Singapore Noodles with Pan-Fried Tofu Recipe By Oh My Veggies.com (2024)

Published: Mar 4, 2015 · by Nicole · Updated: Jan 10, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links.

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I don't cook with curry powder nearly enough, and I’m reminded of that fact every time I do use it. Because you’ve got so many spices mingling in one blend, it doesn’t take much else to make a dish delicious. That’s why I love Singapore noodles. Clarification: that’s why I love to make Singapore noodles. The fact that I love to eat Singapore noodles should require no explanation. I’ve ordered the dish dozens of times in restaurants, always thinking it had to be really complex, because it’s such an amazing array of flavors and textures. All that complexity is actually in the curry powder. One spice, which is actually a blend of a bunch of spices, all powdered up and ready to sprinkle on your food and transform it into something delicious. That’s what curry powder is, and that’s exactly what it does to these Singapore noodles.

Madras curry powder is the variety I opted to use in this dish. It’s a particularly spicy blend, resulting from the copious amounts of chili powder contained therein. I happen to like spicy, but if you don’t, I’m sure any basic curry powder would be equally delicious.

So, just how simple is this dish? It's about as basic as a simple veggie stir fry. In fact, it is a simple veggie stir fry, just with noodles and curry powder. The noodles require just a short soaking time, so it doesn't take as long as manyother pasta dishes do. After soaking, they're stir fried with the veggies and curry powder, along with a little garlic, ginger and soy sauce. I added a little turmeric, which, I’ll be totally honest and say was for the heightened yellow color it adds(because that’s the Singapore noodles trademark, right?). For the veggies I decided to go with napa cabbage for crunch, and red bell peppers for just a touch of sweetness, and for heft and protein I threw in some pan-fried tofu.

Recipe

Singapore Noodles with Pan-Fried Tofu

This vegetarian take on Singapore noodles is made with spicy curried rice noodles, stir fried with crunchy napa cabbage and red bell pepper slices.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian

Diet: Vegetarian

Keyword: Singapore Noodles with Pan-Fried Tofu, vegetarian noodles, vegetarian Singapore noodles

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 268kcal

Author: Oh My Veggies

Ingredients

8 ounces rice vermicelli noodles
4 green onions
3 tablespoons grapeseed oil or other neutral flavored vegetable oil, divided
1 pound extra firm tofu drained, pressed at least 20 minutes and cut into 1-inch cubes
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
3 garlic cloves minced
2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
1 red bell pepper sliced into strips
3 cups shredded napa cabbage
2 tablespoons Madras curry powder
½ teaspoon turmeric
2 tablespoons soy sauce
¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Remove from heat. Submerge the noodles in the water and soak until al dente, about 3 minutes (but refer to package instructions). Drain the noodles in a colander and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
Separate the white and green parts of the green onions. Finely chop the white parts, then cut green parts into 1-inch sections. Set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the tofu cubes and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, flipping once or twice to achieve browning on multiple sides. Transfer the tofu cubes to a paper towel-lined plate.
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to the skillet. Raise the heat to medium-high. Add the white parts of the green onions, garlic, ginger and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add the napa cabbage and continue to stir-fry until wilted, about 1 minute. Sprinkle with curry powder and turmeric. Stir fry another 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add the noodles and soy sauce. Stir fry 1 minute more, using a fork to separate noodles. Add the cilantro, remaining green onions and tofu cubes. Use a fork to distribute ingredients evenly and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
Remove from heat. Divide the noodles onto plates and serve.

Notes

For a less spicy version, replace some or all of the Madras curry powder with a milder curry powder. For a spicier version, add a few teaspoonfuls of Asian chili paste.

Nutrition

Calories: 268kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 12gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 596mgPotassium: 499mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1330IUVitamin C: 57mgCalcium: 114mgIron: 3mg

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
March 04, 2015 at 10:32 am

I agree, I always kind of forget about curry powder, but when I use it I love it! The pan fried tofu in this is calling to me! : )
Reply
- Because Yum says
  March 05, 2015 at 1:41 pm
  
  My 14-year-old daughter has decided that fried tofu is her favorite food and I've got some extra firm in the fridge just waiting for a good recipe. This is truly serendipity!
  Reply
  - Alissa says
    March 05, 2015 at 6:51 pm
    
    Nice! I hope you get to try this dish out with your tofu, and I hope you and your daughter enjoy it. 🙂
    Reply
- Alissa says
  March 05, 2015 at 6:48 pm
  
  I'm glad this recipe reminded me of how good curry powder is! 🙂 I might be putting it in everything for a while...
  Reply
chrysta @ noshed says
March 05, 2015 at 10:53 am

Ive been on a curry kick lately. It is so good. I sometimes get lazy and just sprinkle it on my veggies and rock it out that. This dish is so up my alley!. Looks delish!
Reply
- Alissa says
  March 05, 2015 at 6:49 pm
  
  Thanks Chrysta! This dish definitely set me off on a curry kick of my own!
  Reply
Cathy says
March 05, 2015 at 12:27 pm

This looks AMAZING! I am going to attempt to make this tonight!
Reply
- Alissa says
  March 05, 2015 at 6:50 pm
  
  Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
  See Also
  Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe | The Best Recipe
  Reply
Savita @ ChefDeHome says
March 05, 2015 at 5:51 pm

I'm all for cooking with tofu and this plate of noodles with fried tofu looks so tempting! love that you used Madras curry powder! tempting! would love to try! pinned!
Reply
- Alissa says
  March 05, 2015 at 6:52 pm
  
  I'm all about spicy food, so I love the kick it gets from Madras curry powder. I hope you get a chance to try it!
  Reply
Sylwia says
March 08, 2015 at 1:29 pm

I have a thing for Asian cuisine, specially for all sorts of stir fries recently. I really liked the recipe above. Quick, easy, and yet full of flavours. There are some small changes I made. I added some steamed green beans and I used marinated tofu strips, as that's what I had at hand. I will definitely make it again. 🙂
OMV is one of my favourite websites when I look for inspiration and interesting, flavoursome recipes. I look forward to exploring and trying the new recipes. 🙂
Reply
- Alissa says
  March 09, 2015 at 5:35 pm
  
  This recipe is definitely customizable - green beans and marinated tofu both sound like great additions. I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂
  Reply
Joanne Bruno says
March 10, 2015 at 12:53 pm

Pretty sure I could eat curry powder every DAY and never get bored. I actually don't think I've ever had Singapore noodles though, which is a shame! Must try!
Reply
- Alissa says
  March 11, 2015 at 12:20 pm
  
  Definitely a must try - especially if you're a big fan of curry powder! I hope you give it a shot - and enjoy. 🙂
  Reply
Rachel @ The Conscious Dietitian says
March 10, 2015 at 2:47 pm

yummmmmmm Singapore noodles is an old childhood favourite! Definitely like the looks of it with tofu!
Reply
- Alissa says
  March 11, 2015 at 12:25 pm
  
  Thanks Rachel! The tofu really does pair nicely with the curried noodles. 🙂
  Reply
HY says
May 26, 2015 at 12:46 pm

Although I am from Singapore and this is just totally baffling because there's just no noodle dish called Singapore noodles here. But this is an amazing dish to whip up here on our sunny island! A mixture of multi-racial spices indeed! 😀
P.S. Alissa, if you had not step foot into our tiny island, you would always be welcome to try our diverse range of food! 😉
Reply
- Alissa says
  May 27, 2015 at 2:58 pm
  
  I've heard that this dish didn't come from Singapore. I agree that it's pretty amazing though, so I'm glad it did come to be, whatever the origin. 🙂
  I'm sure you've got some amazing cuisine in Singapore, and I really hope to get there some day and give it a try!
  Reply
- naomi says
  May 27, 2015 at 10:56 pm
  
  same here. I'm Singaporean and I've absolutely no idea what Singapore Noodles is. I had to Google it up ><
  Reply
Sriya says
September 15, 2015 at 7:30 pm

Did any of you actually try this mess? The portions are waaay off. 2tblsp of curry powder and of soy sauce is waaaay too much and the end result was ridiculous. *sigh*
Reply
- Emm says
  September 08, 2016 at 4:38 am
  
  I'm glad that I read this message before I made the recipe.
  Reply
Kelly says
March 06, 2016 at 8:36 am

Is it possible to get the nutrition information for the recipes?
Reply
- Alissa says
  March 06, 2016 at 10:26 pm
  
  Hi Kelly! We don't have the nutrition info on hand, but this is a great tool if you'd like to take a crack at it yourself.
  Reply
Hema says
October 09, 2022 at 11:34 am

Hi
I have been using this recipe for a few years now, I change the tofu to paneer and mix up the veg. Very tasty each time 😃😋
Reply

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Singapore Noodles with Pan-Fried Tofu Recipe By Oh My Veggies.com (2024)

FAQs

Why are Singapore noodles so good? ›

Singapore Noodles taste so delicious due to the combination of spices used to season the dish. Curry powder and white pepper have a distinct flavor that is a little spicy, warm, and savory. When combined with soy sauce and oil they all make for the most delicious flavor.

Know More ›

What are Singapore noodles made of? ›

Singapore-style noodles (Chinese: 星洲炒米; pinyin: xīngzhōu chǎomǐ; Jyutping: sing1 zau1 caau2 mai5) is a dish of stir-fried cooked rice vermicelli, curry powder, vegetables, scrambled eggs and meat, most commonly char siu pork, and/or prawn or chicken.

Discover More ›

What do you eat with Singapore noodles? ›

What to serve with Singapore noodles

wonton soup.
kung pao chicken.
stir fried Chinese broccoli.
sesame noodles.
egg fried rice.

Jan 8, 2023

Learn More ›

How to stir fry tofu? ›

Pat the tofu chunks dry, then season well. Heat half the oil in a wok or large frying pan over a high heat. Fry the tofu for 5 mins until golden, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and ginger and fry for 1 min more.

Learn More ›

What is the difference between Chinese and Singapore noodles? ›

Singapore fried noodle is just stir-fried rice vermicelli with a bit of tumeric added to it. Stir fried vermicelli is widely served in many parts of South China and the tumeric is there to give it a hint of Southeast Asian exoticness (to the Chinese who don't use tumeric in their cooking).

What is the difference between Thai and Singapore noodles? ›

Singapore noodles remind me of Lo Mein or Pad Thai, only there's curry powder stirred into the sauce, so it's slightly spicy, salty, and tangy, with a hint of sweetness. It's not as saucy as a Thai curry sauce, but the flavor is amazing, even without a creamy sauce.

Learn More ›

Are Singapore noodles healthy? ›

Yes, Singapore rice noodles are healthy as they are packed with veggies and very little added sugar or fat. Pair it with some protein for a well-balanced meal.

View Details ›

What's the difference between chow mein and Singapore noodles? ›

Singapore noodle is made of thin rice noodles, chicken, shrimp, roast pork, eggs, and veggies. The main flavoring is curry powder. Once of the biggest difference between the two is that Singapore noodles is made of rice noodles, while chow mein is made with thin egg noodles made of wheat flour.

Read The Full Story ›

What is another name for Singapore noodles? ›

The dish goes by different names internationally including — but not limited to — 'Singapore-style fried bee hoon', 'Singapore rice noodles' and 'Sing Chow noodles', an anglicisation of Xingzhou, Singapore's Chinese name.

Get More Info Here ›

Can you buy Singapore noodle sauce? ›

Everyone loves the mild curry punch and fresh taste of Singapore Noodles. Now you can create this world famous dish at home with our authentic and all natural recipe.

What is the difference between Hong Kong noodles and Singapore noodles? ›

Singapore noodles are yellow in colour (usually), and rest is like hakka noodles. Lots of vegetables and chicken (if it's non vegetarian). It is prepared with thin stringed chowmein. Hong Kong noodles, on the other hand, are red in colour (usually) or brown (according to the frying time).

Discover More ›

Is Singapore noodles spicy to eat? ›

*Singapore noodles is not usually a spicy dish but you can feel free to substitute spicy curry powder or even add some crushed chili flakes with the curry powder to give it a kick.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

Discover More ›

How do you pan fry tofu without it sticking? ›

Cornstarch – This is the secret to the most perfect fried tofu. Cornstarch forms a protective layer around each cube of tofu, which crisps up when added to heat. If you don't have cornstarch, arrowroot powder and tapioca starch also work.

Keep Reading ›

Do you marinate tofu before or after frying? ›

A classic way to spice up your tofu game, this crispy marinated tofu recipe is packed with flavor and so easy to make. Simply marinate your tofu then fry, bake, or cook in the air fryer for beautifully crispy tofu that tastes delicious every single time. Ready in 40 minutes, vegan-friendly, and so good.

Discover More Details ›

What makes Singapore noodles different? ›

Singapore noodles are heavily seasoned in curry powder, which can create a mouthfeel that is gritty or grainy when not prepared properly. My mother, who made Singapore-style noodles often following that trip, humbly brags that her version of the dish is “silkier” than the ones found in many restaurants.

Discover More ›

What is different about Singapore noodles? ›

Singapore Noodle Sauce is made with soy sauce, Chinese Cooking Wine, curry powder, sugar and pepper. It's the curry powder that's the signature flavour in Singapore Noodles. While it might seem out of place in an Asian recipe, it's actually not.

Learn More Now ›

What is the difference between Singapore noodles and normal noodles? ›

Singapore noodle is made of thin rice noodles, chicken, shrimp, roast pork, eggs, and veggies. The main flavoring is curry powder. Once of the biggest difference between the two is that Singapore noodles is made of rice noodles, while chow mein is made with thin egg noodles made of wheat flour.

Explore More ›