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    You are here: Home / Entrees / Soba Noodles with Tahini Sauce, Broccoli Rabe and Ginger Black Pepper Braised Tofu

    LAST UPDATED: January 21, 2022 • FIRST PUBLISHED: June 9, 2015

    Soba Noodles with Tahini Sauce, Broccoli Rabe and Ginger Black Pepper Braised Tofu

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Savory tofu is braised with a mixture of soy sauce, ginger and black pepper, and served atop a bed of soba noodles with tahini sauce and tender broccoli rabe in this hearty Asian-inspired meal.

    Soba Noodles with Tahini Sauce, Broccoli Rabe and Ginger Black Pepper Tofu

    I'm just about the world's biggest control freak in the kitchen. My husband knows this, and he's apt to point it out on those evenings when I ask him to take care of dinner because "I'm too busy," but there I am, in the kitchen five minutes later, prepping and edging him out of the way. I recognize this. I just have a certain way I like things done, but it's not always the right way.

    I discovered that fact when my husband first served me this dish, shortly after we first got together. Had we been dating more than a few weeks, I'm sure I would have butted in and made things happen my way, but I'm so glad I didn't. Honestly, and I'm so sorry if I sound like a jerk, but there's a little voice in my head that says things like "Hmmm...powdered ginger, when we've got a whole fridge full of fresh?" and "That kale needs some sautéeing." I ate my mental words when the dish turned out to be, like, mind blowingly good.

    Soba Noodles with Tahini Sauce, Broccoli Rabe and Ginger Black Pepper Tofu

    This dish was inspired by the gingery tofu and kale dish that my husband first prepared for me. I was brainstorming on some new ways to enjoy broccoli rabe when that dish came to mind. If gingery tofu and tahini go well with kale, why not broccoli rabe? And why not try noodles in place of rice? I resisted the urge to overcomplicate the dish, keeping in mind my former temptation to do the same to his dish. The tofu is essentially the same, and it's some really good tofu. If you think you don't like tofu, give this version a try. It's super flavorful and would go deliciously in all kinds of dishes. (I've been meaning to throw it into a sandwich.) I did add a bit to the tahini sauce. The original dish used straight tahini, whereas I threw in some lemon and soy sauce here. This is not me being a control freak. This is a result of me taste testing and realizing plain tahini mixed with noodles needed more flavor.

    My husband's reaction was to tell me that this might have topped his original dish. I say they're tied for first.

    Soba Noodles with Tahini Sauce, Broccoli Rabe and Ginger Black Pepper Tofu
    Plate of Tahini Soba Noodles with Tofu and Greens, Chopsticks Perched on the Side
    5 from 1 vote
    Print

    Soba Noodles with Tahini Sauce, Broccoli Rabe and Ginger Black Pepper Braised Tofu

    Savory tofu is braised with a mixture of soy sauce, ginger and black pepper and served atop a bed of soba noodles with tahini sauce and tender broccoli rabe in this hearty Asian inspired meal.
    Course Entree
    Cuisine American, Asian
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 25 minutes
    Servings 4
    Author Alissa

    Ingredients

    • 8 oz. soba noodles
    • 1 medium bunch broccoli rabe about 1 ½ lbs. stems removes and coarsely chopped

    For the Tahini Sauce

    • ¼ cup tahini
    • 1 tbsp. lemon juice
    • 1 tbsp. soy sauce
    • about ¼ cup water

    For the Braised Tofu

    • 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
    • 1 lb. extra firm tofu drained, pressed at least 15 minutes and cut into 1 inch cubes
    • 2-3 tbsp. soy sauce
    • 1 tsp. powdered ginger
    • ½ tsp. freshly grated black pepper

    For Serving

    • soy sauce
    • hot sauce

    Instructions

    1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook soba noodles according to package directions. 1 minute before cook time is up, add broccoli rabe to pot and stir well. Finish cooking and remove from heat. Drain in a large colander.

    Make the Sauce

    1. Whisk tahini, lemon juice and soy sauce together in large bowl. Thin with water until thick but pourable.

    Make the Braised Tofu

    1. Coat a large skillet with oil and place over medium heat. Add tofu cubes and cook about 10 minutes, flipping once or twice, until lightly browned in spots. Drizzle with soy sauce and sprinkle with ginger and pepper. Allow to cook another 2 minutes, flipping once to distribute the spices. Remove from heat.

    Serve

    1. Transfer noodles and broccoli rabe back to pot. Stir in tahini sauce, adding a bit more water if needed to distribute. Divide onto plates and top with tofu. Serve with additional soy sauce and hot sauce.
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    About Alissa Saenz

    Hi, I'm Alissa! I'm a former attorney turned professional food blogger. I love creating vegan recipes with bold flavors! You can read more about me here.

    I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jenn says

      June 10, 2015 at 12:46 pm

      This looks insanely good. You had me at tahini sauce! :)

      Reply
    2. christine says

      June 12, 2015 at 8:34 am

      I am on the biggest tofu kick lately...I dredge it in spices and bake it and serve with coleslaw. Your version looks amazing. I don't own a grill so will have to bake it but I am sure it is still just as tasty. And I have a block of tofu in the fridge right now.....

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        June 14, 2015 at 9:36 pm

        I haven't tried it, but I'm betting tofu baked up with this blend of seasonings would be awesome. :)

        Reply
    3. Kristin says

      August 14, 2015 at 9:01 am

      Hey Alissa,
      I feel like Im stalking you recently! I just happen to like everything you make. I currently have a few tabs open of your recipes! I have some soba noodles I have been needing to use, this is perfect. And your tofu is cooked perfectly. Cant wait to try it.
      I laughed out loud when I read about you being controlling in the kitchen and edging your husband out even though you asked him to cook. I do the SAME thing. Makes me feel a little better about myself. ;)

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        August 16, 2015 at 9:46 am

        I highly encourage that kind of stalking! Glad you're digging the recipes and I hope you like this one. :)
        And I'm soooooo happy to hear I'm not the only kitchen control freak! Ha!

        Reply
    4. Jennie says

      November 11, 2015 at 6:57 pm

      Great recipe! I was in the mood for something different to cook for dinner, and had a package of buckwheat soba noodles that I wanted to use. This is so easy to make and super filling. LOVED the sauce that was drizzled over the tofu (I made extra and put more over the whole dish). THANKS!

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        November 17, 2015 at 6:04 pm

        Awesome! I know, I was totally surprised at how flavorful the tofu came out. Glad you liked it! Thanks Jennie!

        Reply
    5. Amy says

      August 18, 2018 at 8:45 pm

      The ingredient combination is inspired and the recipe sounds great! But why do you call it braised tofu? It's pan fried and then perhaps simmered but not braised. Did you originally braise it?

      Reply
    6. susan schadler says

      March 21, 2021 at 11:21 am

      I think it needs more lemon juice. I doubled the amount and it came out more tangy and lighter.

      Reply
    7. Jen says

      February 10, 2022 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      Cooked this last night and my husband and I both loved it! I baked the tofu cubes instead of frying but used all the ingredients listed under tofu and they came out perfect. I was worried the dish wouldn't be saucy enough but it was plenty saucy and really flavorful. I hadn't used broccoli rabe in an Asian dish before but its various textures were a great fit with the other components. Will definitely make again. Thank you!!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Alissa! I'm a former attorney turned professional food blogger. I love creating vegan recipes with bold flavors!

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