If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen the viral creamy spicy noodles made with blended tofu. This simple trick uses soft tofu instead of cheese or cream to create a silky, rich sauce — making it a lighter and healthier option while still feeling indulgent.
I finally decided to try it myself! The original version was creamy mapo tofu udon, but since I didn’t have doubanjiang (Chinese chilli bean paste) or udon noodles at home, I created my own version by mixing Korean gochujang with Japanese miso and using regular noodles instead, and that tastes absolutely delicious.
Some versions season the tofu while blending it, but I skipped that step. Instead, I seasoned the stir-fried pork a little more so the saltiness balances perfectly with the creamy tofu when everything comes together. You can also drizzle some chilli oil at the end to give it a much stronger kick of heat.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make – This recipe takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Creamy without dairy – Blended soft tofu creates a naturally creamy texture without using cream, milk, or cheese.
- Packed with flavour – The combination of gochujang, miso, garlic, and chilli flakes creates a deep umami flavour with just the right amount of heat.
Tips for Making This Recipe
- Use soft or silken tofu – Soft tofu blends more smoothly and creates the creamiest texture. Silken tofu works perfectly for this recipe.
- Adjust the spice level – If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the chilli flakes or gochugaru. If you enjoy extra heat, add more chilli flakes or Sichuan peppercorn.
- Choose your favourite noodles – Although the original viral version uses udon noodles, this recipe works well with other types of noodles like wheat noodles, or even pasta.
- Balance the seasoning – Since the tofu itself is mild, seasoning the pork mixture slightly more helps balance the flavours when combined.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Mapo-Style Tofu Noodles recipe is a fun twist on the viral TikTok creamy noodles trend. Even without traditional doubanjiang or udon, mixing gochujang and miso creates a delicious umami-rich sauce that pairs beautifully with creamy blended tofu. If you love quick comfort food with bold flavours, this Creamy Mapo-Style Tofu Noodles recipe is definitely worth trying.
TikTok Viral Creamy Spicy Noodles / Creamy Mapo-Style Tofu Noodles
Ingredients
- 170 g soft tofu
- 100 g pork mince
- 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
- 1 tbsp finely chopped spring onion
- 1 tsp Gochujang Korean chilli paste
- 1 tsp miso paste
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- ½ tsp sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp Gochugaru Korean chilli powder
- 1 tsp chilli flakes or crushed Sichuan peppercorn for a numbing heat, if available
- Vegetable oil for cooking
- Additional spring onion for garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- Chilli oil for drizzling on top optional
- 1 pack of noodles of choice
Instructions
- Prepare the tofu : Blend the soft tofu until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Mix the sauce : In a small bowl, combine gochujang, miso paste, soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil. Mix well and set aside.
- Cook the pork : Heat a sufficient amount of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the pork mince and cook until it turns white and is fully cooked through.
- Add aromatics : Add the finely chopped garlic and spring onion. Sauté until fragrant.
- Add sauce and spices : Pour in the prepared sauce mixture and stir to coat the pork evenly. Add gochugaru (for colour) and chilli flakes (for extra heat). If the mixture looks dry, splash in 2 tablespoons of water to loosen it slightly. Cook briefly until everything is well combined and slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook the noodles : Cook noodles in boiling water according to the package instructions. Drain well.
- Assemble : Place the cooked noodles on a serving plate. Top with the pork mixture, then pour the creamy blended tofu over the noodles. Garnish with additional spring onion and sesame seeds, drizzle with chilli oil if needed.
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