Tofu Donburi (Vegan Teriyaki Rice Bowl)

Donburi, a beloved rice bowl in Japanese cooking, is a go-to for lunch and dinner. For vegans, our top recommendation is Tofu Donburi! Enjoy crispy fried tofu coated in a sweet and savory sauce atop freshly cooked rice—truly delicious! Give it a try!

• This recipe is easy to prepare, making it suitable for busy weeknight dinners.
• The combination of rice, tofu, and flavorful sauce creates a comforting rice bowl.
• You can easily personalize the dish by adding your favorite vegetables!

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Teriyaki Tofu Donburi:

• Use either firm tofu (momen tofu) or extra-firm tofu because they hold their shape well during cooking and are easy to handle.
• Potato starch adds a crispy texture to the tofu pieces. You can substitute it with corn starch, or all-purpose flour.
• Vegetable oil for pan-frying tofu. Sesame oil works well, too.
• Mirin, soy sauce, sake, and sugar for the homemade teriyaki sauce. You can substitute sugar with maple syrup or honey.
• For serving, use Japanese rice, shredded nori, and vegetables. I chose roasted broccoli and carrots, but feel free to add onions, green peas, green onions, bell peppers, or any vegetables you love.

Here are some quick visual instructions! You can go to the printable recipe card below for all the detailed ingredients and instructions.

Step 1:

Press the block of tofu and cut it into small chunks.

Step 2:

Coat each piece of tofu with potato starch and pan-fry until crispy.

Step 3:

Make teriyaki sauce and combine the crispy tofu with the sauce.

Step 4:

Assemble cooked rice, shredded nori, teriyaki tofu, and roasted vegetables in a serving bowl.

Finally, garnish generously with sesame seeds on top of the tofu, and your teriyaki tofu bowl is ready to enjoy!

• Make sure to get rid of extra water from the tofu completely. This prevents it from being watery and helps it absorb the teriyaki sauce better. Follow a simple guide for pressing tofu.
• You can adjust the teriyaki sauce to your liking; add more sugar and mirin for a sweeter flavor.
• For the best experience, serve your teriyaki tofu on freshly steamed Japanese rice.

Store any leftover teriyaki tofu in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within two days. When you're ready to eat, heat it in the microwave.

This recipe is excellent when served with Mushroom Miso Soup, Goma-ae, and Napa Cabbage Slaw.

Mirin adds sweetness and glossiness to teriyaki sauce, while sake contributes depth; however, if unavailable, a mix of soy sauce, sugar, and water can serve as a suitable substitute.

Yes, substituting gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in this recipe for regular soy sauce makes it gluten-free.

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More Tofu and Rice Recipes You Will Love

• Easy Japanese-Style Vegan Mapo Tofu Recipe
• Easy 20-Minute Teriyaki Tofu Recipe
• 8 Ways To Enjoy Hiyayakko (Japanese Cold Tofu Recipe)
• Tamago Don (Egg Donburi)
• 18 Easy Japanese Tofu Recipes For Weeknight Dinners

I hope you enjoy this Tofu Donburi! If you give it a try, don't forget to leave a rating to share your thoughts—I love hearing from you!