Bella’s Vegan Tofu Katsu Curry (Easy, High-Protein & Delicious)

Bella’s Vegan Tofu Katsu Curry (Easy) – A High-Protein & Delicious Meal

This week, my 19-year-old daughter Bella decided to take charge of dinner — and she didn’t go for something simple. She went all in with a homemade Vegan Tofu Katsu Curry, and the results were absolutely restaurant-worthy. As fall has come to Stockholm, we favor eating more warming foods, and curry is the perfect fall food if you ask me.

I love how Bella’s Vegan Tofu Katsu Curry (Easy) not only satisfies the taste buds but also provides essential nutrients. This dish is a fantastic introduction to plant-based cooking for anyone. Bella’s Vegan Tofu Katsu Curry (Easy) is perfect for family dinners.

Gather your ingredients and get ready to make Bella’s Vegan Tofu Katsu Curry (Easy) — a dish the whole family will love!

Crispy tofu cutlets coated in panko breadcrumbs, served over fluffy rice, and drenched in a rich, mildly spiced Japanese curry sauce — the kind of cozy, nourishing comfort food that makes you close your eyes after the first bite.

And yes — Bella made every single part of it herself.

👩‍🍳 Bella’s Plant-Based Kitchen Adventure

At 19, Bella’s been exploring more ways to cook independent, healthy, high-protein vegan meals. Between school and tons of homework, and life, she’s looking for food that’s both easy to make and genuinely satisfying. Did I mention she is a total foodie?

From pressing the tofu to coating each slice in crispy panko, to simmering the curry sauce until it thickened perfectly — Bella is a pro. The kitchen smelled amazing, full of warm spices, garlic, and golden tofu crisping in the pan.

By the time she plated it up — rice perfectly fluffy, curry glistening, tofu sliced on top — it looked like something straight off a Tokyo café menu.

🍚 Bella’s Vegan Tofu Katsu Curry Recipe

Serves: 2–3 | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes

🧾 Ingredients

For the Tofu Katsu

• 1 block (400 g) firm tofu, pressed
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup plant milk
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
• 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
• Salt & pepper

For the Curry Sauce

• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-inch piece ginger, grated
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 medium potato, diced (optional)
• 2 tbsp mild curry powder
• 1 tbsp flour
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp rice vinegar
• Salt, to taste

To Serve

• Cooked Japanese rice
• Pickled ginger or shredded cabbage (optional garnish)
• Bella served hers with a simple salad but broccoli would also work great

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Press and prep the tofu. Bella pressed her tofu for 15 minutes, sliced it into slabs, and seasoned them lightly.
2. Set up breading bowls.
   • Bowl 1: flour
   • Bowl 2: plant milk + soy sauce + mustard
   • Bowl 3: panko breadcrumbs
3. Coat each tofu slice. Dip in flour, then the milk mixture, coat with panko.
4. Fry until crispy. Bella cooked hers in an air fryer until golden, but it can be baked in an F200 oven as well.
5. Make the curry sauce.
   • Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.
   • Add carrot (and potato if using).
   • Stir in curry powder and flour, then slowly add stock.
   • Mix in soy sauce, maple syrup, and vinegar. Simmer until thick.
6. Assemble and serve. Spoon rice into bowls, pour over curry sauce, and top with crispy tofu cutlets.

🌟 What Makes This Recipe Great

✅ Perfect for students & young adults – affordable, filling, and easy to make.

✅ High-protein & 100% vegan – tofu brings over 35g of protein per block.

✅ Crispy + creamy – the texture contrast is pure comfort.

✅ Customizable – swap tofu for seitan, tempeh, or even cauliflower!

💚 Cooking Confidence for Young Adults

That’s exactly what plant-based cooking is all about — simple, nourishing food that’s kind to your body, the planet, and your wallet.

Watching Bella confidently plate up her own creation was such a proud moment — a reminder that cooking is one of the most empowering skills a young adult can have.

If you want to learn more about zero waste and eating on a budget check out my book A practical guide to zero waste for families where I share tons of recipes and tips.