofu piece gets coated in that luscious sauce — you want to avoid breaking up the tofu too much here. Once well combined, you’re ready to plate.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Top your bowls with crushed peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, and sliced green onions for texture and freshness. I always sneak a little extra sriracha in mine too. Then grab your chopsticks and dig in!

Top Tip

After messing around in the kitchen, I realized a few key tricks that really make the Sesame Tofu Ramen Noodles Recipe shine — I’m sharing these so you can skip the trial and error and jump straight to deliciousness.

Pressing Tofu: Don’t skip this step if you want crispy tofu! Even just 15 minutes pressing can totally change the texture.
Low and Slow for Sauce: When you add the sauce to the skillet, keep the heat low so the peanut and tahini don’t separate or burn.
Fresh Ginger and Garlic: Using freshly grated ginger and minced garlic makes a huge flavor difference over powders or pre-minced options.
Don’t Overcook Noodles: Slightly undercook your ramen noodles by 30 seconds, as they’ll keep softening when mixed with the hot sauce.

How to Serve Sesame Tofu Ramen Noodles Recipe

Sesame Tofu Noodles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for fresh, bright garnishes on this dish — mixing crunchy crushed peanuts with nutty sesame seeds and sharp green onions adds real dimension. Sometimes I’ll add a sprinkle of toasted nori flakes or a squeeze of lime juice to brighten things up even further.

Side Dishes

To keep the meal balanced, I like pairing this with a crisp cucumber salad or some quick pickled radishes. Steamed edamame or simple garlic sautéed greens are also great sides that add freshness and extra nutrients.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party or just to mix things up, I’ve served this Sesame Tofu Ramen Noodles Recipe in cute individual bowls layered with colorful veggies like shredded carrots, purple cabbage, and thinly sliced bell peppers. Garnishing with edible flowers or fresh herbs like cilantro makes it feel extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Sesame Tofu Ramen noodles keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually store the garnishes separately to keep them fresh and crunchy when I reheat.

Freezing

While you can freeze the tofu and noodles, I’ve found that freezing changes their texture a bit, especially the tofu losing crispiness. I recommend freezing only if you’re in a pinch, and then reheating gently to preserve what you can.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm the noodles and tofu in a skillet on low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed. Microwaving works but can make the tofu softer, so stovetop reheating keeps things tastier.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of noodles for this recipe?

Absolutely! While ramen noodles are traditional and absorb the sauce well, you can substitute soba noodles, udon, or even rice noodles depending on your preference or dietary needs. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.

How do I get my tofu extra crispy?

Pressing tofu to remove excess water is key before pan-frying. Use a heavy object or tofu press for about 15 minutes. Also, make sure your skillet and oil are hot before adding the tofu cubes, and avoid crowding the pan to allow even crisping.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative, and choose gluten-free noodles like rice noodles or certified gluten-free ramen. Just ensure all other ingredients, especially sauces, are labeled gluten-free.

How spicy is this Sesame Tofu Ramen Noodles Recipe?

It’s mildly spicy thanks to the sriracha, but you can easily adjust the heat to your liking by adding more, less, or skipping it altogether. The dish balances flavors without overwhelming heat, making it approachable for many palates.

Final Thoughts

This Sesame Tofu Ramen Noodles Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen repertoire because it manages to be comforting and exciting all at once. It’s the kind of dish I happily come back to again and again, knowing I’ll get that crispy tofu and luscious sesame sauce every time. I hope you give it a try and find yourself loving it just as much as I do — trust me, it’s worth it!