Char Siu Tofu Rice Bowls with Pickled Onions
Slabs of firm tofu roasted in a sticky char siu glaze, piled over rice with cucumber, edamame and bright pickled onions.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Char siu marinade. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 + marinating
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.49 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Use your ready made char siu marinade (see the base recipe). Cut each block of pressed tofu into 4 slabs and pat dry.
- 2
Put the tofu in a shallow dish with 60 ml of the marinade, turn gently and leave for 30 minutes. Keep 20 ml aside for glazing.
30 min - 3
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Lay the tofu on a lined tray and roast for 15 minutes, then brush with the reserved marinade, turn and roast for 15 minutes more until dark at the edges.
30 min - 4
Cook the rice following the packet. Simmer the edamame in boiling water for 3 minutes and drain.
3 min - 5
Divide the rice between bowls and top with the tofu, edamame, cucumber and your ready made pickled red onions (see the base recipe).
- 6
Scatter over the spring onions and sesame seeds and spoon any sticky tray juices on top.
Tips
- Pressing the tofu matters. Wrap it in a clean tea towel under a heavy pan for 20 minutes so it takes up the marinade and goes firm in the oven.
- Use extra firm tofu if you can find it. Soft or silken tofu will fall apart.
- The marinade uses honey, so this is vegetarian but not vegan. Swap in a vegan sweetener such as maple syrup in the base if you need it vegan.
Storing and freezing
Keeps up to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed box, cooled within 1 hour. Reheat the tofu in a hot oven or pan until steaming hot, and keep the pickled onions and rice separate.
Questions
Can I make it vegan?
Not with the standard marinade, because it contains honey. Make the base with maple syrup or agave in place of honey and it works well.
Can I use tempeh or halloumi?
Tempeh works if you buy a gluten free one and steam it for 10 minutes first. Halloumi works too but is salty, so go easy on tamari elsewhere.
Can I prepare it ahead?
Yes. Marinate the tofu overnight and keep the bowls ingredients in separate boxes. Roast the tofu fresh for best texture.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Tostadas de Carnitas (Crisp Pork Tostadas with Pickled Onions)
DFEFNFPanuchos Yucatecos (Stuffed Fried Tortillas with Chicken)
DFEFNFTacos de Lentejas al Chipotle (Smoky Chipotle Lentil Tacos)
VGVDFCostillas de Res al Guajillo con Frijoles Refritos (Guajillo Braised Beef Short Ribs)
DFEFNFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.