If you’re craving a comforting bowl that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening, this Easy Vegan Ramen with Crispy Tofu and Miso-Roasted Vegetables Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s packed with umami-rich mushroom broth, perfectly crispy tofu cubes, and sweet, nutty miso-glazed vegetables that bring layers of flavor and texture together in one soulful, plant-based bowl. Whether you’re a longtime vegan or just looking for a hearty, nourishing meal that warms the soul, this recipe will quickly become one of your favorites to whip up again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A large silver pot on a white marbled surface with a white and blue striped cloth under it contains sliced onions and ginger pieces being cooked. The onions are thick, white to light yellow, some with slight browning on the edges, and are spread unevenly in the pot. A wooden spoon with darkened edges is stirring the vegetables inside the pot. The pot's inside surface shows small browned bits from cooking. The background is simple and bright, focusing attention on the pot and its contents. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients make this dish shine, each playing a crucial role to deliver that ultimate taste, texture, and vibrant color we love in ramen. Gathering these essentials might surprise you with how easy it is to create complex, delicious flavors from just a handful of pantry staples and fresh veggies.

  • Grape seed or avocado oil: A neutral oil perfect for sautéing without overpowering flavors.
  • Garlic: Adds warmth and depth, infusing the broth with its aromatic punch.
  • Fresh ginger: Gives the broth a bright, slightly spicy zing that wakes up the palate.
  • Yellow onion: Caramelizes slightly for richness and a natural sweetness in the broth.
  • Vegetable stock: The flavorful base for a rich, earthy mushroom broth.
  • Tamari or soy sauce: Injects umami and salty depth, essential for authentic ramen flavor.
  • Dehydrated shiitake mushrooms: Add incredible mushroom umami to deepen the broth’s character.
  • Miso paste: The secret to that gorgeous, savory complexity and slight sweetness in the broth.
  • Toasted sesame oil: Provides a nutty aroma and flavor kick, enhancing the finished soup.
  • Ramen noodles: The chewy, tender base that soaks up all the wonderful broth. (Gluten-free if preferred!)
  • Extra-firm tofu: Gets flash-fried to golden, crispy perfection adding texture and protein.
  • Miso-glazed carrots and baby bok choy: Sweet, savory, and tender roasted veggies that brighten the bowl.
  • Green onion: For a fresh, crunchy garnish that livens every bite.

How to Make Easy Vegan Ramen with Crispy Tofu and Miso-Roasted Vegetables Recipe

Step 1: Build Your Flavorful Mushroom Broth

Start by heating your oil in a large pot and sauté the garlic, ginger, and onion. This initial step creates a flavor-packed foundation that will deepen as the broth simmers. Browning the onions slightly adds natural sweetness that balances the savory ingredients to come.

Step 2: Deglaze and Simmer

Pour in a cup of vegetable broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up those golden bits stuck to the bottom—every bit of flavor counts! Then add the remaining broth, tamari, and dehydrated shiitake mushrooms, bringing it all to a simmer before lowering the heat to gently cook for at least an hour. This slow cooking time allows the broth to develop that irresistible umami depth.

Step 3: Finish the Broth with Miso and Sesame

Once your broth has simmered and developed its rich flavors, stir in the miso paste and toasted sesame oil. These last additions create that classic ramen savory-sweet balance, seasoning your broth to perfection.

Step 4: Prepare the Toppings: Miso-Roasted Vegetables and Crispy Tofu

While the broth simmers, roast miso-glazed carrots and baby bok choy for a tender, caramelized vegetable punch. Then, flash-fry cubes of pressed extra-firm tofu coated in cornstarch until golden and irresistibly crispy. These toppings add contrasting textures and bring beautiful color to your bowl.

Step 5: Cook the Ramen Noodles

Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions—usually just 4 to 5 minutes. Drain them and set aside, ready to soak up all that scrumptious broth.

Step 6: Assemble and Serve Your Masterpiece

Strain the broth, reserving the mushrooms (and onions or ginger if you like). Divide noodles among bowls, ladle the sumptuous broth on top, then crown each bowl with your crispy tofu, miso-roasted veggies, green onions, and mushrooms. For a final exciting kick, offer some chili garlic sauce on the side if you like things spicy.

How to Serve Easy Vegan Ramen with Crispy Tofu and Miso-Roasted Vegetables Recipe

The image shows three white bowls filled with a clear broth soup on a white marbled surface. The front bowl has three layers: at the base are light yellow noodles floating in the clear soup, topped with golden-brown fried tofu pieces on the left side, grilled green leafy vegetables at the bottom, two dark brown mushroom caps on the right, and bright red carrot slices scattered with green scallion rings on top. The middle bowl behind it contains similar ingredients with tofu, mushrooms, leafy greens, and carrots all visible above the broth. The third bowl on the right edge shows mainly the red carrot slices and green scallion rings on top. Each bowl is accompanied by a white spoon resting beside it. The colors are fresh and warm, with textures from the crispy tofu to the smooth broth and soft vegetables. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh chopped green onions add a crisp brightness and a pop of color that lights up each bowl. You can also sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or add a few strips of nori for a sea-salty punch. These little extras bring texture and a visual wow factor that make every slurp more delicious.

Side Dishes

Pair your ramen with crunchy pickled vegetables or a simple Asian-inspired salad of cucumber and sesame to refresh your palate. A side of steamed edamame sprinkled with sea salt is another fantastic, easy-to-prepare dish that complements the richness of the broth perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve this Easy Vegan Ramen with Crispy Tofu and Miso-Roasted Vegetables Recipe in deep ceramic bowls to keep your soup warm longer and create a cozy ambiance. For a fun twist, place toppings in separate bowls so guests can customize their ramen experience. Adding freshly cracked black pepper or a squeeze of lime adds an unexpected brightness that makes the dish uniquely yours.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can keep leftover broth refrigerated for up to five days in an airtight container, making it easy to reheat for a quick meal. Store noodles, tofu, and vegetables separately to prevent sogginess, then assemble fresh when you’re ready to enjoy.

Freezing

The broth freezes beautifully for up to one month, enabling you to have a flavorful base ready at a moment’s notice. Freeze in portioned containers for quick thawing, and remember to prepare fresh noodles and toppings for the best texture.

Reheating

When reheating, warm the broth gently on the stove until steaming but not boiling to preserve flavor. Add freshly cooked noodles, tofu, and vegetables just before serving so everything stays vibrant and satisfying.

FAQs

Can I use regular soy sauce instead of tamari?

Absolutely! Regular soy sauce works fine if you are not gluten-sensitive, though tamari is a great gluten-free option and has a slightly smoother taste.

What can I substitute for shiitake mushrooms if I can’t find them?

Dried porcini mushrooms or cremini mushrooms make excellent alternatives, imparting a similar earthy umami flavor to your broth.

How do I make my tofu extra crispy?

Press the tofu well to remove excess moisture, then coat lightly with cornstarch before frying. Cook in hot oil without moving it too soon so it forms a golden crust.

Can I make this ramen gluten-free?

Yes! Use gluten-free ramen noodles or even substitute with rice noodles or other gluten-free pasta options for a safe and tasty bowl.

Is it possible to prepare the miso-roasted vegetables ahead?

Definitely. You can roast the carrots and baby bok choy a day ahead and store them in the fridge. Reheat gently or serve at room temperature to preserve their flavor and texture.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Easy Vegan Ramen with Crispy Tofu and Miso-Roasted Vegetables Recipe enough if you want a bowl that’s both soul-soothing and packed with exciting flavors. The balance between the savory broth, the crispy tofu, and the glazed vegetables creates such a cozy eating experience. Give it a try soon—you might just find your new go-to comfort meal!

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Easy Vegan Ramen with Crispy Tofu and Miso-Roasted Vegetables Recipe

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4.3 from 15 reviews

Easy Vegan Ramen is a flavorful, hearty, and satisfying plant-based dish featuring a rich one-pot mushroom broth, crispy pan-fried tofu, miso-roasted vegetables, and gluten-free ramen noodles. With just 10 main ingredients and several optional toppings, this recipe delivers a nourishing and delicious vegan meal inspired by Japanese flavors that can be prepared mostly on the stovetop.

  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Entrée, Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Japanese-Inspired, Chinese-Inspired, Gluten-Free, Vegan
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Broth and Soup Base

  • 1 Tbsp grape seed or avocado oil
  • 5 cloves garlic, roughly chopped (about 2 1/2 Tbsp or 18 g)
  • 1 3-inch piece ginger, peeled and diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped
  • 6 cups vegetable stock (DIY or store-bought)
  • 2 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce (plus more to taste)
  • 0.5 ounces dehydrated shiitake mushrooms
  • 1 Tbsp white or yellow miso paste (ensure vegan-friendly)
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil (plus more to taste)

Noodles

  • 8 ounces ramen noodles (ensure gluten-free and vegan-friendly)

Optional Toppings

  • 1/2 cup chopped green onion (for garnish)
  • 10 ounces extra-firm tofu (for flash “fried” tofu)
  • Miso-glazed carrots (see notes)
  • Miso-glazed baby bok choy (see notes)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Broth Base: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of grape seed or avocado oil, then sauté the roughly chopped garlic, diced ginger, and coarsely chopped onion for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onion develops a slight sear and browned edges.
  2. Deglaze the Pot: Pour in 1 cup of the vegetable broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with a whisk or wooden spoon to enhance the flavor.
  3. Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the remaining 5 cups of vegetable broth, 2 tablespoons of tamari or soy sauce, and 0.5 ounces of dehydrated shiitake mushrooms. Stir to combine.
  4. Simmer the Broth: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer gently for at least 1 hour and up to 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally to deepen and develop the flavors.
  5. Season the Broth: Taste the broth and adjust seasoning by adding more tamari or soy sauce and toasted sesame oil as desired. Stir in 1 tablespoon of white or yellow miso paste just before serving for umami richness.
  6. Prepare the Toppings (30 minutes before serving): Make any optional toppings such as miso-glazed carrots or baby bok choy (see notes), and flash-fried tofu if desired.
  7. Cook the Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the ramen noodles and cook according to the package instructions, usually 4-5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  8. Strain the Broth: Strain the broth through a sieve to remove the onions, ginger, and mushrooms. Reserve the mushrooms and optionally some onions and ginger for serving.
  9. Assemble the Ramen Bowls: Divide the cooked noodles evenly among four bowls. Ladle the strained broth over the noodles. Top with your choice of tofu, miso-glazed vegetables, chopped green onions, and reserved mushrooms.
  10. Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately with chili garlic sauce if you like extra heat. The broth can be stored refrigerated up to 5 days or frozen for up to 1 month.

Notes

  • If ramen noodles are unavailable, substitute with a similar-shaped noodle such as angel hair pasta.
  • For miso-glazed carrots: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 1 cup of sliced carrots with 1 Tbsp miso paste, 1 Tbsp maple syrup, 1 Tbsp tamari, 1 tsp rice vinegar (or lime juice), and 1 tsp sesame oil. Roast on a foil-lined baking sheet for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway, until tender and golden brown.
  • For miso-glazed baby bok choy: Slice bok choy in half lengthwise. Brush with the same miso mixture used for carrots. Sear cut-side down in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly browned.
  • To flash-fry tofu: Press extra-firm tofu to remove moisture, cut into rectangles, toss with 1 heaping Tbsp cornstarch and pinches of salt and pepper. Heat skillet with 1 Tbsp oil over medium heat and brown tofu on each side 4-5 minutes until golden and crispy.
  • The broth develops deeper flavor the longer it simmers, up to 3 hours.
  • Nutrition information is an estimate and per serving.

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