Ginger Miso Eggplant Noodles

Crispy tofu, mushrooms, and eggplant are tossed with gluten-free noodles and sweet Asian-inspired sauce to make a healthy weeknight summer dinner. Vegan.

ginger miso eggplant noodles ginger miso eggplant noodles

I know I say this a lot here… but my absolute favorite meals are the ones that became something out of nothing. I realize this doesn’t look like quite nothing – some of you (mom) are thinking this looks like a lot of ingredients to happen to have on hand. But I promise… a half opened thing of mushrooms on one shelf, a couple scallions in the bottom left drawer, and these few poor eggplant counting down their last days… were not exactly screaming “yay dinner” in unison.

ginger miso eggplant noodles

“Old me” would have left these things aside, and gone to the grocery store with a brand new list… “newer me” would choose one item, look up a coordinating recipe and head to the store for more stuff. “Newest me” is way to lazy for any of that, but still requires an awesome dinner. Plus I just hate to throw things away.


4.6 from 7 reviews

Ginger Miso Noodles with Eggplant

 
Author:
Serves: 3-4
Ingredients
  • 10 oz brown rice noodles (or soba noodles)
  • A few tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, for the pan
  • 1 (14 oz) package extra firm tofu, cubed
  • 1½ cup sliced mushrooms (any kind)
  • 1½ cup sliced (Japanese or Chinese) eggplants
  • A few handfuls greens, (ie, spinach, kale)
  • ½ cup chopped scallions
  • Sesame oil, for drizzling
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish
  • Sea salt and fresh black pepper
For the sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons miso paste
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons mirin (or sake, or rice vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • ⅔ cup low sodium veggie broth
Instructions
  1. Cook the noodles according to package directions, or until al dente. Set aside. If the noodles are done before the rest of your components are ready, toss them with a little oil while you drain them so they don't stick together while they sit to the side.
  2. Make the sauce: Whisk together the miso, honey, mirin, garlic, ginger, and broth. Taste and adjust seasonings. Set aside.
  3. Prepare your tofu by slicing and draining it on some paper towels. Dab the tofu to remove excess water.
  4. Cook the tofu: Heat oil in a large skillet. Get your pan screaming hot and add the tofu. Leave it for 30 seconds or a minute, then toss it around, stir frying for a few more minutes until it is nice and golden. Remove the tofu from the pan and set aside.
  5. Cook the mushrooms and eggplant: Using the same pan as the tofu (wipe out any burnt parts), add some more oil, heat the pan up again and add in the mushrooms and eggplant. Add just a little splash of the sauce (you'll add the rest at the end). Stir fry until browned and the mushrooms are soft. The time will vary depending on the heat of your stove, I cooked mine for a total of 8-10 minutes.
  6. Turn the heat to low, add the noodles to the pan, and drizzle in more of the sauce. You might not use all of it (and it's on the sweet side), so start with about half, adding more later as you taste. Add the tofu back into the pan along with a few handfuls of greens and the scallions and toss everything together. Taste and add more of the sauce, or salt and pepper if you wish.
  7. Remove from heat and serve, finishing with a drizzle of sesame oil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

 

28 comments

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Rate this recipe (after making it):  

  1. Stephanie Roberts
    10.01.2021

    So easy and so good! I happen to have all these things on hand and they needed to get used. Didn’t have tofu so doubled the eggplant and mushrooms. Thank you again for another great recipe!!

  2. Sheila Ames
    08.09.2021

    I made this exactly as written, almost. I used more eggplant because I’m inundated, and I used the globe style because my Japanese type didn’t do well. It is amazing. It is going in my collection of recipes that I will make over and over. Thanks!

  3. Jan
    12.29.2020

    Looks like a good recipe. But honey isn’t vegan, so you might want to update it to use golden syrup or maple syrup or something else instead.

  4. Rebekah
    10.11.2020

    This meal was quick to make and absolutely delicious!

  5. Braedon
    03.16.2020

    Made this recipe with my mother. Taste was very bland and not enjoyable really. Would not make this again in the future.

  6. Jennifer
    10.31.2017

    Is there another type of vinegar you can use if you don’t have any of the ones you suggested? I don’t have rice, miring or sake… only red wine vinegar or apple cider…

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      10.31.2017

      Hi Jennifer – I haven’t tried it with red wine or apple cider vinegar – the acv would be a better option than red wine vinegar, but I really can’t say without trying it myself. It’s quite a bit different than rice vinegar.

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Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.