Plant-Based Chinese Recipes — 中式素食食谱

Noodles & Rice

Iced Soy Milk Udon Noodles — 冰豆乳烏龍麵

When the summer heat kills your appetite, this Iced Soy Milk Udon (冰豆乳烏龍麵) is the answer — chilled bouncy noodles in a creamy, nutty soy milk broth topped with crispy frozen tofu mince and fresh cucumber. 炎炎夏日沒胃口?這碗冰涼濃郁的豆乳烏龍麵絕對讓你胃口大開——Q彈烏龍麵配上花生豆乳湯底,加上酥脆素肉燥,清爽又滿足。

📹 Watch the Recipe

Recipe by 野菜鹿鹿 Veggie Deer

🥘 Why This Recipe Works

Cold noodle dishes are a summer survival strategy across Asia, but this Taiwanese twist takes it to another level. The broth — a blend of soy milk, silken tofu, and peanut butter — sounds unusual but creates an impossibly creamy, nutty base that coats each strand of chilled udon like a dream. It’s rich without being heavy, and the peanut adds a subtle depth that makes you wonder why no one thought of this before.

The magic doesn’t stop there. Frozen tofu (凍豆腐) is crumbled and dry-fried until golden and crispy, turning it into a savory, crunchy “meat floss” (素肉燥) that adds texture and umami. It’s the kind of resourceful cooking that defines great vegan Chinese home cooking — turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

This version: 10 ingredients, no stove required for the broth, 20 minutes.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Soup Base

Soy milk (豆漿) 300 ml Unsweetened
Silken tofu (嫩豆腐) ½ block
Peanut butter (花生醬) 1 tbsp Smooth
Salt (盐) ¼ tsp

For the Toppings

Frozen tofu (凍豆腐) ½ block Thawed, crumbled
Cucumber (小黃瓜) 1 Julienned
Chili oil (辣椒油) To taste For serving

For the Noodles

Udon noodles (烏龍麵) 2 portions Fresh or frozen
Soy sauce (醬油) 1 tbsp For the tofu mince
Mirin (味醂) 1 tbsp For the tofu mince

👨‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Make the Soy Milk Broth

  • In a blender, combine soy milk, silken tofu, peanut butter, and salt
  • Blend until completely smooth and creamy
  • Transfer to a bowl or jar and refrigerate until well chilled

Step 2: Make the Crispy Tofu Mince (素肉燥)

  • Thaw frozen tofu completely, then squeeze out excess water and crumble into small pieces
  • Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat (no oil needed)
  • Add crumbled tofu and dry-fry, stirring constantly, until golden brown and crispy
  • You’ll hear a sizzling sound when it’s ready — that’s the moisture evaporating
  • Add soy sauce, mirin, and a splash of water, then stir-fry until the liquid is absorbed
  • Set aside to cool — it will crisp up further as it cools

Step 3: Cook the Noodles

  • Cook udon noodles according to package directions
  • Drain and immediately rinse under cold running water until completely cool
  • Drain well and set aside

Step 4: Assemble

  • Divide chilled noodles between serving bowls
  • Pour the cold soy milk broth over the noodles
  • Top with crispy tofu mince and julienned cucumber
  • Drizzle with chili oil to taste
  • Serve immediately — mix well before eating

💡 Tips & Substitutions

No frozen tofu? Use firm tofu, crumbled and pan-fried with a little oil until golden. The texture won’t be as fluffy but still delicious.
Can I use other noodles? Thick wheat noodles, soba, or even spaghetti work in a pinch. The key is chilling them thoroughly after cooking.
Not a fan of peanut butter? Substitute with tahini (sesame paste) for a different but equally delicious nutty flavor.
Make it ahead? The broth and tofu mince can be prepared 1-2 days ahead. Cook noodles fresh for best texture.

📊 Nutrition

Per serving (serves 2 as a main dish)

~380 cal · Protein: 18g · Carbs: 45g · Fat: 14g · Fiber: 4g


Iced Soy Milk Udon Noodles — 冰豆乳烏龍麵

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Noodles & Rice
Cuisine: Taiwanese

Ingredients
  

Soy milk (豆漿)
Silken tofu (嫩豆腐)
Peanut butter (花生醬)
Salt (盐)
Frozen tofu (凍豆腐)
Cucumber (小黃瓜)
Chili oil (辣椒油)
Udon noodles (烏龍麵)
Soy sauce (醬油)
Mirin (味醂)

Method
 

Make Broth
    Make Tofu Mince
      Cook Noodles
        Assemble

          Notes

          Chill the broth thoroughly before serving for maximum refreshment. The frozen tofu mince can be made in bulk and stored in the fridge for a week — great on rice too!

          🌱 Why This Dish

          Cold noodle dishes (涼麵, liáng miàn) have been a staple of Chinese and Japanese summer cuisine for centuries. The Japanese introduced udon noodles to Taiwan during its colonial period, and Taiwanese cooks adapted them into their own unique cold noodle traditions. What makes this version special is the ingenious use of soy milk — a staple breakfast drink across Taiwan and China — as a savory soup base.

          野菜鹿鹿 (Veggie Deer), a popular Taiwanese vegan channel, represents the new wave of plant-based cooking that’s sweeping East Asia. Their style is all about making vegan food accessible, creative, and undeniably delicious — no expensive substitutes, no complicated techniques, just smart cooking with everyday ingredients. This Iced Soy Milk Udon is a perfect example: a dish that’s innovative yet deeply rooted in Taiwanese home cooking traditions.

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