Korean-style Tofu Salad with Brown Rice Noodles & Pickled Carrot

Korean-style Tofu Salad with Brown Rice Noodles & Pickled Carrot

Beat the heat with this refreshing take on bibimguksu, a cold Korean noodle salad, packed with the flavours you love. Slivers of crunchy cucumber accompany brown rice noodles tossed through a sticky gochujang sauce. Crispy tofu provides protein whilst vibrant pickled carrot brings the zing!

6 plants Low sat fat

Serving size

Cook time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Korean
Food group: Vegan
Allergens: Sesame, Soya
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Cooking Instructions

The protein cooking time listed in this recipe has been updated.

As of December 2025, we’ve revised cooking times for all our proteins to reflect improved food safety guidance.

Check out the latest recommended times in our Cooking Guidelines.

Before you start

  • Pull out a large frying pan, a large saucepan, a medium bowl, a small bowl, a grater & a sieve

Prep & pickle

  • Coarsely grate the carrots (peel optional). Slice the cucumber into 1/2cm half-moons. Thinly slice the cabbage and spring onions
  • Mix the carrot and rice vinegar in the medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper
  • In the small bowl, combine the gochujang paste, sesame oil, juice from the lime and 2 tbsp water. Set aside

Pan-fry the tofu

  • Drain the tofu, pat dry with a paper towel and cut into 2cm cubes
  • Heat the large frying pan with 1 tbsp oil on medium heat. Once hot, add the tofu and cook for 6-8 mins, turning occasionally, until golden
  • Add half the Asian paste and toss to coat. Remove from the pan and keep warm

Cook the noodles & cabbage

  • Meanwhile, bring the large saucepan filled with salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the noodles, gently separate with a fork and boil for 6-7 mins, until cooked. Drain, then return to the saucepan and mix with half the gochujang sauce
  • Reheat the large frying pan with 1 tsp on medium-high heat. Once hot, add the cabbage and cook for 2-3 mins
  • Add 1 tbsp water and the remaining Asian paste, then steam for another 2-3 mins, until the cabbage has softened

Plate up

  • Serve the tofu into bowls, with the noodles, pickled carrot, cucumber and cabbage alongside. Drizzle over the remaining gochujang sauce. Scatter over the sesame seeds and spring onion

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