Vegan Pad See Ew with Plant-Based Protein

If you’ve ever ordered pad see ew at a Thai eatery, you know that it always comes with a choice of “meat.” So, for vegan pad see ew, that can be tofu or other plant-based proteins. 

I hope you enjoy this easy homemade version of pad see ew as much as we do in our home, where it’s earned a spot in the regular rotation.

The recipe also features Chinese broccoli, a type of green that’s not always readily available; broccolini or regular broccoli are fine substitutes.

Black bean sauce and/or hoisin sauce are both fantastic for giving the rice noodles the brown gloss that makes this dish so appealing.

Plant protein options for vegan pad see ew

This is good with many kinds of proteins. Use a different kind each time you make it.

• Seasoned tofu nuggets (like Hodo 5-Spice)
• Baked tofu, diced
• Plant-based chick’n chunks or strips
• Plant-based shrimp
• Beef-style plant-protein
• Seitan
  

This is one example of the type of par-cooked fresh rice noodles suggested for this recipe. These make the dish even easier to prepare. I find this product at my local natural foods store; look for them in yours or in online sources.

About the rice noodles

Use extra-wide Asian rice noodles. If you can’t find the extra-wide type, the more common wide rice noodles will do (but not rice vermicelli). Admittedly, Asian rice noodles aren’t the easiest to work with. Overdone even a tiny bit, and they fall apart.

I’m still learning to properly cook rice noodles, so the aforementioned par-cooked fresh wide rice noodles have been a game changer for me. These give the dish an authentic touch and make the process so much easier.

Tip: The rice noodles quickly absorb the sauce and can become a bit dry. If the dish stands for a while, or to perk up leftovers, simply stir in a little water to moisten, then taste to see if you’d like to add more soy sauce or any of the other sauce ingredients.

Recipe is from Plant-Powered Protein: 125 Recipes for Using Today’s Amazing Meat Alternatives by Nava Atlas ©2020 Grand Central Publishing. Reprinted by permission. Photos by Hannah Kaminsky, BittersweetBlog.com.

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Yield: 4

Vegan Pad See Ew with Plant-Based Protein

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If you’ve ever ordered pad see ew at a Thai eatery, you know that it always comes with a choice of “meat,” so in the case of vegan pad see ew that can be tofu or other plant-based proteins. 

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

Sauce

• 1/4 cup black bean sauce or hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari

• 2 tablespoons natural granulated sugar

The rest

• 8 ounces extra-wide rice noodles (see note) or one 11-ounce package fresh precooked rice noodles
• 1 tablespoon neutral vegetable oil

• 8 to 11 ounces plant-based protein (see options in Notes), cut into bite-sized chunks or strips

• 2 to 3 cloves garlic
• 6 to 8 ounces Chinese broccoli, broccolini (cut in half lengthwise), or 1 large broccoli crown, cut into bite-sized florets
• 1/2 cup grated carrot, optional

• 3 scallions, cut into 1-inch lengths

• Sriracha or other hot sauce to taste, plus more for passing around

Garnishes (use any or all)

• Crushed peanuts
• Lime wedges

• Cilantro leaves or thinly sliced basil

Instructions

1. Combine the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl and whisk together.
2. Cook the noodles according to package directions. If using fresh noodles, the instructions often say to add them directly to the stir fry pan. However, I find them a bit too al dente right out of the package; I recommend microwaving for 2 minutes with a bit of water in a covered dish, or combining with hot water in a bowl and letting them stand for a few minutes. Either way, drain when tender.
3. Heat the oil in a stir-fry pan. Add the protein of your choice and cook over medium-high heat until golden on most sides, 5 to 8 minutes. When nearly done, toss in the garlic and continue to stir-fry for another minute or so.
4. Add any of the broccoli options and optional grated carrot and continue to stir-fry until both are just tender-crisp.
5. Stir in the noodles, sauce, and scallions and cook just until everything is well combined and hot. Add a little hot sauce (be gentle, you’ll be passing it around) and taste to see if you’d like to add more soy sauce.
6. Top individual servings with any or all of the suggested garnishes, and pass around the hot sauce.

Notes

Plant protein options: This is good with many kinds of proteins. Use a different kind each time you make it.

• Seasoned tofu nuggets (like Hodo 5-Spice)
• Baked tofu
• Seitan
• Plant-based chick’n
• Veggie "Duck" (which comes in cans)

Tip: The rice noodles quickly absorb the sauce and can become a bit dry. If the dish stands for a while, or to perk up leftovers, simply stir in a little water to moisten, then taste to see if you’d like to add more soy sauce or more of the other sauce ingredients.

Here are more delicious vegan stir-fries and pasta & noodle dishes.