Vietnamese Sticky Tofu & Mushroom Meatballs

Name: Vietnamese Sticky Tofu Mushroom Meatballs
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 0.9 oz dried wood ear mushrooms (approx. 25g); 16 oz extra firm tofu (approx. 450g); 1 shallot (or ½ small yellow onion; minced); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp ketchup; 1 tbsp sriracha; ½ tsp black pepper; 6 tbsp cornstarch (approx. 42g); 4 tbsp soy sauce; 4 tbsp ketchup; 4 tbsp rice vinegar; 2 cloves garlic (minced); ⅓ cup water (approx. 79ml); cooked white rice (as needed); fresh cilantro leaves (for garnish)

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Are they looking for a protein-packed, quick, and low-fat meal? These Vietnamese Sticky Tofu and mushroom Meatballs are a delicious Asian-flavored twist on a classic. Made using wood ear mushrooms, they have a lightly chewy texture that convincingly replicates meat! As a bonus, they’re quick and easy to make for dinner and reheat well as leftovers. If you love Asian tofu, try this easy Crispy Asia tofu. For a hearty and wholesome meal, pair these Vietnamese Sticky Tofu and Mushroom Meatballs with a side of Delicious Roasted Cabbage Steaks, adding a refreshing crunch to every bite.

Bowl of meatballs on white rice with fork.

I first came across this recipe when I met fellow Instagram content creator and Vietnamese recipe developer Veggie Anh. She inspired me to try new flavors and explore Vietnamese cooking at home. Make sure to check out her blog for more inspo 🙂

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Why You’ll Love These Meatballs
Key Ingredients
How to Make Tofu Meatballs
Substitutions
Storage Instructions
FAQs
Additional Serving Suggestions
Vietnamese Sticky Tofu Mushroom Meatballs
Author

Why You’ll Love These Meatballs

Protein-Packed: Made from extra firm tofu, these meatballs are an effective source of plant-based protein. Each serve has 25g of protein to keep you feeling full!
Sweet and Sour Flavors: these are NOT your classic meatballs, but I mean that in a good way! They have so much flavor using Asian ingredients. The glaze made from Sriracha, garlic, soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar adds a sweet and sour zing to the more subtle flavor of wood ear mushrooms and tofu.
Low-Fat Option: This recipe is entirely oil-free, so it is an ideal choice if you’re monitoring your fat or calorie intake – only 350 calories per serve (excluding rice) and 25g of protein.
Perfect Meat-Like Texture: The lightly chewy texture of the wood ear mushrooms brings a meaty element to these vegan meatballs, so satisfying!

Key Ingredients

Tofu: Extra firm tofu forms the base of these meatballs. I love tofu as it’s an affordable, versatile plant-based protein. Make sure to use extra firm tofu for this recipe. You can get away with firm tofu, but squeeze out excess water before mixing the meatballs.
Wood Ear Mushrooms (Black Fungus): If you haven’t heard of these before, you’re in for fun! Wood ear mushrooms (also known as black fungus) are sold dry in Asian grocers or the international aisle of supermarkets. Don’t be fooled by how small the quantity looks in this recipe – they almost triple in size when rehydrated. They have a mild umami flavor and chewy texture. They look a bit like seaweed when rehydrated – but don’t be put off by their appearance. Mince them finely, and they will add a delicious, lightly chewy texture to the meatballs, replicating the meat’s fattiness.
Cornstarch: an essential ingredient, cornstarch acts as a binder, ensuring the meatballs hold their shape.
Soy Sauce: Infusing rich umami flavor and the perfect amount of salt.
Rice Vinegar: The sweet and sour glaze owes its tangy essence to rice vinegar.

There’s a detailed list with quantities in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here is a shopping list for your convenience:

Bowl of tofu meatballs on white rice, one pierced with a fork

How to Make Tofu Meatballs

There’s a detailed recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here’s a quick overview of how to make the meatballs (with pictures) 🙂

Boiling water poured over a bowl of wood ear mushrooms.

Rehydrate the wood ear mushrooms by soaking them in boiling water.

Somebody crumbling tofu with hands and chopping an onion.

Crumble the tofu and mince the rehydrated mushrooms, shallot, and garlic.

Tofu meatballs being mixed in a bowl and shaped on a baking tray.

Combine all meatball ingredients and shape them into balls.

Combine all glaze ingredients and simmer until thickened slightly.

Comparison of tofu meatballs baked and then glazed.

Bake the meatballs, then coat them in sweet and sour glaze.

Close up of sticky tofu meatballs on bed of rice garnished with coriander.

Serve over rice and garnish with coriander.

Substitutions

For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
If wood ear mushrooms are unavailable, shiitake mushrooms can be used for a different texture.
Customize the recipe by adding vegetables like finely grated carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers to the meatball mixture instead of mushrooms. Or try different spices such as ginger, lemongrass, or Chinese five-spice for added flavor.

Storage Instructions

Store any leftover tofu meatballs and glaze in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can freeze them, too, for up to 3 months, but the texture of the tofu will become slightly more spongey. You can reheat the meatballs in the microwave in 1-2 minute bursts on high until they’ve reached the desired temperature. If you don’t have a microwave, you can reheat the leftovers in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes if chilled or 20 minutes if frozen, or until they are heated through.

FAQs

Can I pan-fry the tofu meatballs instead of baking them?

Yes, you can pan-fry the tofu meatballs for a different cooking method. Heat a bit of oil in a non-stick skillet and cook the meatballs over medium heat, occasionally turning them until golden and heated through.

My meatballs aren’t sticking together? Help!

Sometimes, depending on the water content of the tofu, you may need to add some extra cornstarch if your meatballs are falling apart. Keep in mind they are quite light and not as dense as regular meat-based meatballs, so handle them delicately and brush or stir carefully when coating them in the sticky glaze.

How do I reheat the leftover meatballs?

I find the fastest way to reheat leftovers is in the microwave; heat them in 1-2 minute bursts on high until they’ve reached the desired temperature. If you don’t have a microwave, you can reheat the leftovers in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes or until they are heated through.

Can I cook the meatballs in an air fryer?

Yes, you can! Spray the basket with a little oil to avoid sticking, then place the meatballs in a single layer. Cook at 200°C (400°F) for about 12-15 minutes until golden, then follow the remainder of the recipe.

Additional Serving Suggestions

Noodle Bowl: Serve the tofu meatballs over a bed of rice noodles with stir-fried vegetables and a drizzle of the sweet and sour glaze for a flavorful noodle bowl. This recipe for Bun Cha from Recipe Tin Eats is not vegan but will give you an idea of what I mean! If you want a plant-based option that’s just as comforting, give my Quick Plant Based Pho a go
Taco Filling: Stuff the meatballs into soft tortillas or taco shells, add shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a dollop of vegan mayo for a delicious and unique taco filling.
Dumplings: Try adding these meatballs to your dumplings—just cut them into small pieces, roll them up, pan-fry until crispy, and dip in a bit of soy or sriracha mayo. Easy, tasty, and seriously addictive!
Stir-Fry: Incorporate the meatballs into a vibrant vegetable stir-fry, toss them with your favorite stir-fry sauce, and serve over steamed jasmine rice.

I hope you love this recipe from Veggie Anh! Let me know how you serve them or any substitutions you’ve tried in the comments below. If you liked this recipe, check out some of my other mock meat dishes like seitan roast, chickpea meatballs, or tofu bacon. If you’re looking for another delicious mushroom-based recipe, try the vegan risotto!